Psychedelic Therapy Denver - Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy in Denver, Colorado
The Art and Science of Healing and Rewiring the Brain, and Creating Change in You
I believe the change you are hoping to create through psychedelic-assisted therapy begins when you start thinking about whether a psychedelic journey is something for you. The intentional processes of desiring and making change, and the art and science of healing and rewiring the brain, begins the moment you orient towards the possibility of change.
Creating change can be like magic, and I frequently remind my clients that the first rule of magic is that you have to believe in magic. Reading this means you are open to the possibility that perhaps things could feel different and be different in your life. I encourage you to believe in this possibility of magic and change, and I believe you are already on a path towards healing, growth, and self-discovery.
For any journey, there are steps of preparation before as well as steps of integration after. Preparation begins the moment you have the idea of the journey; and the integration phase can, and hopefully will, last a lifetime. This is the essence of healing throughout the entire span of your lifetime.
We would love to connect with you to learn more about who you are, and where you are, and what you are hoping to learn about yourself by exploring this life-altering path. Please email us at mhmh@milehighmentalhealth.com and let us know about you. We will get back to you within a day or so and find a time to talk about the next steps in your psychedelic assisted therapy journey.
~Mindy Solomon, PhD
What Is Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy?
The journey you’re considering embarking on starts first with an intention to explore your inner world. Beyond what talk therapy can provide, the use of psychedelics in a therapy setting can be used to help patients:
- Access altered states of consciousness
- Break down mental barriers
- Gain new perspectives on trauma, anxiety, depression, or other mental health conditions.
Where traditional methods have fallen short, a new approach has been created to allow individuals to reach profound insights already available within their psyche. These sessions are carefully structured with pre-session preparation, professional guidance, and post-session integration to help process and implement insights gained.
Types of Psychedelic Therapy
Several psychedelics are currently being explored and used in therapeutic settings, each offering unique benefits:
- Ketamine: Known for its fast-acting effects, ketamine is commonly used to alleviate symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD. It has dissociative properties that can help clients access deeper layers of consciousness, providing new ways of looking at and working through entrenched thought patterns
- Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms): Psilocybin is used for its ability to promote a sense of interconnectedness and reduce self-critical or negative thinking. Studies have shown it to be effective in treating depression, anxiety, and end-of-life distress.
*Please note that these substances should not be taken without the supervision of a professional for therapeutic outcomes. We do not condone taking these substances without supervision in a therapeutic setting.
History of Psychedelics in Therapy
The professional use of psychedelics dates back to the 1960’s when it was first studied as a treatment for alcoholism. Early proponents like Timothy Leary believed that psychedelics could profoundly alter an individual’s values and perceptions. Despite initial enthusiasm, regulatory constraints in the 1970s pushed these therapies underground.
Psychedelics in Therapy Today
After a decades-long hiatus, psychedelics have re-emerged as a legitimate therapeutic option, with scientific rigor supporting their benefits. Today, there is renewed interest in the potential of these medicines, now backed by scientific research. Current clinical trials indicate positive outcomes for conditions like depression, addiction, and end-of-life anxiety (more on outcomes below)
How Does Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Work?
Non-ordinary states of consciousness can facilitate profound shifts in perspective and behavior. Though researchers are still unraveling its exact mechanisms, there are three primary theories:
Mystical Experiences: Non-ordinary states can shift individuals out of their habitual fight-or-flight mode, fostering a sense of transcendence and deeper self-awareness that leads to shifts in beliefs and behaviors.
Increased Introspection and Receptiveness: These states quiet external stressors and mental noise, enhancing self-reflection and openness to new perspectives, which supports personal growth.
Neurotransmitter Changes: Non-ordinary states promote increased neuroplasticity, enabling emotional breakthroughs and new ways of thinking that can lead to lasting change.
These unique states allow clients to explore aspects of themselves that traditional therapy may not access, paving the way for deeper healing and transformation.
List of Conditions Treated
Psychedelic therapy has shown promise in treating several mental health conditions, especially those that have been resistant to traditional approaches. Here’s a brief overview of the conditions commonly addressed:
- PTSD: MDMA-assisted therapy has been recognized as a breakthrough treatment, significantly reducing trauma symptoms, particularly in veterans and individuals with severe PTSD
- Depression: Psilocybin has shown positive results in alleviating symptoms of major depressive disorder, offering relief even after a single session
- Anxiety: Psychedelic therapy can decrease chronic anxiety and end-of-life distress, helping individuals experience greater peace and emotional stability
- Addiction: Psilocybin and other psychedelics have been used to treat addictions, disrupting destructive thought patterns and reducing substance use
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Initial research suggests psychedelics may help reduce obsessive thinking and compulsive behaviors, promoting more flexible thought patterns
- Trauma-Related Disorders: Psychedelic therapy can support processing and healing from complex trauma, offering new pathways to recovery.
