As psychedelic research has evolved, so has the makeup of the psychedelic community. In the ‘60s and ‘70s, they were associated with counter-culture movements and used liberally at music festivals.

In the ‘90s, substances like MDMA became part of the club/rave scene, one that later incorporated ketamine. Today, the psychedelic community consists of people from all walks of life, from suburbanites microdosing for enhanced mood to executives seeking more creative solutions in their work.

Executives are actually one of the fastest-growing groups within this community, and many psychedelic practitioners now tailor their services specifically to high-performing professionals looking for alternative ways to boost productivity or elevate their impact.

The likes of Elon Musk and Sergey Brin have openly spoken about their psychedelic experiences, encouraging more professionals to try them and creating an even greater demand for skilled psychedelic practitioners. (1)

What’s driving this more recent surge of interest in psychedelics among executives? And how can you tailor your services as a psychedelic practitioner to best reach these clients?

The Professional’s Dilemma: Outer Success, Inner Stagnation

We all have dreams and goals, and many of us get so wrapped up in those goals that we lose sight of everything else. Life becomes a race, and we become blinkered to everything but the finish line.

But what happens when we cross that line, achieve our goals, and realize our race has run? If you’ve never been in that situation, it’s easy to assume that you’ll be overcome with happiness—the pieces of your life will suddenly fit together, and you’ll have a fairy tale ending. But that’s rarely the case. More often than not, you’ll just find another race, and another, and another.

According to a Deloitte study, 82% of senior leaders are exhausted, and half have considered quitting. It feeds into a personality type that Lance Dodes dubbed “Unhappy Achievers” in a Psychology Today article. These are the individuals who seem to have it all and keep getting more, yet they are never happy. (2) (3)

That’s why so many executives are turning to psychedelics. They see it as something that can break the cycle, taking them out of the rat race and giving them a new perspective. Psychedelic medicines open the door to something more, and a practitioner can help them to make sense of their experience and integrate its lessons into their life.

Executive coaching in this context works just like any other form of psychedelic coaching. It begins with a supported psychedelic journey—whether through a retreat or another legal avenue—and is followed by in-depth psychedelic integration support. The distinction is that the work may also focus more on professional goals and leadership dynamics.

In truth, though, it all depends on the individual and what they want from the experience. They may have issues in their relationships. They may seek a lifestyle change or want assistance with expanding into a leadership role.

A coach can help to bridge the gap between inner and outer tension, discover what’s holding the client back, and then help them to push through to the next stage.

Coaching Provides Structure, Accountability, and Alignment

At the Psychedelic Coaching Institute, we train psychedelic practitioners to deal with clients from all backgrounds, including top-level executives. All PCI-trained coaches are equipped to guide clients through reflective experiences, challenge old habits and harmful patterns, and encourage them to take a more positive path. The coach isn’t there to instruct the individual on what to do or how to act but to help them realize what’s holding them back and guide them on new pathways that align with their personal truth.

These changes are implemented with precision, ethics, and integrity—aspects that are taught to all PCI-trained practitioners.

Why This Group Needs a Specialized Approach

Executives can be locked into bad habits that are difficult to break, as executive coach Dr. Rachelle Sampson breaks down in Episode 266 of The Psychedelic Podcast. Psychedelics can be the catalyst for that change, but only with the right support.

Many professionals hide their vulnerabilities behind their achievements. They don’t just shelter their emotional struggles from others but also hide them from themselves. If any issues are brought to the surface, they may push them down and justify their actions based on professional achievements.

• “I can’t be depressed when I’m making so much money.”
• “I can’t have self-esteem issues, as I’m at the top of my field.”

The psychedelic practitioner needs to approach with caution and experience, creating a high level of trust, guaranteeing confidentiality, and working with the client to break down those barriers and expose the real issues underneath.

PCI’s training shows coaches how to meet the clients where they are and not force them over to their side. A good practitioner won’t pathologize or spiritualize, and they definitely won’t patronize or try to force their beliefs and opinions. Executives are used to doing things a certain way; they’re used to being the most influential person in the room. They may not respond well if they feel like someone is trying to forcibly change their way of thinking.

Although the integration process for executives is similar to other clients, these nuances can complicate matters and mean that a delicate and finely tuned approach is needed. That’s what is emphasized in the training at PCI courses.

A New Kind of Leadership Is Emerging

Executives often leave their psychedelic experiences feeling more confident and assured. They are ready to make more of an impact in their field or devote more time to overlooked aspects of their personal life. Everyone’s journey and goals are different, but the impactful nature of these experiences and the careful integration that precedes them means everyone can experience a significant change.

Psychedelic journeys can be catalysts for change, and coaches are the guides who support that transformation.

By training with the Psychedelic Coaching Institute, coaches can improve their skillset and offer executive clients an experienced, authentic, and personalized approach. They can tap into an expanding market and learn how to tailor integration containers for professionals looking to climb the career ladder without overlooking their social and familial responsibilities.

To learn more about executive coaching and the impact of psychedelic experiences on professionals, check out Episode 271 of The Psychedelic Podcast, with advice from two experienced executive coaches Dr. Amy Albright & Eric Kaufmann.