Guild of Guides in the San Francisco Bay area
February 26, 2016 11:42 AM Subscribe
After reading Jim Fadiman's new book on psychedelic exploration, I want to locate an experienced guide in the use of psychedelics, oriented towards personal growth and refreshing my relationship to the world.
After reading about psychedelic exploration, I want to locate an experienced guide for my own personal adventure. Fadiman speaks of the Guild of Guides but it seems to be a very loose and secretive organization if indeed it is an organization at all. Any suggestions on how to locate someone knowledgable for a trip oriented around redefining my relationship to life in the light of retirement, aging, dealing with cancer (now hopefully in remission). Possibly someone who uses entheogenics in psychotherapy? I want to become more open, forgiving, and accepting, and reconnect with my creativity. First-world problems I know, but they form the focus of my attention currently. I am a retired mental health professional, a mature meditator, and in reasonably good mental and physical health, with some experience but limited personal experience in the world of substances, and a pretty clear awareness of how my difficult family background has restricted my life choices through most of my life.
After reading about psychedelic exploration, I want to locate an experienced guide for my own personal adventure. Fadiman speaks of the Guild of Guides but it seems to be a very loose and secretive organization if indeed it is an organization at all. Any suggestions on how to locate someone knowledgable for a trip oriented around redefining my relationship to life in the light of retirement, aging, dealing with cancer (now hopefully in remission). Possibly someone who uses entheogenics in psychotherapy? I want to become more open, forgiving, and accepting, and reconnect with my creativity. First-world problems I know, but they form the focus of my attention currently. I am a retired mental health professional, a mature meditator, and in reasonably good mental and physical health, with some experience but limited personal experience in the world of substances, and a pretty clear awareness of how my difficult family background has restricted my life choices through most of my life.
Best answer: www.maps.org is active in the Bay Area and could probably also direct you.
posted by amileighs at 1:34 PM on February 26, 2016
posted by amileighs at 1:34 PM on February 26, 2016
There are also a number of research trials currently recruiting, most funded by MAPS, including one in Marin, if you meet the eligibility criteria.
posted by gingerbeer at 1:47 PM on February 26, 2016
posted by gingerbeer at 1:47 PM on February 26, 2016
Unfortunately, as I'm sure you're aware, all psychedelics, entheogens, MDMA, and related analogs are controlled substances in the US. MAPS is certainly your best shot, though they are currently focused on offering these treatments to cancer patients at the end-of-life stage, and veterans dealing with PTSD.
However, if you are indeed in good health and willing to travel, I strongly encourage you to seek this experience outside the country. There are many centers set up throughout central and south america that focus on the things you mention, that use ayahuasca, various mescaline-containing cactuses, and mushrooms as a therapeutic aid.
If this not not seem unreasonably intimidating, please PM for recommendations. And keep in mind that very often the act of removing oneself from a known environment into one that, though safe, is unfamiliar, can make these therapies far more effective.
posted by ananci at 3:17 PM on February 26, 2016 [1 favorite]
However, if you are indeed in good health and willing to travel, I strongly encourage you to seek this experience outside the country. There are many centers set up throughout central and south america that focus on the things you mention, that use ayahuasca, various mescaline-containing cactuses, and mushrooms as a therapeutic aid.
If this not not seem unreasonably intimidating, please PM for recommendations. And keep in mind that very often the act of removing oneself from a known environment into one that, though safe, is unfamiliar, can make these therapies far more effective.
posted by ananci at 3:17 PM on February 26, 2016 [1 favorite]
Best answer: Seconding CIIS. I used to go to school there (not for therapy though) and they've got quite a bit of academic focus on this sort of thing. Here's their ERIE student group, and here's the parent organization for ERIE.
posted by divabat at 5:23 AM on February 28, 2016
posted by divabat at 5:23 AM on February 28, 2016
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SF Psychedelic Society
California Institute for Integral Studies' new certificate training program for therapists.
posted by gingerbeer at 12:27 PM on February 26, 2016