Practical Applications of Decolonising Psychedelic Therapy
Danielle Herrera, LMFT (Psychotherapist, founder and clinical director of Tender Hearts Healing Arts)
Tueday 10 February, 2026 8PM CET (7PM GMT, 2PM ET, 11AM PT)
Online via Zoom
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As psychedelics increasingly enter mainstream clinical and therapeutic settings, questions are emerging about how these practices are situated within, or apart from, the cultural, spiritual, and communal contexts in which many of these practices have long been held. For clinicians, this invites reflection on how healing is conceptualised, what is prioritised in treatment, and how broader social and cultural factors may or may not inform therapeutic work.
Language such as “decolonising” can feel abstract, confronting, or unclear, particularly for practitioners trained within Western medical and psychological frameworks. Many clinicians are left wondering how to engage with these ideas in ways that feel responsible, relevant, and genuinely supportive of their clients, without feeling blamed, overwhelmed, or unsure of where to begin.
In this session, therapist and educator Danielle Herrera invites clinicians into a grounded and compassionate exploration of what decolonising psychedelic psychotherapy can look like in practice. Drawing on case material and clinical interventions she has designed to meet the needs of her clients and community, the session combines teaching with guided reflection and group discussion to support practical application.
Your Key Insights and Takeaways
- Moving beyond the buzzword; what does “decolonising” mean in the context of psychedelic psychotherapy
- Exploring how colonial histories and systemic oppression shape contemporary psychedelic practice
- Understanding non-pathologising and culturally responsive frameworks for working with altered states
- Deepening awareness of positionality, power, and bias in the therapeutic relationship
- Expanding capacities in spiritual competencies in psychedelic therapy practice
- Reflecting on practical ways to avoid reproducing neo-colonial dynamics in clinical and research settings
Designed for Professionals Like You
This session is designed for professionals working in or entering the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy, including:
- Therapists, clinicians, and mental health practitioners seeking ethically grounded and culturally attuned approaches to psychedelic work
- Practitioners who feel uncertain, resistant, or overwhelmed by decolonial language and want a thoughtful, accessible entry point
- Researchers and educators interested in examining power, history, and epistemology within psychedelic science
- Professionals committed to trauma-informed, justice-oriented, and relational models of care
