Friederike Meckel - Underground Reflections on the Therapeutic Potential of Different Settings

Psychedelic therapy practices and the impact of setting on therapeutic outcomes are evaluated through the lense of the speaker's own extensive experience. Over decades of facilitating diverse psychedelic contexts, from structured training environments to underground retreats, specific elements like ritual frameworks, physical movement, and music have proven essential for navigating the psychedelic experience. Effective integration is heavily emphasized, along with the requirement for substance-competent, trauma-informed therapists who facilitate safe, consistent support for participants. The need for comprehensive training is highlighted, where substance competence is positioned as a foundational necessity ensuring better therapeutic sustainability.