Mental Health How to find a therapist who doesn't discriminate against psychedelics

[GumbyClaymation]

I have issues related to emotional abuse as a child that I am realizing more and more really does have effects in my adult life. I'm getting over the false idea that "I am over it". I use psychedelics and dissociatives sometimes. Some of the time it's just use for spiritual purposes. Sometimes it's use for self medicated therapy. (Those two overlap). I have abused drugs from time to time, but not much.
I think that I'd benefit from some kind of therapy. I've gone before, and not mentioned my drug use. I feel that they either wouldn't understand or would consider it to be the main problem that needed to be "fixed" before moving on to other issues. I can control my use of drugs, but I believe that they are beneficial to my life (sounds like and addict, I know).
You are supposed to be 100% open with your therapist. Anyone have ideas on how to find a therapist who can be accepting of drug use, or is this just a fantasy to think I could find someone like this? "Good" would be to find someone accepting and just not go there. "Better" would be to find someone willing to talk more deeply about what I have learned from those experiences and not have it turn into a discussion of "What made you feel like you had to turn to drugs?". "Ideal" would be someone who would consider therapy while I was under the influence.

I'm around Berkeley CA. While there are certainly a better share of enlightened people here, it's not all that out in the open.

 

[herbavore]

There are many therapists out there that would respect your opinion of your drug use but still want to challenge you to question that opinion. I imagine in the Bay Area there are more than many. One thing that is important to understand about therapy is that you do have to find someone that yo can be totally honest with. The fact that every second person in the US can get an MFCC and call themselves a therapist means that you often have to put a lot of work into finding a therapist that is intelligent enough to embrace complex lives and not simply reduce everything down to the usual pablum.

In terms of psychedelic therapy using mdma, psylocybin, ayahuasca or LSD, the search is complicated by the fact that it is illegal. No one can advertise this but it is happening anyway. Try getting involved with your local psychedelic community. These communities usually include a fair share of therapists and psychiatrists.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CphDzpr8wL8 (note the 3 psychiatrists in this clip)

 

[endotropic]

Does MAPS publish the names of physicians that participate in their clinical trials in the US? I don't think you would fit into any of the MDMA or psilocybin trials going on now, but if you can find the names of those physicians you could contact them to see if they're accepting patients generally. If they're forward thinking enough to participate in a MAPS trial I bet they have the mindset you're looking for.

Then again I know MAPS does most of its work outside of the US, so that might be a long shot.

 

[CosmicG]

I am struggling with the same issue. It has been years since I actually talked to a professional therapist. I get my meds through a GP that doesnt seem to care really whether I receive further help or not, but I know that I could benefit greatly from this.

However, there are a few things in my life that I am not willing to give up such as psychedelic drugs because I am aware of the benefits and have never met any kind of professional who would agree with that here in the United States. Therapy to me seems useless if I cant be completely honest, and its the only reason why I have not yet tried contacting a therapist.

 

[ParappaTheRapper]

Op,

I'd think ALL therapists are very open to drug and psyc use. Psycologists tend to be very fascinated by psycedelics.

Keep in mind you cannot get a Bachelors of Arts in psychology w\o studying drugs and behavior. And a psychiatrist has on top of that, masters, PH d, and two years of shadowing and volunteering.

Psychologists dont care about past use. The reason that doctors react negatively to talking about tripping for example, is not judging you or wanting you to stop, but its that drugs will interfere with the functioning of the medication they give you which are always long term.

If a doctor gets a hint you may abuse alcohol for example, they might give you a less effective choice of medication with different side effects

Its all a juggling act. Hope that helps.

 

[killacali000]

most psychologists in the bay area are afraid of the DEA coming down on them because drug use during a therapy session was very popular here (sf bay area) for a long time until psychologists started getting sent to prison for dosing their patients with psychoactive drugs to get them to "come out of their shell"