Psychedelics and the Psychotherapy Dilemma: Why Looking Forward Might Matter More Than Looking Back

Should we use 19th-century therapeutic tools to navigate 21st-century psychedelic experiences?

As psychedelics enter more mainstream therapeutic spaces, this question becomes urgent. The mind under the influence of these compounds is porous, open, and exquisitely sensitive to suggestion. That sensitivity, while offering powerful therapeutic potential, can also lead people down paths that aren’t grounded in truth- especially when facilitators apply traditional talk therapy models without adjusting for the altered state.

At Eleusinia Retreat, we’ve seen the consequences of this misalignment, particularly from guests who have visited other retreats or interacted with other practitioners. We believe our approach is a better way forward.

Vulnerability and Suggestibility in Psychedelic States

Psychedelics can help dissolve mental ruts and rigid thought loops. But the same mechanism that allows for breakthroughs also creates a heightened state of impressionability. When someone in this state is led- consciously or unconsciously- toward repressed trauma, the mind may “fill in the blanks” not with actual memory, but with emotionally compelling narratives shaped by suggestion.

This risk is especially high when facilitators employ Freudian-style psychotherapy, which is predicated on the idea that psychological issues stem from unresolved, often buried trauma.

A Personal Story That Changed My Course

Before I even launched Eleusinia, a friend shared a story that stuck with me- and still shapes how we train our facilitators today.

This friend, struggling with depression, sought help from an underground MDMA-assisted therapy session. The practitioner was credentialed in some way, though I never confirmed the exact qualifications. During the session, the facilitator began probing: What was the origin of his feelings? Did anything happen at summer camp? What about certain people there?

The questions turned increasingly specific and suggestive, until my friend and the practitioner concluded that something inappropriate had happened with a camp counselor- who also happened to be my friend’s cousin. After confronting family members, the situation quickly turned painful and chaotic. Months later, my friend questioned whether the memory was even real. He suspects it was shaped by leading questions asked during a vulnerable moment.

Sadly, this isn’t an isolated case. Guests at Eleusinia have shared similar experiences from other retreats and underground facilitators. We take these stories seriously, and we work hard to ensure we never repeat them.

When the Wounded Healer Becomes the Harm-Doer

It’s not just licensed therapists who carry outdated or misapplied frameworks into the psychedelic space. Increasingly, self-proclaimed shamans- many operating outside any professional, ethical, or even cultural context- have stepped into the void. These figures often claim spiritual authority, but in practice, some wield their influence in ways that are coercive, even abusive.

Unlike therapists, who are at least accountable to boards or ethics codes, modern-day shamans frequently operate in unregulated, underground environments. The combination of mystical language, performative rituals, and heightened emotional vulnerability creates a potent cocktail of suggestibility. When someone in that state is told by a supposed spiritual authority that they are cursed, or must recall a trauma to heal, or worse- that healing must take place through physical or sexual “ritual”- it becomes a recipe for deep psychological and physical harm.

At Eleusinia, we hear these stories too. Guests arrive not just with trauma, but with fresh wounds from misguided or exploitative ceremonies. The fact that someone wears beads, burns sage, or chants in a language you don’t understand does not make them a safe or qualified guide.

The role of a facilitator- whether called therapist, coach, or shaman- is not to dictate what an experience means, but to support the individual in interpreting it on their own terms, with clarity, dignity, and autonomy. This is why harm reduction education must include not just an understanding of therapy models, but a critical lens on spiritual authority.

Freudian vs. Adlerian Approaches: A Critical Difference

To understand how we got here, it’s useful to look briefly at two foundational figures in psychology.

Sigmund Freud, often seen as the father of modern therapy, emphasized the unconscious mind and the impact of early-life experiences. Therapy in this model involves uncovering repressed memories and interpreting dreams and symbolic behavior to resolve internal conflicts.

Alfred Adler, a contemporary and former colleague of Freud, took a very different view. Adlerian therapy emphasizes individual agency, future goals, and the belief that people are driven by the desire to improve their lives and find meaning. Rather than digging through the past, Adlerians ask: What are you striving toward? and What could your life look like if you believed change was possible?

Why Adler’s Approach Works Better in Psychedelic Spaces

In a psychedelic session, people often experience insights that feel urgent and emotionally intense. But these insights don’t always need to be interpreted as hidden truths from the past. Sometimes, they are simply glimpses into what might be possible.

A future-focused approach- like Adler’s- aligns with the mechanism of psychedelics. These compounds don’t “reveal secrets” as much as they temporarily free us from habitual patterns. At Eleusinia, we encourage our guests to explore what’s next, not dwell on what may or may not have happened decades ago.

What Is the “Shuffle”?

The “Shuffle” concept is our framework for working with psychedelics. It treats the mind like a deck of cards: psychedelics can shuffle the deck, breaking up rigid thinking and reordering beliefs in creative ways. But it’s up to the individual to decide how to play the new hand. You can read more about our model here.

Eleusinia’s Commitment to Harm Reduction

Psychedelics can open a window- but what you do with the view matters. At Eleusinia, our facilitators are trained to support that view without projecting their own interpretations onto it. Our harm reduction program includes:

• Preparation coaching on what to expect and how to hold space for yourself
  
• Integration support that emphasizes patience and reflection
  
• Education about memory malleability and the risks of suggestive therapeutic practices
  

We ask our guests to pause before making life-altering decisions based on what came up during a journey. Time, context, and perspective are essential for true integration.

Conclusion: Choosing the Right Questions

Therapy and psychedelics both ask us to look inward- but the direction of that gaze matters. While Freudian methods focus on “What happened to you?”, a forward-thinking approach asks, “What can you build from here?”

In this delicate space, our job is not to direct someone’s path. It’s to help clear the way so they can walk it on their own.