Group Psychedelic Therapy: Healing Together with Ketamine and Beyond

Sometimes healing isn’t something we’re meant to do alone. Group psychedelic therapy offers a unique space for shared healing—where the power of psychedelic medicine meets the strength of community. If you’re navigating depression, anxiety, PTSD, or even the chronic weight of grief or pain, this approach can create profound opportunities for connection, transformation, and growth.

As someone who has facilitated both individual and group psychedelic therapy, I’ve witnessed the way a shared journey can amplify the healing process. Let’s explore what makes group psychedelic therapy so impactful, how it works, and how it might serve you.

What is Group Psychedelic Therapy?

Group psychedelic therapy is a therapeutic approach that combines psychedelic medicines—like ketamine, psilocybin, or MDMA—with the supportive dynamic of a group setting. The medicines work on a neurobiological level to help your brain rewire and reset, while the group space fosters connection, shared understanding, and emotional support.

Healing in a group isn’t about losing your individuality; it’s about realizing you don’t have to carry everything alone. In these sessions, participants share their journeys in an atmosphere of trust and safety, guided by experienced therapists who hold the container for exploration and growth.

Ketamine Group Therapy: A Starting Point

In California, ketamine-assisted therapy is currently the most accessible form of group psychedelic therapy. Ketamine works by targeting the brain’s NMDA receptors, increasing neuroplasticity, and creating a state of openness that allows for deep emotional release and insight.

When used in a group setting, ketamine not only facilitates individual breakthroughs but also fosters collective healing as participants witness and support one another’s processes.

Conditions Commonly Treated with Group Ketamine Therapy:

• Treatment-resistant depression

• Anxiety

• PTSD and trauma

• Chronic pain and illness

• Addiction

• Grief

• Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)

If you’re feeling isolated in your struggles, group therapy offers the chance to connect with others who truly understand.

The Process of Group Psychedelic Therapy

Group psychedelic therapy involves a structured, intentional approach that ensures safety, connection, and meaningful integration. Here’s what to expect:

Step 1: Intake and Connection

Before joining, you’ll go through a detailed intake process to ensure that group therapy is the right fit for your needs. Each group is thoughtfully designed, often focusing on specific themes like healing trauma or navigating grief.

Step 2: Preparation

Preparation is essential in creating a safe container for your journey. In this phase, the group meets to set intentions, build trust, and establish shared values for the experience. This process isn’t just about preparing for the medicine—it’s about preparing to meet yourself with courage and compassion.

Step 3: The Psychedelic Experience

During the session, participants receive the psychedelic medicine—most often ketamine in the form of intramuscular injections, IV infusions, or oral lozenges. Each person’s journey is deeply personal, but the presence of the group creates a supportive energy that can deepen the process.

Participants typically wear eye masks and headphones to encourage introspection, and trained therapists are present to guide and hold the space.

Step 4: Integration

After the psychedelic experience, the group gathers for integration therapy—a space to process insights, share reflections, and make sense of what arose during the session. Integration is where the real magic happens, as it allows you to translate your experiences into meaningful changes in your daily life.

Step 5: Reconnection

Healing is rarely linear, and the work doesn’t end after one session. Many clients find ongoing integration sessions or support groups invaluable for staying grounded and connected as they continue their journey.

Why Group Therapy? The Power of Healing Together

One of the most beautiful aspects of group psychedelic therapy is the sense of connection it fosters. Sharing space with others who are also healing can:

• Expand your empathy: Hearing others’ stories can offer new perspectives on your own experiences.

• Create emotional safety: Knowing you’re not alone in your struggles can reduce feelings of isolation.

• Spark deeper insights: Witnessing the growth of others often mirrors your own process, helping you see yourself more clearly.

Making Psychedelic Therapy Accessible

Group therapy is also a more cost-effective option than individual treatments, allowing more people to access the transformative power of psychedelics. This accessibility doesn’t compromise the quality of care—in fact, the group dynamic often enhances the healing process by creating a collective sense of belonging.

Expanding Beyond Ketamine

While ketamine is currently the most available option in California, there is growing momentum around the therapeutic use of psilocybin and MDMA. Both substances are showing incredible promise in clinical trials for conditions like depression and PTSD.

• Psilocybin, derived from certain mushrooms, works by enhancing emotional openness and breaking through deeply ingrained thought patterns.

• MDMA, known for its heart-opening effects, is especially effective for treating trauma by fostering a sense of safety and connection.

As these medicines become legalized and FDA-approved, group settings will likely play a key role in their integration into mental health care.

Group Psychedelic Therapy in California

California, especially the Bay Area, has become a hub for psychedelic-assisted therapy. If you’re in places like San Francisco, Los Angeles, or nearby areas, you’ll find increasing opportunities to join group ketamine therapy or similar programs.

Group psychedelic therapy isn’t just a treatment—it’s an invitation to step into a circle of shared humanity, where healing is amplified by connection and community.

Let’s Heal Together

At its heart, group psychedelic therapy is about creating spaces where you can listen deeply to yourself and begin to trust the wisdom within you. The group provides a reflection of your own journey—reminding you that while your healing is personal, it’s also part of something greater.

If this resonates with you, I’d love to help you explore what’s possible. Together, we can create the space you need to reconnect, release, and move forward. Reach out today to learn more or schedule a consultation.