Preparing for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: The Power of Anchor, Align, Navigate
For many people drawn to psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT), the biggest questions often arise before the medicine session even begins.
What will it be like?
How do I know if I'm ready?
What happens in the lead-up to the session?
These questions are so common—and so understandable.
The preparation phase can feel unclear at first, especially when you're exploring something as personal and profound as altered states of consciousness and self awareness..
Without a clear foundation, even the most powerful psychedelic experience can feel hard to integrate.
That’s why preparation is essential. Not just as a checklist of tasks, but as a process that builds inner trust, safety, and intentionality.
At TrueForYou, I guide each client through three core stages of preparation: Anchor. Align. Navigate.
Anchor ⚓️
Creating Safety and Stability
In this first stage, the focus is on establishing a safe container. This is where you begin building a therapeutic relationship that feels grounded and trustworthy.
You’ll have space to share your story—your life experiences, current challenges, patterns, and hopes.
We'll explore why you're choosing to embark on this path and what you’d like to understand or shift.
There’s room for curiosity and any questions or hesitations you might have. There’s no rush and no wrong way to show up.
Trust is built through presence. And that presence—yours and mine—becomes the anchor that supports everything that follows.
Align 🔍
Clarifying Intention and Expanding Awareness
Once you feel grounded in the process, we begin aligning with the deeper why.
This is about more than just setting intentions—it’s about tuning in to your internal landscape and meeting what’s there with honesty and openness.
During this phase, we explore:
The different types of experiences that can emerge—emotional, somatic, spiritual, cognitive, or relational.
What expectations you may be holding (conscious or unconscious).
What it means to meet the unknown with curiosity rather than control.
This phase supports you to gently peel back old narratives and access the insight already within you.
Together, we shape an intention that feels alive and true—one that can guide your session, even when things feel unexpected.
Navigate 🧭
Building Tools for Inner Resilience
This is where we bring it all together—your readiness, your inner resources, and the practical pieces that support your experience.
Here, we look at:
How you want to support yourself during intense or tender moments in session
What you want nearby—people, objects, or rituals—to feel safe and connected
How to prepare your body, your environment, and your nervous system
What informed consent truly means: an ongoing, respectful agreement rooted in your sovereignty
The goal isn’t to control the experience. It’s to feel resourced enough to meet it with presence and trust.
Every Pathway is Personal
Some people feel ready after three sessions. Others take more time—and that’s completely valid.
There’s no “right” pace. Your process is yours. And at every stage, you're supported.
📩 If you'd like to ask questions or explore whether this path is right for you, you’re welcome to book a discovery call.