Meet James Lavrakas | Psychedelic Integration Specialist for Introverts/HSP

We had the good fortune of connecting with James Lavrakas and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi James, what do you attribute your success to?
I’ve adopted a personal approach that operates at a different speed and toolset than most psychedelic integration models out there. I curtail my work toward introverts and highly sensitive people and work at their speed, using language that will allow them to feel seen and heard in their own unique way. Providing tools, activities, and opportunities to express that cater more specifically to how they engage with the world.

Sometimes it takes longer for introverts to vocalize how they’re feeling or their thoughts about things because they tend to think things out first in the mind, and then rationalize if certain things are worth saying aloud. This “filtering of the mind” makes it so how people truly feel can be censored or slowed down and so I take account for this in my approach. Typical therapy settings only allot 50 minutes for a session, but I provide space so that thoughts are not interrupted or cut off and sessions can go 60-90 minutes typically uninterrupted. I make space for conclusions or thoughts to resolve naturally and do not preach or expound at my clients, always checking in with them and never talking over them or cutting them off.

This kind of work is deeply personal and is not one size fits all or done with broad strokes. It requires an absolute feeling of trust and safety to go where people need to go for transformational healing. To talk about topics or traumas that are surrounded in shame, guilt, and lack of self love takes time and gentleness. Working with people at length gives them the room to hear and adopt these lessons in their own way and embody them at a natural pace to them.

Everyone has vastly different definitions for things that they’ve adopted or modeled after their parents, family, friends or role models. Words like love, acceptance, trauma, or self-compassion may need to have ample conversation around them because they need to be re-learned or understood better. It takes a very mindful approach to pay attention to all the ways language has been used throughout their lives and how they may or may not trust certain nomenclature. This is about making an ecosystem of healing and growth based on what feels safe and seen by them.

People are very hesitant to do this kind of work because it is often portraid as taboo or unsafe. My job is to dissolve misnombers or misinformation and make someone feel as comfortable as possible with where they are at and how to best engage with these healing spaces. There is always risk involved and we as humans want to minimize our pain or discomforts, but this is about preparing people as best they can be for what may come up during their time with these transformative substances.

Because this is an emerging field, I work to make my care affordable and accessible to whoever may need it. That means that I also am aware and work with my clients on what they can afford and try to meet them where they are in their lives. We reach out for this kind of help not when things are hunky dory and rosy, but when we are pushed to find other avenues because the traditional ones have failed us or are not accessible. I keep that in mind when working with folks to take into account where they are on their journey.

What should our readers know about your business?
Psychedelic Integration coaching or therapy is about capturing the insights and epipanies that occur during a psychedelic journey and incorporating those lessons or new ways of being into our everyday lives. They have the power to fundamentally change us, through how we treat ourselves, others, and our environments. When we dedicate ourselves to this work, it can make us feel capable in a renewed way that we may not have felt in a long time. We can feel the self assuradness to persever through things like depression, anxiety, addiction, unhealthy coping mechanisms, or bad behavior.

Putting myself out there as a psychedelic integration coach was an intimidating declaration, but luckily it has resonated with so many people who were craving this kind of personal development work. Navigating through people’s preconceived notions or stigmas is always a challenge, but everyone is actually a bit more open minded than they may give themselves credit for. It is always a deeply humbling experience to provide space and conversation for people to connect with parts of themselves that they’ve lost touch with, had shamed out of them, or are trying to discover for the first time. I act as a support to you in your conversation and unfolding with the medicine, but it is ultimately your journey. The more you feel supported, listen to, and seee, the deeper you’ll go. Its about reconnecting or finding faith in yourself.

It is such a new emerging field that hopefully soon we will see a larger understanding and acceptance of this approach in only a short amount of years. I fully believe in its healing work as it has led me to a better relationship with myself, loved ones, and significant other in such a short amount of years. It has made me understand better the inclusion of other healing modalitities like talk therapy, somatic therapy, art therapy, meditation, movement/dance, breathwork, and overall being a better steward for the planet and mankind.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am someone that loves my solitude, so there are quite an amazing amount of locations around Los Angeles to be by my lonesome. Redondo beach is amazing for the sun and sand, while beaches further north like Point Dume and El Matador State Beach always capture my imagination and refill my spirit. I enjoy hiking up to Griffith Park Observatory along the various routes and am always in awe with the view at the observation deck of the observatory.

With others, I always enjoy doing a variety of social activities like joining one of the Ecstatic Dance events in Venice Beach for sunset. Nothing feels more magical! It is also a stunning town in its architecture, and I enjoy joining the variety of art deco, craftsman, or mission revival tours taking place across Hollywood or down town.

Other outdoor garden and architecture sites that are stunning across town include for me the Hunnington Library, Descanso Gardens and the Los Angeles County Arboretum. Always a joy to visit, especially during the spring time when flowers are fully in bloom.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
An amazing voice in this field that has inspired me is Skye Weaver. I was fortunate enough to sit with her for a number of years in a psychedelic integration circle that she hosted out of Burbank, Ca. She taught me what it was like to reflect on certain lessons that came up during medicine experiences and how to hold space for others as they have conversation and sort through the stories they’ve told themselves. She is an influential voice in the emerging psychedelic integration field and I would highly recommend seeking out her official resources.

https://psychedelicsittersschool.org/skye-weaver/

Website: www.thepsychedelicintrovert.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the_psychedelic_introvert/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-lavrakas/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepsychedelicintrovert

Image Credits
Oscar Delaguila