TRUE NORTH
PSYCHOLOGY
Psychedelic Integration Therapy & Support
Our highly-specialist therapists offer preparation, harm-reduction and integration support and education for psychedelic and other experiences non-ordinary states of consciousness.
The term "psychedelic", on our website refers to both pharmacological and non-pharmacological induced altered states (e.g., deep meditation or breathwork), excluding experiences of psychosis.
Preparation & Harm Reduction Support
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1:1 preparation and harm-reduction support
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Evidence-based education about psychedelics and altered states
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Psychological preparation and intention-setting
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Risk assessment and harm reduction strategies
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Development of support systems and safety plans​​​​
Psychedelic Integration Therapy
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1:1 psychedelic integration support sessions
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Help translating insights into meaningful changes
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Support following challenging or traumatic psychedelic experiences
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Support for after-effects or prolonged difficulties
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Trauma-informed, relational approach​
Education, Consulting & Advisory
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Training for mental health professionals
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Consultation for organisations and researchers
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Evidence-based educational resources and workshops
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​ Harm reduction approach to altered states
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WHO WE HELP
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People seeking to prepare for psychedelic experiences
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Those processing past psychedelic experiences
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Individuals managing challenging after-effects
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Anyone interested in exploring non-ordinary states safely
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Mental health professionals seeking educational training in psychedelic harm-reduction and integration support.
OUR APPROACH
At True North Psychology, we recognise the potential of psychedelic-assisted therapy in mental health treatment when approached with intention and supported by a therapeutic framework. ​​Through individual sessions, groups, and workshops, we guide clients in preparing for and integrating these experiences, transforming insights into meaningful life changes.​​​
How We Support Your Journey
We provide professional support informed by research to help you:
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Before Experiences:
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Prepare safely using harm reduction approaches
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Understand risks and make informed decisions
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Develop intentions and support systems
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Screen for potential contraindications
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Post-Experience Integration:
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Process and make meaning of your experiences
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Transform insights into lasting positive changes
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Navigate challenging after-effects or difficult experiences
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Heal from unearthed trauma with trauma-informed care
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Develop practical self-compassion practices
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Connect with supportive integration communities
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Our Therapeutic Framework
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Non-judgmental, supportive environment
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Evidence-based, harm reduction focused
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Trauma-informed and relational therapy
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Personalised support for your unique needs
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Integrating past psychedelic experiences into ongoing therapeutic work when helpful
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Clear professional boundaries (no involvement with illegal substances)
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Whether you're seeking preparation support, integration therapy, or ongoing psychedelic-informed psychotherapy, we provide ethical, professional guidance to help you navigate non-ordinary states of consciousness safely and meaningfully.
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While psychedelic therapy shows promise for mental health treatment, it's not a magical cure. As interest grows and access expands, we recognize our responsibility to provide ethical, evidence-based support. Our role is to help people safely prepare for and integrate these profound experiences, creating a space for processing and healing that enables lasting positive change - all while working within legal and professional boundaries.
Dr Sara Tookey, Clinical Psychologist, Founder & Lead Integration Practitioner at True North Psychology
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Psychedelic Preparation and Integration Workshop
COMING SOON...
We are currently developing workshop for the general public and mental health professionals who are interested in learning about psychedelic experiences and how one can psychologically prepare for, manage and integrate a psychedelic experience. These trainings/ webinars takes a harm-reduction approach to support the safe use of psychedelic substances and support for individuals who have sought psychedelic-assisted therapy for improvement of mental health or wellbeing.
INTERESTED?
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Defining Terms
What Are Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness?
Non-ordinary or altered states of consciousness (ASCs) occur when our normal patterns of awareness temporarily shift. While often associated with psychedelics, these states can arise through many different experiences.
According to Dr. Dieter Vaitl from the Bender Institute of Neuroimaging in Germany, altered states of consciousness can be divided into Five Main Categories:
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Pharmacological: Induced by psychoactive substances
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Psychological: Through meditation, hypnosis, or music
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Physical: Including dreams, fasting, sex, or sleep/oxygen deprivation
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Pathological: During psychosis, epilepsy, or from brain injury
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Spontaneous: Such as daydreaming or near-death experiences
Additional paths to altered states include:
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Breathwork
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Physical exercise
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Dance
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Sensory deprivation
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Religious/mystical experiences
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Trance states
Everyone experiences these states differently, based on their individual sensitivity and circumstances.
Integration is the process of making meaning from psychedelic experiences and embedding insights into daily life for personal growth and healing. It involves processing and understanding the experience through various therapeutic approaches and practices.
