A Crisis Point

It was early spring in Boulder, Colorado, when Emily and Jordan first logged into their virtual psychedelic integration therapy session. Married for six years, their relationship had seen better days. Emily felt emotionally disconnected, and Jordan struggled with lingering trauma from childhood that neither of them had ever fully acknowledged.

“We felt stuck,” Emily shared. “We were cycling through the same arguments, unable to hear each other. The love was there, but so much was buried under unresolved pain.”

Their story is not unique. As more couples seek deeper healing, many are turning to online psychedelic integration therapy as a bridge toward reconnection and transformation.

In this guest post, we’ll walk through Emily and Jordan’s journey, explain how virtual psychedelic integration therapy in Boulder and Longmont works, and offer practical insights for those considering this path.

The Psychedelic Catalyst

Emily had attended a women’s psilocybin retreat in Costa Rica. She returned with a heart cracked open—overwhelmed by new insights and old wounds alike.

Jordan, skeptical but supportive, later had a solo Ketamine-assisted experience with a prescriber in Longmont. The experience stirred up long-suppressed memories of neglect and emotional isolation from his early years.

While the psychedelic journeys themselves were powerful, the aftermath left them feeling raw. The emotional exposure brought more vulnerability—but also more confusion.

This is where many people get stuck. The psychedelic experience opens the door, but without proper support and integration, it can be difficult to make sense of it all.

Enter Psychedelic Integration

What Is Psychedelic Integration?

Psychedelic Integration is the intentional process of making sense of insights, emotions, and memories that emerge during a psychedelic experience. It’s not about the trip itself—it’s about weaving the wisdom of that experience into everyday life.

Whether you’re dealing with a spiritual awakening, a flood of repressed trauma, or simply deep emotional upheaval, integration provides the container for healing.

According to Dan Michels, a Licensed Professional Counselor and Certified Hakomi Therapist based in Boulder and Longmont:

“Psychedelic experiences can be beautiful and also disorienting. Integration provides a safe, nonjudgmental space to anchor those experiences in your life and relationships.”

Dan’s approach is grounded in mindfulness and somatic therapy, drawing from his extensive background in transpersonal psychology and his clinical training at Naropa University. He understands the nuances of psychedelic experiences and how they interface with emotional wounds, attachment styles, and trauma.

The Online Integration Experience

Why Online?

For Emily and Jordan, in-person therapy felt inaccessible. They both had demanding jobs, and they lived in separate cities for part of the week. The idea of virtual psychedelic integration therapy gave them a lifeline.

Through Online Psychedelic Integration Therapy in Boulder and Longmont, couples like Emily and Jordan are able to:

• Access care from the comfort of home
• Maintain flexibility with scheduling
• Work with a therapist experienced in both psychedelics and couples counseling

With Dan, they had weekly sessions via Zoom that focused on integrating their psychedelic insights, but also healing their relational patterns.

What Happened in Sessions?

The sessions combined elements of:

• Internal Family Systems (IFS): Helping each partner identify and communicate with inner “parts” of themselves that were holding pain or reactive tendencies.
• Hakomi Method: A mindfulness-based, body-centered approach that helped uncover unconscious beliefs.
• PACT Couples Therapy: Using attachment theory and neuroscience to rewire unhealthy interaction patterns.

Each session was trauma-informed, experiential, and grounded in mindful presence.

Breakthrough Moments

One day, Emily had a revelation: the part of her that shut down during conflict was the same part that had learned to suppress pain during her teenage years. Jordan recognized that his emotional withdrawal was a protective strategy rooted in early neglect.

This led to a profound shift.

“We stopped seeing each other as enemies in conflict,” Jordan said. “We started seeing the scared parts inside each other.”

They began to speak to each other with more compassion, creating new neural pathways of trust and safety. The psychedelic experiences were the spark—but online integration therapy was the path to lasting transformation.

Common Questions & Misconceptions

Is Online Psychedelic Integration Therapy Legitimate?

Yes. Virtual sessions are just as impactful when facilitated by a skilled practitioner. In fact, many clients report that being in a familiar home environment allows them to open up more.

Do You Have to Use Psychedelics to Benefit?

No. While integration therapy is designed for those who’ve had psychedelic experiences (including Ketamine), the techniques—especially somatic and mindfulness-based modalities—are helpful for anyone seeking deeper healing.

What If My Partner Is Resistant?

This is common. In these cases, beginning with individual sessions can be a great first step. Often, once one partner begins to experience shifts, the other becomes more open.

E-E-A-T and Trust in the Healing Relationship

Experience

Dan Michels draws on years of personal and clinical experience with psychedelics, mindfulness, and trauma healing. He understands both the spiritual and psychological terrain that clients are navigating.

He also shares his experiential insights in open conversations such as his YouTube interview with therapist Hannah Kinderlehrer, where they candidly discuss the Charming-Seductive character strategy. These authentic dialogues demonstrate Dan’s comfort with vulnerability and self-awareness—essential qualities for any therapist facilitating psychedelic integration.

Expertise

With a Master’s in Transpersonal Counseling Psychology from Naropa University and certifications in Hakomi and PACT Level 2 couples therapy, Dan brings a multi-dimensional expertise that few therapists can offer.

He is also well-versed in combining Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy with integrative modalities like IFS and somatic experiencing. His therapeutic toolkit is both expansive and finely tuned to the nuances of altered states and trauma healing.

Authoritativeness

Operating out of Boulder and Longmont, Dan is part of a growing community of psychedelic therapists pioneering safe, ethical, and trauma-informed integration work. His website, danmichels.com, offers education and free consultations.

He is active on LinkedIn, where his profile reflects a long-standing commitment to professional development, trauma-informed therapy, and the ethical use of psychedelics in clinical practice.

Trustworthiness

Dan emphasizes relationship, trust, and safety as cornerstones of his work. Clients consistently report feeling seen, heard, and deeply supported.

“The psychedelic experience was transformative,” said Emily. “But it was Dan’s presence and guidance that made it real in our lives.”

Practical Tips for Integration in Relationships

Whether or not you’re ready for therapy, here are a few ways to begin integrating your psychedelic experiences into your relationship:

1. Journal Separately, Then Share

Take 10–15 minutes each week to reflect on your experience individually, then come together and share your insights without judgment.

2. Use Mindful Language

Instead of “You always do this,” try “I notice that when this happens, I feel…”

3. Explore Parts Work Together

Name the “parts” of yourself that come up in conflict—like “the protector,” “the wounded child,” or “the fixer.” Invite curiosity rather than blame.

4. Seek Support

Consider reaching out for a free 30-minute consultation with Dan Michels. Having a trained guide can make all the difference.

Contact Dan here

A New Chapter for Emily and Jordan

Six months later, Emily and Jordan sit side by side on their couch for their final session with Dan. They laugh, hold hands, and reflect on how far they’ve come.

“We found each other again,” Emily said. “Not by fixing each other—but by healing together.”

Their journey illustrates what’s possible with courage, intention, and the right support.

Is Online Psychedelic Integration Right for You?

If you or your partner have had a psychedelic experience that left you feeling cracked open, uncertain, or inspired to grow—don’t go it alone.

Online Psychedelic Integration Therapy in Boulder and Longmont offers a powerful, accessible, and effective way to translate insight into lasting change.

Whether you’re seeking healing from trauma, rekindling connection in your relationship, or simply navigating new dimensions of self, this work is not about fixing—it’s about integrating.

And integration is where the real magic happens.