Part 4: What is Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy? Phase 3 – Integration
Many people assume the peak psychedelic experience is where transformation happens.
In truth, that moment is only one part of the psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) process.
A dosing (medicine) session can open powerful states of awareness, revealing emotional, psychological, and spiritual insight.
These moments of expansion become truly meaningful when supported through intentional reflection, grounded guidance, and integration work.
What Integration Therapy Does
PAT integration sessions are guided by qualified and trained psychologists, counsellors, or psychotherapists who specialise in integration work.
They are 1:1 and typically run for 50 minutes to one hour and providing a dedicated space for reflection, curiosity, and growth.
Integration sessions can be held face-to-face or online, offering flexibility to suit your needs.
They usually start within the first week after a dosing (medicine) session, continue weekly or fortnightly for several weeks, and then taper into monthly or as-needed check-ins over the next few months.
They bridge the gap between the insights gained during a dosing session and how to apply that wisdom in daily life.
You can expect to:
Unpack what surfaced during your experience.
Identify patterns or habits that no longer serve you.
Explore new perspectives that feel authentic and aligned.
Apply fresh awareness to everyday choices, relationships, and work.
Integrate insights in grounded, practical ways that support long-term change.
The Role of Talk and Somatic Therapy
Talk therapy and somatic approaches are key parts of integration.
In simple terms, talk therapy provides a space to share and make sense of your experiences with a trained therapist, helping you connect the dots between your feelings and their impact on your life.
Somatic work focuses on the body — gentle movement, breath, and awareness practices that help calm the nervous system, release built-up energy, and anchor the insights you gained so they become part of how you live day-to-day.
Complementary Therapies That Support Integration
Alongside talk therapy and body-based work, you may also use complementary practices that make integration more meaningful and practical.
These supportive tools help you stay connected, grounded, and balanced throughout your process:
Self-care rituals cultivate self-trust and strengthen then connection between body, mind, and spirit.
Journaling provides a space to express and process insights.
Art therapy allows non-verbal exploration through creativity.
Mindfulness cultivates presence and conscious awareness.
Nature-based integration grounds the process through connection with the natural world.
Nutritional psychology supports emotional balance, clarity, and vitality by caring for gut health — the body’s “second brain.”
Understanding the Process
Psychoeducation is also an essential part of integration.
It simply means learning about what happens in your mind and body after a psychedelic experience, so you can better understand your emotions, thoughts, and physical sensations.
It provides clear information and tools to help you navigate any changes you may notice, enabling you to stay compassionate and confident throughout the process.
It turns insight into everyday action — helping you create real, lasting change.
This completes our four-part series on psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Curious about integration therapy or preparing for a psychedelic-assisted session? You are not alone.
At TrueForYou, we offer a grounded, compassionate space to explore and integrate your experience at your own pace.