Manual for Psychedelic Guides

by Mark Haden

The Psychedelic Guide Manual describes, in detail the process of supporting someone who is using a psychedelic for therapeutic or spiritual purposes. This manual is authored by Mark Haden (Executive Director of MAPS Canada) with significant contributions from many others who are involved with this field. This is a must-read for anyone who would like to guide someone through a psychedelic experience. Psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and shamans would all benefit from this important knowledge.

Genres: Nonfiction

Paperback

Published October 30, 2020

Reviews

[Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good editor could have cut this book in half and lost nothing. Good basic stuff though.

Set- mindset, beliefs, hopes, fears, personality, culture (internal environment) state of mind. Intention?

Setting- external environment. The experience space should be a symbolic transition. Rituals should be “in sync” w participant values or they can be problematic

Healing comes from within, not from the guide. A good guideprovides a safe witness, a steady container. Contain, dont restrain. They are calm and present in the presence of anxiety. They trust the process, the medicine, the participant, themselves. They do not have expectations. They trust and let the indivs Inner Healing Intelligence work. They dont tell the person who they are. They dont think its helpful to dissolve the indivs ego. They dont dominate. They admit ignorance. They are qualified

Dont say “bad trip” or “psychosis”

Appreciate the shamanic view that the abyss of the consciousness is filled w entities spirits- some beneficial and some harmful, some possess.

A cut finger heals itself, so does the emotional mental spiritual body. The guide is not responsible for the experience or outcome

Transference- the patients projections toward you
Counter transference- your projections onto the patient

Guides “hold space” aka “be present”. They encourage not to resist what comes up. Encourage go”in and through”. The guide is a midwife for spiritual birthing. Guides are a loving presence. Explore without prying.

Trauma occurs when someone is overwhelmed. The event is frozen in time, and can be negotiated, felt, released, let go, transformed. Its a disconnect from source- ones truest nature

Touch when its requested

Staring into eyes can be a deflection from inward work, OR can have utility in unconscious projected material to go onto the guide

Surrender, dont get ahead of the medicine and try to direct it. Facing painful experiences can be a path to healing (if they are up for it and its not forced?)

Those who havent done their own trauma work see the world as victims and abusers and shouldnt be guides. Those who thing they are the sh*t shouldnt be guides.

Red flags for medicine work candidates include:
Narcissists
Severe mental illness
BPD
Dissociation
Severe trauma
Desperate people
People who demonize/idealize past guides/therapists
Suicidal ideation
Parents w psychosis

They and you have to trust them or it will not be a good idea. Always have an intake session

Outline the rules
No sexual touch between guide and participant
No sexual Consensual touch ok
Dont leave the space, neither guide or participant
No self harm , no property harm
Bring objects for personal alter
Its confidential space
Dont do anything huge in the days that follow
Discuss transference
This is not a magic pill
It will offer insights that need to be integrated later
Minsters can be dance partners
You are safe
You have the power to explore where you want to go
The degree of suffering here is equal to the degree of resistance
Be curious abt your fear, explore it
Pay attention to your feels more than tour thoughts
Maintain gratitude
Dont intrude on others in the group
All emotions are welcome. They can be felt but not necc physically expressed

Ideally a male and female guide

Music needs to deepen not distract from the process

Sensory stimulating things can stop rumination loops

Benzodiazepine in emergency

Be aware of spiritual bypassing as an attempt for indiv to avoid looking at their crap

We are with you, focus on your breath, stay with it as much as you can. This is part of the healing. Experience and express these feelings. Move through it instead of away from it

Option to go deeper and resolve or move away and move on

Breathe into the areas of your body where you feel something. Maybe apply light pressure

Maybe they need juice if they are emotionally turbulent

Abrupt endings or being feeling abandoned by guide can open attachment wounds

Integration things:
How are you doing?
What was positive/challenging
How did you intentions manifest
Interactions with others?
Encourage relistening to same music to trigger felt memories
Real work is beginning, integration is key to lasting change
Psychedelics by themselves are not a cure

Dont be friends with participants

Beware compassion fatigue and burnout

[Helena · Rating 4 out of 5]

A foundational book in psychedelic facilitation—I especially appreciate the cute suggestions, such as including a rose.

[Dmitrii · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice quick reference. Most concepts and ideas should already be familiar and known to those who took their trips seriously, but even with that the book affirms some important statements.

[Jayme · Rating 3 out of 5]

Of course this book was written by a guy in Vancouver. I was hoping this would include more/different information or a variety of advice, maybe some case studies. But it really is just a manual. It spends a lot of time talking about set and setting for practitioners who are going to do very specific guided trips in an office type setting.