Medicine Work
From the dawn of recorded history, sacred medicines have been revered by many cultures for their potent ability to heal psychological, emotional, and spiritual ailments within the community.
These medicines possess immense power and require the utmost respect and deliberate handling. Nevertheless, when administered with appropriate care, intention, and in the right setting, these medicines can facilitate profound healing and transformation
The cycle of medicine work occurs in three distinct phases:
Preparation
The preparation phase can be likened to the initial stages of alchemy, referred to as 'Nigredo.' The primary task involves a deliberate and thoughtful process of cultivating “intention.” We invite you to be intensely curious about yourself and think through what you want to explore. We thoroughly examine expectations, fears, and questions so that you have a rock-solid foundation for the immersive experience ahead.
Immersive Experience
The alchemist needed a well-sealed vessel, known as the 'Vas Bene Clausum', to contain the materials for transformation. The immersive experience aims to provide a safe and distraction-free 'Setting' that can hold the 'Set' you've carefully cultivated in the preparation phase.
Integration
The integration phase can be likened to the alchemical process of “Coagulation.” We work to bring insights gained from the immersive experience back into our everyday lives. In this phase it’s useful to have a skilled therapist help you navigate the symbolic material emerging from the unconscious.
Meet Sophie Murphy
I am a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) based in Arlington Heights, Illinois, with over two decades of experience as a psychotherapist. I got my masters in Counseling from the Seattle School of Theology & Psychology, and spent 7 years training at the C.G. Jung Institute of Chicago.
Most recently, I have focused my practice on the healing power of psychedelic and entheogenic medicines. After extensive training with with IPI and MAPS, I have developed a program that prioritizes safety for individuals interested in working with sacred medicines.