Key Elements:
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Processing visual, emotional, and psychological aspects of the experience
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Translating insights into practical life changes
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Managing shifts in perspective about self and reality
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Working through challenging experiences
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Making sense of confusing elements
Integration Methods:
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Individual Therapy: 1:1 psychedelic integration therapy sessions to explore and process experiences
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Personal Practices: Journaling, art, meditation, nature connection, music
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Group Integration: Community sharing and support to enhance healing through collective wisdom and shared experience
Research shows that combining individual therapy with community support creates the most effective framework for integration, honoring both Western therapeutic approaches and traditional Indigenous healing practices.
Who Can Benefit from Psychedelic Preparation and Integration?
1. People seeking support before experiences:
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Those exploring altered states of consciousness
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Individuals preparing for psychedelic-assisted therapy
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Anyone wanting to approach psychedelic experiences safely and intentionally
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2. People seeking support after experiences:
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Those processing challenging or profound experiences
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Individuals working to integrate insights into daily life
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People managing difficult after-effects, including:
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Existential concerns
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Mood changes
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Anxiety
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Heightened sensitivities
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Derealisation/depersonalisation
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General emotional unsettlement
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Our services help both those preparing for and those integrating psychedelic experiences, with a focus on safety, understanding, and meaningful personal growth.
Integration Therapy vs Traditional Psychotherapy
Integration therapy focuses specifically on processing psychedelic experiences and applying insights to daily life. While traditional psychotherapy addresses broader mental health and life challenges, integration therapy has a narrower scope.
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Key Differences:
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Integration therapy centres on specific psychedelic experiences
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Traditional psychotherapy explores wider life patterns and challenges
Sometimes integration work reveals deeper issues requiring traditional therapy.
When this happens, we can:
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Transition to psychedelic-informed psychotherapy
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Combine preparation, integration, and ongoing therapy
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Adapt the therapeutic approach to meet evolving client needs
Our psychedelic-informed approach allows us to incorporate insights from altered states while providing comprehensive mental health support.
​​Our site provides information for educational purposes only, and is a service to connect people with qualified therapists. Content provided is not a substitute for professional mental health or medical services or advice. We do not offer psychedelic-assisted therapies or access to illegal substances. We cannot help locate psychedelic-assisted therapy, guided sessions, or retreats. We may provide publicly available information about eligible clinical research trials for research participation purposes only. Our therapists provide support which adopts a harm reduction perspective, is aligned with ethical legal and clinical guidance for practice, and does not encourage illicit substance use. We do not provide services to individuals experiencing active psychosis or mental health crisis.We do not act as experts on psychedelics or altered states, nor provide advice on their use. We are not liable for risks associated with using information from our site.
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True North Psychology Blog: Related content
Our Collaborations:
We collaborate with the following services to to provide accessible and high-quality support for people are curious about or have had experiences with non-ordinary states of consciousness.
The Psychedelic Experience Clinic - This service offers Psychoanalytic therapy to psychedelic integration: https://www.thepsychedelicexperienceclinic.co.uk/
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Maudsley Psychedelic Society Integration circle (monthly in-person, South London)
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PSYCHEDELIC INTEGRATION INFORMATION & RESOURCES
More on Non-psychedelic Altered States of Consciousness
More on Psychedelic Integration
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Resources on Adverse Experiences or Spiritual Emergencies, by Jules Evans​
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Research Articles:
Life after Ayahuasca: A Qualitative Analysis of the Psychedelic Integration Experiences of 1630 Ayahuasca Drinkers from a Global Survey (2023) , by T. Cowley-Court, R. Chenhall, J. Sarris, J.C. Bouso, L.F. Tófoli, E.S. Opaleye, V. Schubert, D. Perkins
Psychedelic integration: An analysis of the concept and its practice, by G.J. Bathje, E. Majeski, M. Kudowor (2022).
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On Redescribing the Indescribable: Trauma, Psychoanalysis and Psychedelic Therapy, by N.L. Modlin, J. Stubley, C. Maggio, J.J. Rucker
Extended difficulties following the use of psychedelic drugs: A mixed methods study (2023), by J. Evans, O. Robinson, E. Ketzitzidou-Argyri, S. Suseelan, A. Murphy-Beiner, Ashleigh and R. McAlpine.
Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration: A Transtheoretical Model for Clinical Practice (2021), by I. Gorman, E.M. Nielson, A. Molinar, K. Cassidy, J. Sabbagh
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Books
Metzner R. (2010). The Unfolding Self: Varieties of Transformative Experience. Synergetic Press, SantaFe, NM.
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Ortigo KM (2021) Beyond the narrow life: a guide for psychedelic integration and existential exploration. Synergetic Press, SantaFe, NM
Read T, Papasyrou, M (2021) Psychedelics and Psychotherapy: The Healing Potential of Expanded States.
Taylor, K (1995) The Ethics of Caring: Honoring the web of life in our professional healing relationships. Hanford Mead Publishers, Santa Cruz, CA
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