🔼: [[⭐️ Integration]] # Psychedelic Integration Circles An Integration Circle is a safe and supportive space for people to communally share their experiences, insights, and challenges after a psychedelic experience to the benefit of both the individual and the group. While it may seem less desirable than 1-on-1 support, groups compensate for the drawbacks by having significant benefits over individual integration work. ##### Creating the Circle 1. Consider seeking guidance from experienced facilitators, coaches, therapists, or integration specialists. 2. Establish your purpose and intentions: Is it to provide support, foster community, facilitate healing and growth? Clearly define your goals. 3. Location: Somewhere that promotes comfort and privacy. Consider seating arrangements, lighting, and ambiance. 4. Consider inviting guest speakers who have expertise in [[💡 Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy]], [[⭐️ Integration]], or related fields. They can offer valuable insights, guidance, or facilitate specific integration practices. ##### Facilitation - Transmit [[Qualities of Presence ☀️]], sensitivity, and [[💡 Empathy|empathy]]. Have respect for individual experiences. ###### Opening - Set Intention and Structure: - Participants can share their intentions and/or what they hope to get out of the circle. - Provide an overview of the agenda and structure to manage expectations and create a sense of safety. - Themes and Topics: - aspects of the experience - [[☀️ Compassion]] - [[🕯️ Self-Regulation]], [[🕯️ Tending to feelings]], - integrating insights into daily life - building resilience - Lead a [[🕯️ Meditation 🧘]], [[🕯️ Breathwork 💨]], [[🕯️ Grounding]], or [[🕯️ Gratitude]] exercise. Gratitude for the space, accessibility, a group to share with people who understand. ###### Sharing - Clearly communicate guidelines to participants before the circle begins. - confidentiality - active listening - Speaking from personal experience. Use "I statements" - If you're chatty, be mindful and leave room for quieter people. If you're quieter, please make an effort to engage. - not giving unsolicited advice, fixing, or crosstalk - Agreements: anonymous, legally safe - Questions are okay, with minimal back-and-forth. No one is obligated to answer questions. - Allocate sufficient time for each participant to share. Round-robin or circle sharing format, or raised hands on Zoom, where participants have the opportunity to share their experiences, insights, and challenges. - Attune to Group Dynamics: Foster a sense of inclusivity, encourage active participation, and address any conflicts or challenges that may arise within the group. Create space for participants to support and offer insights to one another. - Ask open-ended questions to deepen exploration and understanding. - Incorporate [[⭐️ Integration#Solo Integration Practices|Integration Practices]] to participants' needs and preferences. - Facilitate Sharing of Integration Strategies or self-care practices among members to provide inspiration and support for participants. - Offer resources: books, articles, podcasts, information, or other modalities that can complement integration. ##### After the Circle - Community Building: provide opportunities for participants to connect outside of the integration circles. Social events, online communities, or sharing resources and articles through a mailing list or online platform. - Reflect and evaluate the process and gather feedback to refine and enhance the circle and create a safe and transformative space. - Stay informed. Attend conferences, workshops, or webinars to expand your knowledge and deepen your facilitation skills. - Follow-up Support: - Information on therapists, coaches, or other professionals specializing in psychedelic integration who can support participants on their integration journey. - Check-ins, individual sessions [^1]: