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)
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 | |
| E8‑Based Neurochemical Simulation Accelerates Psilocybin Therapy for Cocaine Addiction — E8 Intelligence Research | 2026 | 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 |