Don’t F*ck Your Clients
Last week I attended the Wonderland Conference in Miami, which was full of incredible people, new research, and thought leaders, as well as talk of psychedelics and all that comes with this burgeoning iteration of the industry. While I attended many sessions and am still processing what I learned, I was most excited to sit in on a powerful discussion about "Informed Consent", a talk led by two powerhouse figures in the psychedelic industry, Dr. Julie Holland and Dr. Julia Mirer.
The talk addressed ethical considerations, practitioner responsibilities, and patient rights to ensure a safe, respectful, and empowering psychedelic experience. As both women are prominent forces in the field, the audience eagerly awaited their insights on a topic that is undiscussed—consent in the world of psychedelics.
Dr. Julie Holland (l) and Dr. Julia Mirer (r)
The speakers highlighted the pivotal role of a great therapist or guide emphasizing that a positive outcome can depend significantly on the practitioner. They did also acknowledge that the presence of consent issues in situations with unbalanced power dynamics, extends beyond psychedelic therapy into places like traditional therapy, coaching sessions, dental procedures, and even breathwork classes.
Dr. Julia Mirer made a profound statement, asserting that therapists and guides must be agents of change within the system. She expressed the need for a paradigm shift, emphasizing that effective therapeutic approaches cannot simply be plugged into a broken system—they must contribute to systemic change.
From the start, Dr. Julie Holland delivered a mic-drop 🎤 moment that resonated throughout the room: "If you learn nothing from this talk but one simple thing, it’s: Don't Fuck Your Clients." The audience erupted in applause, yet both speakers acknowledged the complexity and nuance inherent in this straightforward statement.
Dr. Mirer prompted the audience to consider the challenge of informing clients about a journey into the unknown. While many discussions about psychedelics often focus on the dosing day, she emphasized that issues could arise days or even months afterward. Discussing these possibilities forms the basic building blocks of consent and harm reduction, crucial elements in ensuring a positive psychedelic experience.
The speakers outlined a collaborative approach to informed consent in a psychedelic sitting, offering a clear plan for guides, therapists, and sitters to follow:
Refraining from physical contact between the knees and chest during a psychedelic journey unless explicitly discussed and agreed upon prior. If physical contact, such as holding hands, is anticipated, it must be explicitly addressed during the informed consent process.
Informed consent involves naming specific body parts or actions and categorizing them in collaboration with the client before the psychedelic session.
Hard No 🛑 - In my current unaltered state, I do not consent to that touch.
Soft No 🟡 - I’m unsure if I will want that touch, so in my altered state it may become a Hard No or a Yes.
Yes 🟢 - I know I will be okay with that touch, but please still ask me before any action is taken.
During the session, if the client requests a specific action, i.e. your hand on their shoulder, the guide can refer to the pre-established agreement. This framework allows for a dynamic and consensual interaction, ensuring the well-being and comfort of the individual undergoing the psychedelic experience. And if the client requests a “Hard No” touch while in an altered state, the guide can redirect to a previously agreed upon “Yes” touch and let the client know that together you can revisit Hard No touches before your next session when the client is in an unaltered state.
Both Dr. Holland and Dr. Mirer acknowledged that the topic of informed consent in psychedelic therapy is expansive and complex, warranting more time for in-depth exploration. Dr. Holland suggested and may be working on a conference dedicated solely to this topic in order to have adequate discussions and trainings around informed consent.
Their collaborative approach to informed consent, although seemingly intuitive, presents a simple and doable approach to navigating the ethical complexities of these therapeutic journeys.
Thank you to both Dr. Julie Holland and Dr. Julia Mirer for tackling such an important harm-reduction topic, and to the Microdose team, for providing a platform to discuss this important subject. As the psychedelic renaissance continues, conversations like these are essential for building a responsible and ethical foundation within the field. 🍄💖
