Healing in Community: Psychedelics and Group Work with Dori Lewis, MA, LPC, LMHC

Welcome to the Art of Groups podcast, where you'll learn to create, promote, and facilitate transformational groups. In this episode, host Carrie Haynes, a licensed professional counselor and group facilitator, sits down with Dori Lewis, a licensed professional counselor and licensed mental health counselor, to discuss the power of psychedelics and group work in the healing process.

Dori Lewis's Journey into Group Work

Dori Lewis is a licensed professional counselor and licensed mental health counselor with a wealth of experience in facilitating groups. She started her group private practice, Reflective Healing LLC, in Fort Collins about three years ago after realizing the need for more support in her community. Dori shares her background in sex therapy and her work in women's circles, focusing on female sexuality through psycho-spiritual readings and meditations. She is also trained as a shamanic journey practitioner and has extensive experience in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and other psychedelic modalities. Dori's passion for helping individuals access their unique offerings in the psychedelic space led her to co-found Elemental Psychedelics, where she offers intimate training programs.

The Role of Experience and Self-Reflection in Psychedelic Work

When asked about the most important qualities for practitioners in holding space for psychedelic experiences, Dori emphasizes her personal experience and discoveries. Her own extensive experiences with various psychedelics over two decades have become invaluable in supporting others in their journeys. Dori also stresses the importance of ongoing therapy, shadow work, and parts work to cultivate humility and self-awareness. Recognizing and addressing one's own unconscious impulses and seeking consultation when needed is vital for ethical practice. Dori encourages aspiring practitioners to continue their own experiences with psychedelics while receiving mentorship and supervision to enhance their skills.

Contrasting Individual and Group Psychedelic Work

Dori differentiates between individual and group psychedelic work, particularly with ketamine. While she organizes ketamine women's circles for therapists who have undergone a screening process, she advises caution when bringing together individuals from the community for group psychedelic experiences. Amplifying group dynamics and the potential for unaddressed trauma to surface make careful screening essential. Dori prefers participants to have prior experience with psychedelics, a history of therapy, and an understanding of their trauma backgrounds to ensure safety. Unraveling trauma in a group setting without proper support can be challenging, requiring individual attention and care.

The Power of Individual and Group Experiences 

Dori emphasizes the significance of individual work before transitioning to group experiences. She states, "I like to do one-to-one initial experiences for people to work through their personal stuff. At some point, when somebody has a good sense of the medicine and their own consciousness, bringing them into a group space is perfect." The individual work allows individuals to address their personal issues, gain tools, and become comfortable with the medicine. Once they have a strong foundation, group work becomes a supportive and cost-effective option to continue their healing journey.

Individual work provides an opportunity for individuals to focus on their personal challenges and work through heavier, stickier issues. It allows them to develop tools, grounding techniques, and integration skills necessary for their healing journey.

Group work offers a unique sense of community and connection that is often lacking in today's virtual and isolated world. Dori highlights the importance of shared experiences, stating, "People really want to be connected and be in community... and that creates camaraderie." Group settings provide an opportunity for participants to connect, share their journeys, and find support among peers.

The Continuum of Healing and Integration 

Dori emphasizes that the healing path is a continuous journey rather than a one-time event. She says, "When you start doing psychedelics, you're on the medicine path. It's not a one-time thing." While high-dose psilocybin sessions can be impactful, she believes that continued engagement with the medicine allows for deeper layers of healing and personal growth.

Integration, the process of incorporating insights and experiences from psychedelic journeys into daily life, is a vital aspect of the healing process. Dori explains that integration takes time and requires ongoing support. Group work provides a safe container where participants can share their integration struggles, learn from each other, and receive continued support throughout their journey.

Through group work, lifelong connections can be forged. Dori shares her personal experiences of meeting lifelong friends and spiritual supports through women's circles and ayahuasca ceremonies. These connections provide a space for expansive conversations and a level of understanding that may be difficult to find elsewhere.

Balancing Structure and Process in Group Work 

Dori discusses the importance of maintaining a balance between structure and process in group work. She acknowledges her own limitations as a group therapist and explains her preference for tight containers to minimize process dynamics that may arise. By implementing clear activities and boundaries, she creates a space that allows for personal sharing while minimizing potential harm.

Having structured activities and guidelines in group work ensures that participants feel safe and supported. Clear boundaries prevent the emergence of complex group dynamics that can be challenging to navigate without specialized training. Dori's focus on structure helps maintain a grounded and secure environment.

Dori emphasizes the importance of recognizing one's limitations and seeking supervision or consultation. Engaging in ongoing training and consultation helps therapists and facilitators develop the necessary skills to hold safe and effective group spaces. It also allows for reflection, growth, and the ability to learn from mistakes.

Honoring Authenticity and Addressing Cultural Appropriation 

Dori addresses the issue of cultural appropriation in psychedelic work and the importance of authenticity in rituals and ceremonies. She encourages individuals to draw from their own practices and inner guidance, rather than adopting practices from other cultures without understanding their significance. Cultural appropriation, she explains, involves taking practices from marginalized cultures without proper understanding or reciprocity.

Dori emphasizes the importance of personal rituals and ceremonies that are rooted in individual practices and beliefs. These practices should align with one's inner truth and connection to nature, spirit guides, or power animals. By focusing on personal rituals, individuals can avoid appropriating practices that don't resonate with their own cultural heritage.

Dori invites individuals to slow down and explore their own grief and hunger for ritual and ceremony. Rather than rushing to fill this void by appropriating practices from other cultures, she encourages individuals to explore their own cultural roots and traditions. Grief itself can become a part of ritual and ceremony, offering a unique and meaningful healing experience.

A Transformative and Communal Journey

Healing through psychedelics and group work offers a transformative and communal journey. The combination of individual and group experiences provides an effective and holistic approach to healing. It allows individuals to work through personal issues, gain tools and insights, and cultivate lifelong connections within a supportive community. By maintaining a balance between structure and process, therapists and facilitators can create safe spaces for participants to heal and grow. Furthermore, honoring authenticity and avoiding cultural appropriation ensure that rituals and ceremonies are meaningful and respectful. Slowing down, recognizing limitations, and seeking supervision or consultation is essential for ethical and effective practice.

Key Takeaways

• Experience and self-reflection are crucial: Personal experiences with psychedelics and ongoing therapy provide valuable insights and self-awareness for practitioners.

• Engage in ongoing supervision and mentorship: Seek consultation and mentorship from experienced professionals while simultaneously practicing psychedelic work to enhance skills and ensure ethical practice.

• Screening and individual support: When facilitating group psychedelic experiences, prioritize a rigorous screening process to ensure participants' safety and well-being, especially concerning trauma histories.

• Continued personal growth: Embrace shadow work, parts work, and ongoing therapy to deepen self-awareness and humility as a practitioner.

• Stay informed about upcoming training opportunities, such as Elemental Psychedelics' training programs, to deepen your knowledge and practice in the field of psychedelic group work.

Links and Resources

• Elemental Psychedelics

• Psychedelic Ceremony & The Art of Groups -  Training Information