Breaking Free: Empowering Ourselves in a Disempowering Culture

I want to address a topic that is not only close to my heart but a guiding and important value in how I work and play:

Empowerment!

How can I help individuals empower themselves in a world designed to disempower and keep us down?

From this perspective, I want to touch on the emerging realm of psychedelic therapy. Over the last ten years, this field has seen a resurgence here in the West, bringing much attention to its potential for healing and transforming lives. Sadly, there's a catch: as these therapies become more mainstream, some individuals and medical for-profit organizations are cashing in on the mental health and wellness of those who are suffering. Unfortunately, the essence of healing—something personal and sacred—is being commercialized. Suddenly, there's great momentum as the psychedelic therapy industry pushes these treatments, sometimes prioritizing profit over genuine care. Many of the people suffering are being sold a packaged version of enlightenment with a luxury price tag. This is not limited to the underground therapists who charge thousands of dollars to sit next to someone desperate for healing; the medical industry and indigenous shaman trade are also cashing in.

The world of the academic and medical hierarchy holds itself up high on the pedestal, claiming to be the place of real answers. Experts with degrees and the power of diagnoses are not immune to the for-profit health and wellness model. I have seen how this dangerous combination can leave people (who are already suffering) at the mercy of medical supervision and disconnected from advocating for themselves within the healing process. It’s as if people are being told that degrees and credentials are the only path to healing when the best insights ultimately come from within ourselves.

The commodification of psychedelic therapy is not just disempowering; it's truly oppressive. People are treated and then discharged as if they were simply items on a checklist or accounts to be filled, and then it's on to the next person, rather than recognizing them as individuals with unique stories and strengths. When this happens, it takes away our sense of control and independence. But healing is not about conforming to someone else's standards; it's about finding what works best for you.

For me, I am all about flipping that script. I believe in a holistic approach to psychedelic therapy, where preparation includes learning about all of the possible avenues of experience, taking the time to feel into choosing the right path, acknowledging the financial exchange, and everyone included has their experience valued. Ideally, healing could be available to all of us free from the barriers.

In today's mental health and wellness landscape, I encourage you to keep questioning and challenging the status quo. Let's work together to create a culture that supports people when they are feeling low instead of taking advantage of their financial resources.

Thank you for joining us on this journey. Together we can break free from the systems that seek to limit us and reclaim our power to heal and thrive. When it comes to psychedelics, we are not just therapists—we are your partners in creating a more empowered and authentic life.