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Psychedelic Support & Therapy
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Archetypes of the Feminine in Psychedelic Peer Support
Read More: Archetypes of the Feminine in Psychedelic Peer SupportInherent in the Zendo Project’s approach to psychedelic support is the co-creation of communities of compassionate care. It is historically females who teach the lessons of attending to emotional experience, healing and spirit: our mothers, nurses, and teachers. When guests receive support in the Zendo they are not simply receiving a quiet place to reflect;…
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Intrapersonal Development for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapists: An Ethical Imperative By Sara Gael MA, LPC
Read More: Intrapersonal Development for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapists: An Ethical Imperative By Sara Gael MA, LPCIn psychedelic-assisted therapy, self-care is not just a buzz-term but an ethical imperative. Burned out psychedelic therapists are more likely to be misattuned, make mistakes, and cause rupture or harm with clients who are in a vulnerable and impressionable state.
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MAPS Harm Reduction Department Initiates Psychedelic Response Training for Denver First Responders
Read More: MAPS Harm Reduction Department Initiates Psychedelic Response Training for Denver First RespondersIn February 2020, MAPS Harm Reduction Officer and former MAPS Director of Harm Reduction Sara Gael was appointed as the harm reduction advocate for this effort. The panel is comprised of two members of city council, two proponents of Ordinance 301, one certified addictions counselor, one harm reduction advocate, one representative from the Denver Police…
Interviews
Articles & Writing
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Set and Setting: Here’s How to Prepare Your Mind & Space Before Using Psychedelics
Read More: Set and Setting: Here’s How to Prepare Your Mind & Space Before Using PsychedelicsAccording to Gael, one thing you might ask yourself before taking psychedelics is whether you are using them with the intent to “escape” a particular emotion or situation. “That is typically a good indication that you may want to focus on tending to your emotional and psychological health through therapy or other types of support…
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Zendo Project Celebrates a Decade at Burning Man and a New Beginning for the Organization
Read More: Zendo Project Celebrates a Decade at Burning Man and a New Beginning for the OrganizationThroughout its 10 years of incubation at MAPS, Zendo Project has cared for more than 6,500 individuals across four continents and served as a visionary model for compassionate psychedelic response. Zendo’s approach has inspired individuals and organizations all over the world to organize similar initiatives in their own communities.
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Naropa University Announces Separation of Center For Psychedelic Studies
Read More: Naropa University Announces Separation of Center For Psychedelic StudiesNaropa University, the birthplace of the modern mindfulness movement and one of the nation’s only higher education institutions grounded in a contemplative teaching approach, today announced the separation and renaming of the Naropa Center for Psychedelic Studies (NCPS) from the university. The newly independent venture, the Memoru Center for Visionary Healing Arts, is a collaboration…
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MAPS Provides Psychedelic Crisis Assessment and Intervention Training to Denver’s First Responders
Read More: MAPS Provides Psychedelic Crisis Assessment and Intervention Training to Denver’s First RespondersThe Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) has partnered with the City and County of Denver to provide comprehensive training on psychedelic crisis assessment and intervention to the city’s first responders. The Psychedelic Crisis Assessment and Intervention training was commissioned by the Denver Psilocybin Mushroom Policy Review Panel (DPMPRP), a first-of-its-kind panel that was formed…
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When virtual reality meets psychedelic therapy
Read More: When virtual reality meets psychedelic therapyWhile Gael is unfamiliar with Enosis, she said its technology could hold promise if used in “client-centered” ways. This means avoiding overstimulation. VR has the potential to flood a person with stimuli like light, noise, color, and movement, which can undermine a patient’s natural ability to interpret the sensations of their trip. An over-the-top VR…
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How to have a safe psychedelic trip
Read More: How to have a safe psychedelic trip‘If you have underlying mental health concerns or are experiencing depression, anxiety, or any medical issues, talk to a psychedelic-friendly therapist or doctor before taking substances,’ advises Sara Gael, director of harm reduction at the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) in the United States.
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Introduction to MAPS and Harm Reduction with Sara Gael
Read More: Introduction to MAPS and Harm Reduction with Sara GaelThe Zendo Project’s approach to working with challenging psychedelic experiences is rooted in the philosophies and principles of harm reduction. We aim to invite honest conversations about drug use which facilitate understanding and change the way we respond to those in need of support. We advocate for a compassionate response informed by clinical research and…
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Inside a Music Festival in a Country Where All Drugs Are Decriminalised
Read More: Inside a Music Festival in a Country Where All Drugs Are DecriminalisedBut as festivals around the world attract more and more people, Sara Gael hopes that calls for broader social cohesion—and harm reduction—will prevail in the United States, too.