Introduction to Psycholytic Therapy
Psycholytic therapy refers to a medicine-assisted approach that uses low doses of substances with greater frequency. These doses can be typically administered orally via lozenges, although intranasal methods are also employed for ketamine. For cannabis, there are more choices. Unlike other forms of psychedelic therapy, the aim of psycholytic sessions is not to induce ego dissolution or self-transcendence. Instead, clients experience a non-ordinary state of consciousness while staying connected to the present moment and, by extension, the therapist.
My Approach
As you know, my approach is to integrate both different approaches and psycholytic approaches based on the individual needs of his clients. Jason Sienknecht, LPC, a core trainer for PRATI’s ketamine-assisted psychotherapy training program describes psycholytic therapy as inducing a “trance state” that allows clients to “remain in the room,” maintaining a balance between altered consciousness and present awareness.
I concur with this. I also use other approaches that induce trance states that do the same, and will mix approaches as needed.
Therapeutic Benefits
One of the key advantages of psycholytic therapy is that it enables clients to work with challenging material at a conscious level. Low doses of ketamine and cannabis, for example, create a slight dissociation from entrenched patterns and behaviors, giving clients and therapists a fresh perspective on the underlying issues. For instance, a client dealing with addiction may uncover new insights about unmet needs that drive the addiction. The therapist can then offer prompts to deepen the client’s reflection and healing process, all without diminishing the client’s agency.
Conscious Awareness and Dialogue
Although mild dissociation occurs during psycholytic therapy, clients maintain their ability to engage in dialogue and remain aware of the physical space. This balance allows for a more collaborative therapeutic process where the client stays actively involved while exploring deeper emotional or behavioral patterns.
