Introduction to Psychedelics and Sacred Space Holding
Course Overview
This six-week course aims to provide beginners and non-licensed individuals with the knowledge and techniques necessary to feel confident in comprehensive space holding for psychedelic-assisted experiences. Led by Dr. Richelle Vawter, a licensed naturopathic medical doctor and licensed mental health counselor, the course will cover various psychedelics, their mechanisms of action, benefits, dosage, preparation, setting the space, legal issues, and trends. Participants will also learn about traditional spiritual uses of psychedelics, ceremony preparation, integration practices, and the role of the space holder in supporting others. Successful completion of the course will make participants eligible to join an experiential psychedelic-assisted retreat under the guidance of Dr. Vawter and her team.
Course Details:
Duration: Six weeks, with one session per week
Timing: Wednesdays, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm
Course Dates: October 10th - November 14th, 2023
Week 1: Introduction/Ketamine
- Different roles of practitioners and clinicians
- Importance of Space Holder (peer support)
- Definition of psychedelics and types of psychedelics
- Good candidates for ketamine treatment
- Clinical labs necessary for preparation
- Metabolic pathway and beneficial micronutrients
- Mechanisms of action
- Contraindications and benefits of ketamine
- Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy process
- Dosage and routes of administration
- Setting the space and safety considerations
- Legal issues and trends
- Discussion of microdosing
- Heart Rate Variance practice
Week 2: MDMA
- Explanation of good candidates for treatment
- Clinical labs necessary for preparation
- Metabolic pathway and beneficial micronutrients
- Anti-inflammatory properties of MDMA
- Mechanisms of action
- Contraindications and benefits of MDMA
- MDMA-assisted psychotherapy process
- Dosage and routes of administration
- Setting the space and safety considerations
- Legal issues and trends
- Discussion of microdosing
- Heart Rate Variance practice
Week 3: Cannabis
- Explanation of good candidates for treatment
- Clinical labs necessary for preparation
- Metabolic pathway and beneficial micronutrients
- Anti-inflammatory properties of cannabis
- Mechanisms of action
- Contraindications and benefits of cannabis
- Cannabis-assisted psychotherapy process
- Dosage and routes of administration
- Setting the space and safety considerations
- Developing safe setting skills
- Legal issues and trends
- Discussion of microdosing
- Traditional spiritual uses of cannabis
- Importance of ceremony and intention
- Facilitation of integration
- Traditional Breathwork practice
Week 4: Ayahuasca/DMT/Mushrooms (main focus on mushrooms)
- Explanation of good candidates for treatment
- Clinical labs necessary for preparation
- Metabolic pathway and beneficial micronutrients
- Anti-inflammatory properties of psilocybin
- Mechanisms of action
- Contraindications and benefits of psilocybin
- Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy process
- Dosage and routes of administration
- Setting the space and safety considerations
- Developing safe setting skills
- Legal issues and trends
- Discussion of microdosing
- Traditional spiritual uses of mushrooms
- Importance of ceremony and intention
- Facilitation of integration
- Energetics Spirit of the Plant
Week 5: Mescaline/Huachuma (main focus on huachuma)/Emotional Containment
- Explanation of good candidates for treatment
- Clinical labs necessary for preparation
- Metabolic pathway and beneficial micronutrients
- Anti-inflammatory properties of mescaline/huachuma
- Mechanisms of action
- Contraindications and benefits of mescaline/huachuma
- Discussion of microdosing
- Traditional spiritual uses
- Importance of ceremony and intention
- Facilitation of integration
- Energetics Spirit of the Plant
- Strategies to develop rapport with clients
- Facilitating boundary setting
- Dealing with challenges in the sacred space
- Transference and countertransference
- Compassionate inquiry
- Reflective listening
- Heart Rate Variance practice
Week 6: Integration
- Importance of continued integration (for both you and the client)
- Spiritual, emotional, and physical aspects of integration
- Difference between space holder (peer support) and practitioner levels of integration
- Developing an appropriate schedule of continued integration
- Making referrals
- Termination of services and transition to another provider
- Basics of Internal Family Systems (IFS)
- Basics of Motivational Interviewing
- Heart Rate Variance practice
About your instructor
Dr. Richelle Vawter is a licensed naturopathic medical doctor and licensed mental health counselor with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare profession. With expertise in Anxiety, Depression, OCD, and PTSD, Dr. Vawter has dedicated her career to helping individuals overcome their mental health challenges and find holistic well-being.
Dr. Vawter's passion for psychedelic-assisted therapy and sacred space holding has taken her on a global journey of exploration and learning. She has actively traveled the world to understand traditional uses of medicine, gathering wisdom from various cultures and traditions.
Her quest for knowledge led her to study Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy with Polaris Insight Center, deepening her understanding of the therapeutic potential of this psychedelic medicine. Dr. Vawter also completed MAPS MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy training with Dr. Michael and Annie Mithofer, expanding her expertise in utilizing MDMA as a therapeutic tool.
In her pursuit of traditional wisdom, Dr. Vawter has participated in Ayahuasca ceremonies under the guidance of Ricardo Amaringo with Nihue Rau. She has studied Ayurveda under the esteemed Dr. Vasant Lad, delving into the ancient healing system of India. Dr. Vawter also explored traditional Egyptian medicine, unraveling the secrets of this ancient civilization's healing practices.
Furthermore, Dr. Vawter is an initiate of traditional Nepali tantra under a 7th generation jhakri, delving into the profound spiritual teachings and practices of Nepal. Her diverse experiences have shaped her understanding of the integration of traditional wisdom and modern therapeutic approaches.
Currently based in Phoenix, AZ, Dr. Vawter provides her services through the non-profit organization Koan Mind Body Spirit. She offers individual counseling and therapy, specializing in integrating psychedelic-assisted therapy into her practice. Dr. Vawter also hosts transformative retreats to countries like Colombia, Egypt, and India, where participants can engage in deep healing work and connect with ancient spiritual traditions.
With a unique blend of scientific knowledge, emotional support skills, and spiritual guidance, Dr. Richelle Vawter is dedicated to empowering individuals on their healing journeys, fostering a safe and sacred space for transformation and growth. Her multifaceted background and international experiences make her a compassionate and insightful facilitator of psychedelic-assisted therapy and sacred space holding.
Price:
MAPS Conference Special (register by 06/27/2023) $625.00 USD
Early Bird (Before 09/15/2023) $725.00 USD
Full-Price $825.00 USD
Student Pricing (must show proof of current school registration or 1 year recent grad)
$575.00 USD
Scholarships available for underserved populations applications available soon.
Pay via paypal
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