October 22, 2016
From the event website:
What techniques are available for helping transform a potentially difficult psychedelic experience into a positive or even therapeutic one? What are the best ways to support someone who is having an intense psychedelic experience at a festival and what can be done in the days, weeks and months afterward to help someone integrate the lessons from that experience into their daily life?
For the first time, we will be offering a day-long workshop that combines the best practices and wisdom of the MAPS Zendo Project along with The Psychedelic Program’s knowledge and experience from the clinical-research world. Presenters will include Sara Gael, Head Coordinator for the Zendo Project, Katherine MacLean, Director, and Ingmar Gorman, Administrative Director of The Psychedelic Program, and Andrew Tatarsky, Director of The Center for Optimal Living.
This workshop will highlight techniques that can be used in the festival environment, as well as present and discuss ways of being a “good psychedelic samaritan” in everyday life. We will cover the basics of psychedelic harm reduction, how to differentiate between a psychedelic experience and a potential mental health crisis, and how to provide compassionate, non-intrusive support during the experience and helping the individual make contact with a trusted mental health professional or medical service, if needed. We will also cover the approach and philosophy of “integrative harm reduction psychotherapy” that provides the foundation for the Center for Optimal Living, specifically how this approach can be applied to understanding why people use psychedelics and how our therapy model can guide people toward a safe, positive and informed relationship with psychedelics, whether that is safer use or no use at all.
Since 2012, the Zendo Project has provided a supportive environment with trained volunteers at festivals around the world to provide specialized care for transforming difficult psychedelic experiences into valuable learning experiences and opportunities for healing and growth. Whenever possible, the Zendo Project has worked in partnership with festival organizers, medics and security to reduce the number of drug-related hospitalizations and arrests.
Information about Continuing Education credits: The New School for Social Research’s Department of Psychology SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #0199. This training provides 6 hours of continuing education.
For more information, visit the event website.