Settle the Soul Settle the Self
Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy
Stephanie Pearl, LCSW
Settle the Soul Settle the Self
Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy
Stephanie Pearl, LCSW
The Settled Soul Approach to Treatment
Bespoke treatment plans that take a holistic approach
Our work together includes:
- Preparation work
- Journey experience with Stephanie (KAP)
- Integration sessions
- Collaborative care with other mental health and wellness providers as well as referrals to recommended providers
- Personalized playlists for prep, journey and integration
- Movement coaching
- Nutrition coaching
- Breath work
- Meditation
- Journal prompts
Offerings:
What does it mean to Settle the Soul? Why use Psychedelics?
When you are Settled you can trust, accept and embody the change you are seeking.
Psychedelic journeys that are sufficiently prepared for, conducted therapeutically and integrated meaningfully have the potential to shift lifelong blocks and limiting beliefs that are often the root cause of our distress. Working with psychedelics creates an opportunity to broaden our insights and expand ourselves by allowing the brain to exit the rigidity of the default mode network, or the “stuck and unsettled” ways of viewing your life. This supported exploration into an altered state of consciousness offers a break or alternative way of existing and can open us to a more joyful and fulfilled life. Many clients who feel stuck with traditional talk therapy are finding the use of psychedelics, along with therapy, can allow for deeper healing in a shorter period of time.
A journey can help unlock and settle certain thoughts and questions we all struggle with. Some common themes, intentions and transformations that clients have worked on and experienced:
- Feelings of not being enough and lack of self worth
- Increase in trust and decrease in fear
- Acceptance of perceived flaws
- Harnessing the power of self love
- A deeper connection to the universe and the natural world
- Loosening the grip and rigidity of fixed thoughts/beliefs
- Releasing limitations
- More joy and inspiration flowing
- Working through existential crisis
- Cleansing of the pain and peace with sadness
- Actualizing what you already know aka make real all the things your intellectual brain is able to understand but your deeper emotional soul can’t embody
- Metabolism of words and ideas like Trust over Fear. Things I have said countless times but that I now actually believe and can feel myself embody
- Availability of a different way of living
- Anchored self
- Self without rejection
- Accepting the world and ourselves for the way it is. A decrease in the obsessive need to change
The Psychedelic Renaissance and Research
Renaissance
The therapeutic, spiritual and recreational use of Psychedelics has existed for thousands of year across many different cultures. Years of research and observation have shown that working with these medicines can create transformational experiences that can have a profound impact on one’s life and well being. The last decade has seen a reemergence of interest in these medicines therapeutic potential and popularity. This has led to an increase in study and usage with incredibly positive and groundbreaking outcomes.
Research
Research continues to pour out of educational institutions worldwide such as Johns Hopkins, Yale, Berkley, , NYU, and Imperial College. This research has been exploring the multitude of ways psychedelic medicines can provide healing and assist us in understanding psychiatric disorders and the ways we understand ourselves. Findings have shown drastic improvements in the treatment of depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction and eating disorders.
Psychedelic Integration Therapy
Preparation and Integration Sessions
To enhance and really derive the therapeutic potential of experiences with psychedelics such as ayahuasca, psilocybin, LSD or MDMA, connecting to support through preparation and integration sessions can make all the difference. The work done in these sessions will magnify the medicines positive outcomes and create deeper, longer lasting change and healing.
Preparation phase sessions are designed to provide education around the specific medicines and how they function in a journey session. They will also help us understand your intention for your medicine journey and expectations of the overall experience.
Our integration sessions will help examine and process the realizations that were part of your journey in order to identify new or newly understood ways of thinking and living. Integration sessions will happen in the days and weeks following your journey to really benefit from the neuroplasticity that occurs directly after an experience. We will focus on work on helping you not just feel better but function better.
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
KAP 101
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) 101 I offer a therapeutic modality called Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) in partnership with an organization called Journey Clinical. Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is a holistic modality in which ketamine is used as a complement to psychotherapy to help eligible patients experience more frequent breakthroughs and sustained improvement in symptoms. I take on the psychotherapy portion of the experience, while Journey Clinical’s medical team supports you on all medical aspects. This includes determining eligibility, developing a custom treatment plan, prescribing the medicine and monitoring outcomes. Below is more information about KAP to help you navigate if it may be a good fit for you.
