10 Questions to Ask Before Starting Psychedelic Therapy

I’ll never forget the first time someone asked me if I’d ever considered psychedelic therapy. It was a friend, sitting across from me over coffee, speaking quietly but with a strange kind of clarity in her voice. She had just come out of a guided session using ketamine for long-standing depression, and the light in her eyes was different. It wasn’t euphoria. It was calm. Hopeful.

Like many people, I’d grown up thinking psychedelics were something you only encountered at music festivals or in counterculture circles. But now? They’re showing up in clinical settings, neuroscience labs, and even therapists’ offices.

Psychedelic therapy is no longer taboo- it’s a growing, evidence-backed treatment option for depression, PTSD, anxiety, addiction, and more. But stepping into this space can feel intimidating. How do you know if it’s right for you? What should you look for? Who can you trust?

Let’s walk through 10 essential questions you should ask before beginning your psychedelic therapy journey- questions that could make all the difference between a transformative experience and one that falls short.

1. What Are My Intentions for This Journey?

This isn’t just about curiosity. It’s about healing. Before any session, whether it involves psilocybin, MDMA, or ketamine, take time to reflect on what you're hoping to work through.

Is it unresolved trauma? Persistent depression? A need to reconnect with yourself?

Clear intentions don’t guarantee a “perfect” trip, but they ground the experience and give your mind something to anchor to during difficult emotional moments.

2. Is Psychedelic Therapy Legal Where I Live?

Laws around psychedelic substances are rapidly changing in the U.S. While ketamine therapy is legal in a clinical setting and FDA-approved for treatment-resistant depression, other substances like psilocybin or MDMA remain federally controlled, even if decriminalized in some cities.

It’s crucial to understand what’s allowed in your state—and more importantly, ensure you're working within a legal and ethical framework. If you’re in places like Oregon, parts of Colorado, or cities like Oakland, options might be broader. But even in cities like Philadelphia, ketamine therapy is available and growing rapidly in accessibility.

3. Am I Physically and Mentally Prepared?

Psychedelic therapy isn’t for everyone. If you have a history of psychosis, bipolar disorder, or serious heart conditions, it may not be safe. Even if you’re generally healthy, it’s smart to have a full screening by a qualified medical provider.

Mentally, preparation is just as important. You may experience intense emotions or buried memories. This isn’t something to enter lightly—it’s a journey inward, and it helps to be stable and supported before diving deep.

4. Who Will Be Guiding Me- and What Are Their Credentials?

This might be the most important question you ask.

The psychedelic therapy field is still young and, in some areas, unregulated. Make sure your guide, facilitator, or therapist is trained not only in working with the substance itself but in trauma-informed care, psychological support, and post-session integration.

Ask about:

• Licensing (for ketamine clinics)
• Specific psychedelic training programs (like MAPS or CIIS)
• Experience level and client reviews

Trust your gut. If something feels off, it probably is.

5. What Substance Will I Be Using, and Why?

Different psychedelics have different effects and risks. A ketamine experience is typically short, lasting about 45 minutes to an hour. Psilocybin journeys can last 4-6 hours. MDMA-assisted therapy, currently in late-stage FDA trials, can last even longer.

Each substance interacts uniquely with the brain and the psyche. Know what you’re taking. Know the dose. Ask why it’s being chosen for your specific needs.

6. What Does the Process Look Like, Start to Finish?

Psychedelic therapy isn’t just the session itself. A good provider will offer a structured process, including:

Preparation sessions to discuss your mental health history and set intentions

The psychedelic experience in a safe, supportive environment

Integration sessions to help you process, reflect, and implement any insights afterward

Skipping integration is like waking up from a powerful dream and forgetting to write it down. That’s where the real change happens.

7. What Support System Do I Have in Place?

The hours and days following a psychedelic session can be delicate. Emotions may feel heightened. Memories can resurface. It helps to have people you trust, friends, family, a therapist, available to talk to, or just sit with you.

If you don’t have that kind of support, ask your provider what additional care they offer or recommend. You shouldn’t have to navigate the aftershocks alone.

8. What Are the Risks and Side Effects?

Let’s be honest: no treatment comes without risks. While psychedelics are showing incredible promise, they can also bring up anxiety, paranoia, or uncomfortable physical sensations.

Ketamine, for example, can cause dissociation or nausea. Psilocybin can lead to “bad trips” if not well-supported. Knowing this ahead of time helps reduce fear and opens the door to more grounded expectations.

9. How Will I Measure Progress or Healing?

Psychedelic therapy isn’t always a single-session solution. It may take multiple treatments, spaced out over weeks or months, with time for reflection in between.

Think about what healing means to you. Is there fewer panic attacks? Feeling more connected? Being able to forgive yourself?

Set loose goals. Write them down. And be gentle with your timeline. Healing rarely follows a straight line.

10. Am I Ready to Do the Work Afterward?

This one’s hard to hear, but essential.

Psychedelics can open doors. But you still have to walk through them. You might come out of a session with deep insights about your life, your patterns, and your pain. But those insights are only as useful as what you do with them.

Are you ready to journal, to talk it through, to change your habits, maybe even revisit therapy?

Because that’s where the growth sticks.

Final Thoughts

Starting psychedelic therapy is a big step, not because it’s trendy, but because it can genuinely help you reconnect with yourself in a way few other therapies can. It isn’t about escaping your problems. It’s about facing them, maybe for the first time, with a new kind of compassion and courage.

And if you're in the Northeast and considering this path, you’ll find that ketamine therapy Philadelphia providers are some of the most innovative and supportive in the country. From trauma recovery to mood disorders, they’re blending cutting-edge science with compassionate care, and helping people like my friend (and maybe even you) find their way back to themselves.

You’re not broken. You’re just ready to heal. Ask the questions. Take your time. And when you’re ready, step in.