Michel de Montaigne, a 16^th century French philosopher, said that “saying is a different thing from doing”, sentiments that were echoed centuries later by Mark Twain’s “action speaks louder than words” and Ben Franklin’s “A well done is better than a well said”.

In other words, if you’re telling someone what to do and how to act, make sure it comes from a place of experience. This is particularly important in the field of psychedelic coaching, which is why many coaches believe it is essential to undergo their own psychedelic experience before helping others with theirs.

“Walking the Walk” of Psychedelic Integration

One of the core concepts of the Psychedelic Coaching Institute (PCI) is that practitioners must “walk the walk”. They must experience their own personal growth before helping clients to experience the same.

To become a certified psychedelic practitioner with the PCI, students must undergo three transformational containers.

1.      Learn the Basics of Psychedelic Integration

In the first of the three containers, students spend several months learning the basics of psychedelic integration coaching, including the importance of ethical considerations, proper dosage, harm reduction protocols, and maintaining integrity throughout, while also looking at the historical context and present landscape of psychedelic coaching.

2.      Firsthand Psychedelic Experience at an In-Person Immersion

The second container is a six-day intensive. It’s arguably the most important step, as students are guided through a psilocybin and Temazcal ceremony to gain first-hand experience of working with psychedelics:

• The Setting: The setting for the experience is meticulously planned, paying close attention to set, setting, and preparation. It promotes a positive experience while also teaching practitioners about the importance of preparation.
• The Purpose: Psychedelic integration isn’t like standard coaching. These plant medicines facilitate profound emotional and psychological shifts, and truly understanding them requires first-hand experience.
• The Experience: Practitioners work with a high dose of psilocybin in a safe, nurturing, educational setting. They also experience a Temazcal ceremony, a shamanic “sweat lodge” ritual that promotes healing and purification.
• The Understanding: The consciousness shifts, perceptual changes, and emotional breakthroughs of a psychedelic experience give practitioners insights into potential power of altered states, as well as the benefits of a well-structured and carefully planned experience.
• Community Engagement and Expert Insights: Learning is further enriched through direct interaction with a supportive community of peers and often includes workshops led by guest speakers who offer specialized knowledge in psychedelics and related fields, broadening perspectives and fostering a collaborative learning environment.
• The Authenticity: Practitioners who have sat through their own psychedelic experiences are better prepared to support and advise others. It gives their work credibility and their message authenticity, and it will also make them more empathetic to how clients are feeling along their journey. Practitioners can guide from a place of experience, with a confidence in their own capabilities, as well as insight into what’s possible for their clients.
• The Aftermath: As with any good psychedelic journey, the high-dose psilocybin journey is followed by an integration process, one that makes use of group sharing, connecting to nature, and journaling. Practitioners learn about ethical considerations, harm reduction, and responsible guidance.

3.      Learn How to Work with Clients

The final stage is a six-month course where practitioners will learn how to work with clients (including real-world experience), how to successfully integrate experiences, and how to master the Five Key Elements of a transformative psychedelic experience:

• Assessment: Understanding the client’s needs and ensuring they are a good fit for a psychedelic experience.
• Preparation: Preparing the “set and setting” to ensure the best possible experience.
• Facilitation: Supporting and guiding them through the experience.
• Integration: Taking everything that the client has learned and showing them how to implement those things into their life.
• Microdosing: The benefits and risks of microdosing, as well as the basics of proper dosing and integration.

The Outcomes

At the end of the training, practitioners will have a better understanding of the mind- and mood-altering effects of psychedelics. Their experiences may be eye-opening and could guide them in their future endeavors. Either way, they’ll know what their clients are experiencing and can guide them accordingly.

The Risks of Personal Psychedelic Experiences

Most psychedelics have a low level of toxicity and a low potential for abuse. Psychedelic medicines like psilocybin, for instance, are not habit-forming, and research suggests there is minimal risk of life-threatening complications, even with high doses. (1)

There is a risk of disorientation and paranoia, and with high doses, it’s important that the individual conducts their experience in a controlled setting. But that’s true for any dose range. Everything is controlled, considered, and carefully measured.

The client’s mental state and physical condition are both taken into account and they are properly prepared for the experience beforehand. There will also be therapists or coaches on hand to support them throughout, and as these initial experiences are usually administered in a group setting, there will be others around to guide and support, as well.

Read our Ultimate Guides to Psychedelics for more information about the risks, benefits, effects, and other essential information.

What if I Don’t Want My Own Experience?

Traditionally, a therapist or coach doesn’t always need to know exactly what their patients are going through. You can be an excellent psychiatrist or psychologist without ever having experienced mood disorders, depression, or other clinical conditions yourself. But psychedelics are very different, and while you can read all about bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, and other conditions in textbooks and case studies, it’s hard to attain the same level of understanding about psychedelic experiences.

Every experience is different, and while there are some commonalities, including visual disturbances and mood changes, it’s hard to quantify how these affect your life and emotions. We’re dealing with mind-altering and life-changing experiences, and you can’t truly understand them unless you have some kind of personal experience.

That’s why most courses, including those available through the PCI, include some level of personal experience.

Is it Safe?

A properly conducted psychedelic session is always safe. There are risks, and adverse reactions can occur, but the chance of serious side effects is very low, and they get even lower when those risks are mitigated by proper preparation (assessing the client, preparing the setting, measuring an appropriate dose, providing support).

The preparation involved in the client’s experience will also help them with their own. Not only will they learn how to assess a client, how to set the scene, and why attaining the right mindset is important, but when they sit with psychedelics and experience the effects for themselves, they’ll understand why this preparation is so important and how much of a difference it can make.

If you have any preexisting illnesses, take any medications, or have other concerns about the procedure, talk with your therapist or coach. If there are any potential issues, they may take further steps to mitigate them, prepare an alternative procedure, or advise against the experience.

Experiences from the Third Wave Community

In episode 281 of The Psychedelic Podcast, Third Wave founder Paul F. Austin discusses the importance of group work for psychedelic practitioners before highlighting the importance of “walking the walk” and encouraging individuals to sit in on their own group sessions before they support others.

Here are some key takeaways:

• Practitioners must understand the mind-body connection via their own direct experiences
• As with all psychedelic journeys, proper preparation and integration is essential
• Personal experiences may help with professional development by providing clarity and direction in the coach’s work
• Experiences give the coach  authenticity and may help to support the client and put them at ease
• Both personal and collective experiences are important

If you’re studying to become a psychedelic integration coach and preparing for your own journey, click the link above and listen to the podcast.

You should also check out our community to read reports from coaches who went through their own personal journeys. In this thread, for instance, coach Sean Thatcher discussed being very anxious before their first assisted-ketamine therapy but was happy with the journey, noting their aim is to understand all they can about the field and help to “build a safe and positive community”.

Other helpful resources include this podcast on creating optimal experiences and a blog on preparing for your first LSD trip.

Conclusion: A Giant Leap Toward Becoming a Psychedelic Integration Coach

Are you prepared to walk the walk? If so, you’re ready for the first major step in becoming a psychedelic integration coach. It’s a long process. There’s a lot to learn about psychedelics and coaching, not to mention ethical and legal considerations. But taking that step will ensure you’re ready to guide others through their sessions, paving the way for your future as a psychedelic integration coach.