Finding or Creating My Niche: Becoming a Healer

[Beelzebozo]

I don't know what kind of response I'll get to this, but I know there are lots of brilliant and experienced minds on this forum so it's worth a shot.

I'm 26, have a Bachelor's, currently taking a few courses and some human services based fieldwork to transition to a Master's in Mental Health Counseling or Social Work, to eventually become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.

What I want to open up to the brains at the Nexus is how I can pursue my heart's work: to help those integrating and recovering from difficult psychedelic experiences. From what I can see, there is no ready-made institution to handle this, no position tailored for my intentions. As a whole, while mental health professionals seem to be making leaps and bounds in a lot of different areas, psychedelic users seem to be a profound blindspot (more likely to be seen as a substance abuse problem).

I have been through not one, not two, not even three, or four, but many mind-shattering psychedelic experiences over the course of my life that required subsequent months of recovery. And each time integration had to be done totally on my own because I had no access to help. The professionals I did have access to did not understand what I was going through and were totally unequipped to guide me.

Right now, I am working very hard and have no doubt that I will be licensed, but it occurs to me that unless I actively seek it out, I will not find my way to the population I want to serve. I may even have to create a path for myself, since none have been presented.

I understand that working in the capacity I want to work in may not pay the bills (I will be overjoyed if someone can show me otherwise). That's okay, if I have to, I'll volunteer my time. All I know is that it would be a crime if I do not pass on what I've learned, and do for others what no one did for me. Saving the world is not my intent, but a little kindness at the right time, to the right person can make a huge difference. That belief drives me to push forward.

Any input is welcome, even if you're maybe in a similar situation and have no more answers than I do, I'd like to hear from you.

 

[Chan]

Welcome to the gray economy of wisdom!

I can't be sure about where you are, but here, that kind of license is deeply incompatible with that kind of attitude

Despite your best intentions, I would urge you to tread very carefully, for the time being.

Insight, empathy and logic are very dirty words, these days... Burnish your knowledge, while you wait for opportunities to advance, as Lao-Tzu might have said :twisted:

 

[paperjack]

Sadly, until full legalization of hallucinogenics you might have trouble finding clients with such a premise due to the stigma involved in admitting drug use.

 

[null24]

OP, what you're doing is NOT so "out there. And paperback, I respectfully dispute your comment, on the following grounds, along with my belief that one should be the change they want to see.

OP, in my local community are several professionals using entheogens in their practice. I'd love to give you details, but don't want to bust anyone's anonymity,due to the obvious. The person I know who does thus, using psilocybin and cannabis in practice, does so out of license, to avoid patient/therapist boundary issues that are likely to arise from a guided session with entheogens, as well as possible liabilities with practicing medicine without license. They also use a converted bus as a mobile office.

It's not my area of expertise, I'm just fortunate to know these people. In my city, we started a group that meets regularly to discuss the integration issues you present. Through it, we have built a fledgling but strong community of dedicated volunteers, and are working to put together many thongs I place for the practical tripper.

Feel free to pm me if you'd like more info, organization is the key to this grass roots movement. Peace to you, friend.

 

[jamie]

volunteer at zendo and similar operations.

 

[Beelzebozo]

First of all, thank you all for your responses. Sage wisdom, as expected. :thumb_up:

OP, what you're doing is NOT so "out there. And paperback, I respectfully dispute your comment, on the following grounds, along with my belief that one should be the change they want to see.

OP, in my local community are several professionals using entheogens in their practice. I'd love to give you details, but don't want to bust anyone's anonymity,due to the obvious. The person I know who does thus, using psilocybin and cannabis in practice, does so out of license, to avoid patient/therapist boundary issues that are likely to arise from a guided session with entheogens, as well as possible liabilities with practicing medicine without license. They also use a converted bus as a mobile office.

It's not my area of expertise, I'm just fortunate to know these people. In my city, we started a group that meets regularly to discuss the integration issues you present. Through it, we have built a fledgling but strong community of dedicated volunteers, and are working to put together many thongs I place for the practical tripper.

Feel free to pm me if you'd like more info, organization is the key to this grass roots movement. Peace to you, friend.

Thanks, I’ll message you. This is interesting to me.

volunteer at zendo and similar operations.

Ah, thank you Jamie! I knew such things existed, but I didn’t know where to start looking for them. Bingo.

I have a lot to think about and process. . . .