Expectations and Intentions

We’ve already discussed the importance of intention setting throughout this certification pathway; however, it is important to remind yourself of the difference between setting an expectation and setting an intention.

Please ensure that you read through all tabs to compare expectations and intentions.

Expectation

An expectation is outcome-focused. When we set expectations, we are hoping for that result to happen. When an expectation is fulfilled, we may be happy; and when an expectation is not fulfilled, we may be disappointed. It is not uncommon for those undergoing psychedelic-assisted therapy to set an expectation – even unconsciously - that the Medicine Session will solve all their problems which can lead to disappointment. For example, some expectations include:

  • I am going to experience oneness with the universe.
  • I am looking forward to having spiritual insights.
  • I could really use a boost to my mood.
  • I am going to finally understand my attachment problems.
  • I won't feel ________ (depressed, anxious, etc) after this session.
  • The medicine is going to give me a re-set (and I can start fresh).

Intention

An intention directs the focus of your Medicine Session and helps to guide you in a general direction. An intention is not tied to a specific outcome. Rather it helps provide a point of reference for your journey, while maintaining openness to whatever the arises in the medicine experience. For example, some intentions include:

  • My intention is to trust, let go and be open to whatever arises today.
  • My intention is to be present for the full range of experiences that arise today
  • My intention is to get curious about what the medicine has to teach me about my sadness.
  • Connect me with my inner strength
  • Teach me about trust
  • Teach me about my anger
  • Teach me about my fear
  • Show me my purpose
  • Help me to develop a deeper connection with myself and others

Note

It is important not to hold intentions too rigidly. Once an intention is set, it can be helpful to forget about it until after the session is over.

Intention Setting Guides

Watts & Luoma (2020) provide some key considerations for intention setting to help you prior to your Medicine Session:

  • Intentions are simple, clear, and focused
  • Intentions support a future-focused view
  • Intention setting includes discovering, distilling, and refining the client’s underlying beliefs, cognitive, and emotional patterns and identifying their relationship to the intention
  • Intentions are often directly related to the client’s suffering, need for change, and values
  • Intentions can be a changing and ongoing exploration
  • The outcome of intentions in the psychedelic-assisted session may arise differently than how the client imagined or expected

You can also use the two frameworks we used in Fundamentals of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy to help set an intention:

ACE Body Scan for Intention Setting

The ACE Body scan, as illustrated in this graphic, can also be used to set an intention. Please follow along with this audio guide which will help you start to think about which intentions you can set for your Medicine Session.

ACE body scan process with the let go, then sense, then feel stages below the water. At the surface of the water, there is self, then meaning, then intention.

Figure 3.3: Adapted from Watts & Luoma, 2020.

Optional Video: ACE Body Scan

18:26

In previous courses, you have listened to Dr. Rosalind Watts guide an ACE Body Scan. If you would like to participate in the ACE Body Scan again, please watch this video.

Activity

Please record your values in your Experiential Period Preparation Worksheet for your portfolio.

References

Watts, R., & Luoma, J. B. (2020). The use of the psychological flexibility model to support psychedelic assisted therapy. Journal of Contextual Behavioral Science, 15, 92-102.