The growing interest in psychedelic therapy has created an increasing demand for psychedelic therapists—mental health professionals trained to work with psychedelics in a therapeutic setting. While these therapists offer profound support to their clients, their work is emotionally demanding, often leaving them burned out. The central question remains: Who supports the healers?

In this article, we will explore the emotional challenges faced by psychedelic therapists, why therapy is just as crucial for them as it is for their clients, and how these therapists can find the support they need to continue providing effective care.

Why Psychedelic Therapy Work Is Emotionally Demanding

An image of a psychedelic therapist sitting alone in a therapy room with their head down, appearing mentally drained and overwhelmed. Their face reflects the emotional toll of their work, with soft lighting creating a somber atmosphere

Psychedelic therapy is often described as a profound and transformative process where patients can access deep emotional insights, sometimes experiencing in one night what would typically take years of conventional therapy. While these intense experiences can be life-changing for clients, they can also be incredibly demanding for psychedelic therapists.

Intense Affective States

Psychedelic experiences can evoke intense emotional states. These states are not always easy for therapists to process, as they go beyond the typical emotional reactions one might encounter during a regular therapy session. In some cases, the effects of psychedelics can leave clients emotionally raw or even highly vulnerable. As psychedelic therapists, we are not only responsible for holding space for these emotions but also for managing our reactions to what arises in the session. Over time, the accumulation of intense emotional states can have a lasting impact.

Witnessing Non-Ordinary States

In psychedelic therapy, therapists often witness what is known as "non-ordinary" states of consciousness. These states can be deeply profound and sometimes difficult to comprehend. As a therapist, it can be isolating to be the only one present to witness such states, especially when they seem so far removed from ordinary human experience. The emotional weight of these experiences, paired with the pressure of being a primary support, can leave psychedelic therapists feeling isolated or unsure of how to seek support for themselves.

Vicarious Trauma and Emotional Exhaustion

Because psychedelic therapy can help clients access traumatic memories or raw emotions, there is a risk of vicarious trauma for the therapist. When clients uncover deep emotional wounds, it's common for the therapist to feel the emotional intensity of the session as well. If a therapist is not properly attending to their own emotional well-being, this can lead to burnout, emotional exhaustion, or even secondary trauma. Moreover, the extended length of many psychedelic therapy sessions—often lasting 8 hours or more—adds an additional layer of stress. These longer sessions can leave little room for therapists to process their own emotional responses to the session, adding to the emotional weight.

The Myth of the "Healed Healer"

A common misconception in the world of psychedelic therapy is the idea that therapists must be completely "healed" themselves before they can help others. This belief, known as the "healed healer" myth, can create unnecessary pressure on psychedelic therapists. While it is undoubtedly important for therapists to have undergone psychotherapy themselves and to have self-awareness about their own emotional experiences, it is unrealistic to expect that they must be fully "healed" before entering the field.

In psychedelic therapy, therapists will be the canvas onto which their clients project their needs and expectations. . Clients may view them as enlightened or as individuals who have transcended common human struggles. This can lead to a transference, where the client views the therapist as a perfect figure—free from flaws or unresolved issues. This projection can be challenging for psychedelic therapists, as it sets an unrealistic standard and can contribute to self-judgment or ego-inflation. In reality, the therapeutic process is continuous for everyone, including the therapist.

A psychedelic therapist sitting at their desk, holding their head in their hands, showing signs of emotional exhaustion and a headache. The room around them is cluttered with therapy notes, emphasizing the weight of their work.

Why Ongoing Therapy Is Essential for Psychedelic Therapists

The emotional demands of psychedelic therapy make it clear that therapists need their own therapeutic support. Even certified psychedelic therapists—those with formal training in this specialized field—benefit greatly from ongoing therapy. While psychedelic therapy itself is transformative for many, therapists should not expect that working with psychedelics is a substitute for personal therapy.

Emotional Regulation and Ethical Clarity

Regular therapy provides psychedelic therapists with the emotional support needed to integrate their experiences and maintain clarity in their ethical practices. It can help them process the emotional significance of their work, particularly when dealing with difficult or intense experiences that arise during sessions. Therapy also ensures that therapists have a space to discuss the complexities of their work, maintaining ethical clarity when engaging in challenging situations with clients.

Integration of Personal Psychedelic Experiences

For psychedelic therapists, the personal integration of their own psychedelic experiences is just as important as the work they do with clients. Without personal integration, therapists risk carrying unprocessed emotions and unresolved conflicts into their professional work. Having a therapist who understands psychedelic experiences is crucial for emotional and mental balance. This space allows therapists to integrate their own personal experiences to ensure they remain grounded in their professional capacity.

Peer Consultation vs. Personal Therapy

It's worth noting that peer consultation and personal therapy serve different purposes. Peer consultation is an essential tool for therapists to discuss their work's technical and emotional aspects, particularly with other professionals in the field. However, personal therapy offers more vulnerable introspection and processing, providing the therapist with a space to address their own emotional and psychological needs. Both are necessary to maintain a healthy and effective practice.

Barriers to Accessing Therapy

A therapist sitting on a therapy couch in a private office, looking fatigued and with a hand on their temple as if suffering from a headache. The setting feels intimate, with a sense of vulnerability in the therapist's posture

While it's clear that psychedelic therapists need therapy just as much as their clients, accessing therapy can be a significant challenge. As therapists, we are aware of the difficulty clients face when seeking therapists who provide psychedelic therapy or who are knowledgeable about psychedelic experiences. This challenge extends to the therapists themselves. It can be difficult to find a therapist who is well-versed in the psychedelic paradigm, as few professionals are trained in this specialized field.

The emotional intensity of psychedelic therapy sessions also plays a role in this challenge. Many sessions can last several hours, making it difficult for therapists to carve out time for their own therapy. The busy schedules and high demands of administering psychedelic therapy can result in therapists postponing or neglecting their own emotional care.

What Makes a Good Therapist for a Psychedelic Therapist?

For psychedelic therapists seeking their own therapy, it's important to find a practitioner who not only understands the psychological implications of their work but also grasps the broader cultural, political, and evidence-based context in which psychedelic therapy is emerging. A good therapist for a psychedelic therapist will have the following qualities:

Knowledge of Psychedelics: A therapist who is knowledgeable about the effects of psychedelics and the unique psychological experiences they can elicit will be able to understand and support the therapist's personal integration process.
Holistic Approach: A skilled therapist will understand the psychedelic therapist's life in a holistic manner—acknowledging both personal and professional aspects—and provide guidance that supports growth on all fronts.
Cultural Competency: A good therapist will be aware of the shifting cultural landscape around psychedelics and will understand the legal, ethical, and social contexts in which psychedelic therapy is practiced.
Empathy and Boundaries: A great therapist will be able to create a safe, empathetic environment while also maintaining clear professional boundaries. This is crucial for ensuring that both the therapist and client can continue to engage in meaningful and safe therapeutic work.

Final Thoughts

The work of a psychedelic therapist is both rewarding and potentially taxing. While psychedelic therapists hold space for the healing of others, they, too, must take care of their own mental health. Regular therapy is an essential practice for all therapists, especially for those in the psychedelic field. It allows for a sustainable emotional work life, ethical clarity, and the ongoing integration of personal experiences.

If you're a certified psychedelic therapist or someone considering entering this field, it's crucial to recognize the importance of seeking support. Prioritizing your own mental health ensures that you can continue to offer compassionate, ethical, and effective care to your clients while maintaining your well-being as a practitioner. As psychedelic therapists, we cannot give what we do not have; taking care of ourselves is an essential part of ethical practice in this transformative field.

Psychedelic Therapists Need Therapy Too