What is Ketamine
Ketamine is a legal, safe and effective medicine used to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety and PTSD. Ketamine has rapidly-acting antidepressant and mood-enhancing effects, which can begin to take effect within 1-2 hrs. after treatment and last for up to 2 weeks. It works by blocking the brain’s NMDA receptors as well as by stimulating AMPA receptors, which are thought to help form new synaptic connections and boost neural circuits that regulate stress and mood. Ketamine has also been shown to enhance overall neuroplasticity for lasting symptom improvement. Ketamine can be administered in a variety of ways, including IV infusion, intramuscular injection, via nasal spray and using sublingual lozenges. In our work we only use the sublingual lozenge form.
How Does Ketamine Feel?
The effects of ketamine, which most patients find pleasant, last for approximately 45 minutes. These effects can make you feel “far from” your body, and facilitate shifts in perception that can often feel expansive in nature. Your motor and verbal abilities will be reduced, so you’ll be lying down in a comfortable position during the experience. Once these effects subsided, we’ll spend the remainder of our appointment giving you space to process and discuss your experience. While it may feel hard to articulate what happened during the experience, patients feel like the insights gained are none-the-less clear. Studies have shown that the benefits to mood and neurological growth can last up to two weeks after the Ketamine experience.
Psyhcholytic and Microdose Support
Psycholytic Dosing Sessions
I also offer Psycholytic Ketamine dosing sessions which offer clients the opportunity to work with low doses of the medicine. The goal of a psycholytic session is not ego dissolution or self-transcendence; rather, it is for a client to experience a non-ordinary state of consciousness while remaining in touch with the present moment, and by extension the therapist.
Microdosing Support
I offer support, education, and integration sessions for clients engaging in microdosing protocols with other medicines.
The importance of Set and Setting
SETTING
We will always meet in person in a thoughtfully curated space for your Journey session. Meeting in person allows us to utilize and honor important elements of ceremony that deepen the therapeutic process. The act of ceremony to aid healing has been with us for thousands of years, across many cultures, who have intentionally used psychedelics to improve mental wellness and internal healing. The space you are in and ceremonial practices you engage in during your journey are intended to enhance your experience. Safe, calm, comfortable and prepared for you.
MINDSET
The set refers to mindset and the inner landscape that exists during your journey. Our work leading in to your journey will focus on helping to prepare you so when you enter the space you feel grounded and open to the experience. The best way to achieve this is through education and preparation which we will work on together.
Investment
Psychedelic Preparation and Integration sessions
45min session $200
60min session $225
KAP Journey session
180min Individual Sublingual Ketamine Dosing Session $650
*KAP must include at least one prep and two post-integration sessions as well as
a separate evaluation for a prescription from a medical provider.
*Superbills provided upon request. KAP preparation, journey and integration sessions are all eligible for reimbursement from most insurance providers.
*If you need to cancel, I require 24 hours notice or you will be charged for the missed session if we are unable to reschedule within the same week
About Stephanie
Prior to my work in the psychedelic therapy space, my practice focused primarily on the treatment of adolescents, young adults, and adults in the areas of eating disorders, body image issues, anxiety, depression, relationships, women's issues, pregnancy, prenatal, postpartum support and the immediate and lasting effects of trauma. I have always taken an integrative approach to treatment - assessing the needs of each client and going from there.
I am trained in Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), Acceptance Commitment Therapy (ACT), Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy(TF-CBT), Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), and Internal Family Systems. My professional education with Psychedelic therapy has been through Fluence. I have completed certificate training programs in Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy & Integration, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, and Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy.
With complementary education and experience in the areas of fitness, music, nutrition and mindfulness, I take a holistic approach in my work with individuals to help create positive lifestyle changes for whole body wellness.
I hold a Masters in Social Work from New York University and a Bachelor of Arts from Skidmore College. I am Licensed in both New York and California and have been in practice as a therapist for 15 years.
CA License
# LCSW86013
NY License
# LCS 0831401