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Finding the divine within: exploring the role of the sacred in psychedelic integration therapy for sexual trauma and dysfunction

Dee Dee Goldpaugh

Sexual & Relationship Therapy October 20, 2021 DOI: 10.1080/14681994.2021.1994138 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Intervention Psychedelic integration therapy
Topics Addiction Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy
Keywords Pleasure Human sexuality Psychotherapist Sexual desire Shame Embodied cognition Meaning existential Sexual addiction Psychoanalysis Aesthetics Hallucinogen Gender studies
Citations 22
Key points Argues that psychedelic integration therapy for sexual trauma uses ecstasy, direct communication with the divine, and sacred embodied pleasure to achieve sustained trauma healing, increased sexual satisfaction, and wellbeing.

Abstract

During the last two decades, psychedelic-assisted therapy has emerged as one of the most promising novel treatments for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance use disorders. These medicines have also been used in sacred, ritual settings for, in some cases, centuries. Often referred to as entheogens (meaning “creating the divine within”), psychedelic plant medicines such as psilocybin mushrooms, mescaline-containing cacti, and ayahuasca are unique for their ability to induce a direct and personal experience of the divine. In my work as a psychedelic integration psychotherapist who specializes in sexual trauma as well as issues around gender and sexuality, I have seen my clients transform trauma and develop a healthy relationship to their identity after these profoundly sacred experiences with psychedelic plant medicines in ritual settings. Clients who have sought healing with plant medicines describe an experience of the ineffable, direct communication with divinity or ancestors, and deep felt experiences of embodied pleasure free from shame. Psychedelic integration therapy for sexual trauma uses the experience of ecstasy, direct communication with the divine, and sacred embodied pleasure as vehicles to achieve sustained trauma healing, increased sexual satisfaction, and wellbeing.

Comparable studies

Other theoretical and historical papers on psilocybin for addiction, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Psychedelics as Medicines: An Emerging New Paradigm General population 2016 Theoretical or philosophical paper
Jeremy Shaw's DMT 2017 Theoretical or philosophical paper
High hopes? Precision psychedelic addiction medicine 2025 Theoretical or philosophical paper
Psilocybin: Next to treat depression, OCD and nicotine addiction 2021 Historical analysis
A new classification of the psychoactive substances (stimulants, entactogens, hallucinogens) 2009 Theoretical or philosophical paper

Citations in the library

Cited by 16

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Cites 15

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Addiction Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy Anxiety Ayahuasca Depression MDMA Mescaline PTSD Shamanism

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