In the evolving landscape of mental health therapies, a journey unfolds at the intersection of sex therapy and psychedelic integration therapy. Suzy Daren, a Brooklyn-based yoga psychotherapist for individuals and couples, stands as a guide, navigating uncharted territories to revolutionize healing.
As a seasoned therapist, her innovative approaches offer profound insights into the transformative potential of psychedelics like ayahuasca, psilocybin, ketamine, and other medicines in the realm of sexual empowerment and trauma recovery.
Emerald Magazine: How did your journey into the intersection of sex therapy and psychedelic integration therapy begin, and what inspired you to explore this unique combination?
Suzy Daren (SD): Today, many are sexually repressed, sexually compulsive, and often sexually confused—which causes inauthentic expressions of sexual desire. Observing these trends (as well as undervaluing my sexuality as a career-minded single mother in her 40s), I investigated ways to support one’s connection to their sexual energy and sexual subconscious, psychedelics being one of them.
Emerald: What is the role of Psilouette, a company that provides magic mushrooms for therapeutic purposes, in your work and how does it contribute to your approaches to mental health therapies?
SD: Psilouette prioritizes integrity and healing over profits with a high-quality, reliable product, being a beacon in a marketplace flooded with commercial intent. They also offer professional psychotherapy with psilocybin, improving access to both.
Emerald: Can you share specific instances where you’ve witnessed the positive impact of psychedelic integration therapy, particularly psilocybin, on individuals dealing with sexual trauma or seeking sexual empowerment?
SD: One woman had a hyper-sexual display from a history of sexual trauma and years of believing that she “owed” men sex. After several psilocybin journeys, she sensed what created these beliefs and her natural sexual appetite began to clarify. While she remains a highly sexual being, she now has confidence, healthy boundaries, and pleasure. Another client misidentified himself as submissive after witnessing his mother’s abusive relationships. The combined use of psilocybin and sex therapy allowed him to reclaim a healthier sense of masculine energy, which improved his confidence and marriage.
I’ve also observed many women who have reconnected to their sexual life force by macro-dosing psilocybin followed by integration practices.
To make lasting therapeutic changes to sexual behaviors and identities, new, safe, pleasurable, erotic, and authentic patterns must be felt in the body and not just thought of. With the right doses in the right settings, psilocybin can relax tensions of the mind and offer somatic experiences that are conducive to setting these new neural grooves and therefore healing.
Emerald: In your 15 years of private practice, how have you seen the landscape of mental health therapy evolve, especially regarding alternative treatments like psychedelic integration therapy?
SD: When I started studying psychology in 1995, it was dry, cold, and focused largely on cognitive behavioral therapy. It had little to offer to the parts of being human that I had come to understand through practices of psychedelics, spirituality, sexuality, and well… just being alive. Slowly our field has become more humanistic and considerate of authentic lives. Recently, there has been a huge jump in how we bring the body into psychotherapy and also how to incorporate the transpersonal with psychedelics and other spiritual systems.
Emerald: What challenges or misconceptions do you encounter when discussing or implementing psychedelic therapies in the realm of sex therapy, and how do you address them?
SD: I have been surprised by how many clients asked about psychedelics, (though I do tend to work with a highly intelligent and curious population), and with today’s media, they are well-resourced with accurate information. When clients begin sex therapy they are often frustrated and are open to trying anything, particularly a natural medicine that is administered easily and supports the emotional challenges of confronting difficult topics. The challenge is with access, which is where Psilouette comes in.
Emerald: How do you navigate the legal and ethical considerations surrounding the use of psychedelics in therapy, and what changes would you like to see in the regulatory landscape?
SD: I establish ethics by ensuring that my work falls into my scope of personal and professional knowledge while learning as I go. I also stick with the integration side of this work (though I utterly respect the trailblazers who do).
While still young, regulatory practices may become too clinical, being highly controlled with too many medical professionals involved. Plant medicine journeys usually go better in a comfortable setting without clinicians breathing down their necks. Though some clients appreciate having trip sitters and professionals present, many psychedelics (particularly psilocybin) can be dosed alone or with a trusted friend when the client has no severe mental health issues and uses a carefully considered dose. I would like to see the regulatory powers hand over the keys to the consumer in a responsible and well-resourced way. Though it is true in the mind and human experience, it is even more so with psychedelics: we are the only ones who can fully know our internal landscapes and therefore are experts in our healing.
Emerald: In your experience, what distinguishes the treatment of female sexual trauma from female sexual empowerment. How does psychedelic integration therapy play a role in both?
SD: Female sexual trauma originates from sexual harassment, sexual abuse, and sexual violence. I have too often seen this mistreated in women, due to patriarchal structures that are stale, yet sadly still practiced. Sexual trauma survivors should be treated by women who have done deep personal work to ensure no further harm. Treatment involves a delicate process guided by an expert with great consideration so that a client can gently open, confront, and digest their past experiences. Fostering sexual empowerment is entirely different and can be much louder and more aggressive in its approach with concern about wounding (within reason), so doses can be higher and settings more playful.
Emerald: What advancements or breakthroughs do you hope to see in the integration of psychedelic therapies with traditional mental health practices in the coming years?
SD: I would love to see psychedelics become a part of every graduate-level counseling degree until they are no longer deemed “alternative.” I would also love for clinicians to have better training in a more holistic approach to psychotherapy. This way, psychedelics become a part of a much larger toolbox that includes more somatic and transpersonal approaches like breathwork and meditation.
Emerald: How do you approach the individualization of psychedelic integration therapy for your patients, considering the diverse nature of their experiences and needs?
SD: I take a client-centric approach to therapy that considers their biopsychosocial and spiritual needs. Psychedelics are not a one-size-fits-all medicine and can be dangerous for some. There is a lot of preparatory work when utilizing psychedelics in treatment, including which psychedelic, who will prescribe, the best dose, intentions, mindset, and the setting. There is also the integration work that is unique to a client’s life experiences.
Emerald: What advice would you give to mental health professionals interested in exploring psychedelic therapies, especially in the context of sex therapy, and what resources do you recommend for further learning?
SD: Clinicians should have thorough training with personal experience in psychedelics and sex therapy. When exploring deep, mystical, and intimate experiences with others, we should have long begun the journey ourselves. Consultation between professionals helps enhance ideas, and clinical approaches sometimes tell more than books. These specializations are evolving, so staying current keeps skills sharp. The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), Chacruna, Fluence, and Psychedelic Support are great resources for learning about psychedelic medicine. Ester Perel’s work is currently the seminal approach to sex therapy.
In a world where healing intersects with consciousness, Suzy Daren’s work illuminates new pathways to liberation. Through her insights and dedication, she not only challenges misconceptions but also revolutionizes a more holistic approach to mental health therapies. As the effects of her endeavors continue to resonate, the integration of psychedelic integration therapies into traditional practices promises a future where healing knows no bounds.
To learn more or to schedule a free 15-minute consultation, visit suzydaren.com.
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