- Eating Disorders: Psychedelics are being explored for their potential to address eating disorders by reducing obsessive thoughts and improving emotional regulation.
*Sources: Table 1 from NCBI, Yale School of Medicine, Icahhn School of Medicine,
What to Expect in Sessions
Psychedelic therapy is designed to provide a safe and structured environment for individuals to explore their inner world. Each phase of the process—preparation, the medication session, and integration—is carefully guided to ensure that participants feel supported and cared for throughout the journey. Here’s what you can expect:
Preparation Sessions: Discuss personal history, explore intentions, and address questions and logistics. Grounding techniques such as mindfulness practices may be introduced to support participants in their healing journey. Preparation sessions include a detailed discussion of what to expect on the journey day, and introduce self-exploration principles to yield improved mental wellness – focused on both self-identity and relationship growth, learning, and healing processes.
Altered-States-of-Consciousness (ASC) Medicine Session: During the session, participants typically lie down, and we encourage the use of eye shades and music, allowing them to focus inward. The therapist will create a supportive and nurturing environment and will guide the participant in processing deep emotions and insights as they emerge.
Integration Sessions: After the experience on the medicine, the therapist will help the participant reflect on insights gained and discuss how to incorporate these insights into everyday life when they are no longer under the influence of psilocybin. This last step is crucial in fostering lasting change into meaningful action and responsibility for one’s own life.
Approaching each phase of psychedelic therapy with intention and care, this therapy offers clients a transformative journey—one that is supported and guided at every step. Psychedelic Therapy Appointments are made as one “unit,” which includes: two discovery/intake sessions (~55 min. each), two preparation sessions (~55 min. each), an altered-state-of-consciousness session (6-7 hours), and two integration sessions (~55 min. each). (Approximately 12 hours.) MHMH does not accept medical insurance, and all therapy rates are self-pay – i.e., out-of-pocket or out-of-network for medical insurance.
Mindy’s (Dr. Solomon’s) availability for psychedelic therapy is open for early-Summer clients as there is currently a waitlist. Intake and Preparation sessions typically take place about 5-7 weeks before the ASC session.
Denver and Colorado Psychedelic Therapists | Mile High Mental Health
If you’re considering embarking on this journey with a professional guide who knows the ins-and-outs of psychotherapy and the medicinal use of psychedelics, please consider Dr. Mindy Solomon at Mile High Mental Health in Denver, Colorado. The change you seek starts with exploring something new and believing in the possibility of growth. We encourage you to reach out to request more information. As a Denver clinic, we’re excited to help you on your path to healing and enlightenment.
Frequently Asked Questions About Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
Psychedelic therapy can be beneficial for individuals seeking new ways to address conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and trauma, especially if traditional therapies haven’t been effective. However, it’s not suitable for everyone. People with a history of psychosis, certain medical conditions, or those taking medications that could interact negatively with psychedelics may not be good candidates. A thorough screening process will help determine if this therapy is a good fit for you.
Each session is unique and can vary based on the medicine being used, your mindset, and the therapeutic setting. Typically, you’ll be guided to relax and focus inward, often with the help of music and visual aids like eye shades. The experience itself can range from deeply introspective and mild to emotionally intense, but your therapist will be there to offer support and guidance as needed. Following the session, an integration phase helps make sense of the insights gained and apply them to your everyday life.
Psychedelic therapy has demonstrated significant potential in treating PTSD, depression, anxiety, and addiction. Studies have shown long-lasting symptom reduction, especially when combined with traditional psychotherapy.
The medicine increases neuroplasticity, meaning it enhances the brain’s ability to form new connections. This heightened flexibility allows individuals to reframe traumatic experiences and break away from negative thought patterns.
They can help individuals access and process repressed emotions and memories in a safe, therapeutic setting. This can facilitate healing and provide an alternative to traditional exposure-based therapies.
It can complement conventional treatments by enabling clients to reach breakthroughs that are difficult to achieve with talk therapy alone. This process helps uncover core issues and supports deeper healing, making traditional therapies more effective.
If you have any more questions or want to learn how this new, innovative approach could support your healing journey, please reach out to us at mhmh@milehighmentalhealth.com.
