Psychedelic Integration: Psychotherapy for Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness

by Marc Aixalà, Jose Carlos Bouso (Foreword)

Psychedelic Psychotherapy for Non-Ordinary States of Consciousnes s is a trailblazing guidebook for anyone interested in psychedelic-assisted therapy and integration. When psychologist and psychotherapist Marc B. Aixalá began fielding questions from people around the world seeking help integrating their own psychedelic experiences, he couldn’t find a singular source of collected research and support. What began as an attempt to help others became Psychedelic Integration , a work that traces the evolution of psychedelic-assisted therapy and integration research from the 1960s to the present moment, explains therapeutic techniques and outlines a clinician’s real-world observations on the deep work of healing. Written for practitioners and the generally curious, this book offers 11 metaphors for understanding integration and concisely explains the seven dimensions of integration, which Aixalá sees as part of a process inextricably linked to preparation and the psychedelic session experience.  Grounded in the idea that integration work serves two main maximizing the benefits of a psychedelic experience and dealing with adverse effects, Aixalá maintains that understanding why an individual seeks integration support can inform therapeutic techniques. Psychedelic Integration outlines foundational practices like rest and nutrition, spiritual approaches including water rituals and tarot, embodied techniques of dance and singing, and frameworks including Holotropic Breathwork, Gestalt therapy and integration circles.  The author acknowledges that psychedelic experiences can be difficult and even traumatic, and he confronts that reality with compassion. In this book, Aixalá shares stories and artwork created by some of his patients as they progressed through their own integration journeys.  Psychedelic Integration is an essential companion for practitioners, their patients, and those seeking integration work not as a solution but as a tool for self and collective discovery. 

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Self Help, Audiobook, Health

410 pages, Paperback

Published August 23, 2022

Reviews

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gem which explains in a multidimensional way the importance of proper psychotherapy integration for non-ordinary states of consciousness

[Gabe Fishbein · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal clinicians guide to integration work. Obviously not a pop sci book by any means, this book serves as a toolkit for any psychologist helping patients integrate psychedelic experiences.

[Randy Watz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

This is a fascinating book. Anyone interested in counseling or therapy should read this psychedelic psychotherapy is the future you can help in so many ways from PTSD to addiction. My only hope is that politics do not get in the way.

[David Wagner · Rating 4 out of 5]

The opening intro is quite detailed on the history and context (perhaps a bit too long), at the same time it mostly requires some basic orientation in therapy and therapy adjacent issues.

For me personally, the book could be reasonably split into parts inspired mostly by Grof and parts mostly inspired by Frankl (in a very, very simplified dualistic model).

The parts connected to Grof were a good extraction of what is still reasonable there, but my problem with Grof is that well, I do not consider great majority of that reasonable or even meaningful in any way.

On the other hand, the parts focused on logotherapy, integration, specific integration exercises and quite often a very "down to Earth" approach to problems were very good and interesting. At the same time, there is this weird feeling when the author goes through many well grounded exercises and reflections: and than feels the need to talk about mysticism and shamanism for a while in what really feels like a mention that he felt he needed to do, but do not really advance anything.

[Konsti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have heard that some have found this book too academic or lofty. Having finished it I agree with it being quieter academic. This, however, made the book invaluable to me - especially in a field where so much is based on speculation and anecdotes. A great read, possibly essential for anyone who considers working in the field.

[Helene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will become the bible of psychedelic substance Integration. A very timely written step-by-step guide on how to address what is up to now is the Achilles heel of the Ayahuasca experience. If you are interested in the medicinal use of hallucinogenics this is a must read book.

[Harry Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good introduction and extensive look into the methods an importance of psychedelic integration cross-culturally. Expansive knowledge across multiple substances and key features to note for correct pyschotheraptuic use of psychedelics

[Jackie Berke · Rating 2 out of 5]

Was very interested in this as a licensed professional counselor and a non-abrahamic counselor; It has good information ....but ...it's too dry to read worse than most dissertations. I feel the author was writing just to see his own words and took his own horn

[Autry Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far the most nuanced, balanced, accessible and pragmatic piece of psychedelic literature I’ve come across

[Georg Recht · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pioneers lots of new ideas and summarizes old one.

[R · Rating 4 out of 5]

17th Dec 24 - Audiobook Complete

[SomiadorElegit · Rating 5 out of 5]

Un libro único, completo, y lleno de compasión, amor y sabiduría.
Exhaustivo y magistralmente documentado, une sale de él con muchísimas herramientas y fuentes para continuar profundizando tras una introducción completísima.
Muy interesante el desarrollo de conceptos complejos y clave, así como la atención a la variedad y multiplicidad de las experiencias psicodélicas y sus contextos.
No es una guía de prácticas cerrada, pero si un primer y pionero campamento desde el que dibujar nuevas líneas de actuación en un momento de recuperación del interés en los psicodélicos.