Chapter 3 Abstract

For centuries, colonialist powers, like the U.S.A., have been using drug policy as a tactic of oppression. In this chapter, Danielle M. Herrera responds directly to the damage wrought by the ongoing impact of colonization and the structural oppression embedded in many psychotherapy models. Weaving together a dialogue between post-colonial studies, liberation psychology, and psychedelic-assisted therapy, Herrera provides key considerations and practical guidance pertaining to the dismantling of neo-colonial practices in the field and broadening the accessibility of psychedelic healing. Herrera offers the reader a foundational framework for attuning to the manifestations of systemic oppression on both cultural and individual levels, assisting clients in metabolizing cultural trauma, and opening expanded pathways toward collective liberation through psychedelic-assisted therapy.

“This book is a treasure trove of ideas and practical tips, refreshingly and importantly foregrounded in acknowledgement of the debt owed to indigenous plant medicine-using traditions, and the impact of colonization, patriarchy, white supremacy, and corporate greed on the trajectory of psychedelic healing traditions. […] The chapter on ‘Decolonizing Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy’ by Danielle Herrera, MFT, was a wake-up call for me, and is, I feel, a must-read for our community.”