Integration circles — what they are and how to find or start one

Integration circles are peer-led group gatherings where people share and process psychedelic experiences with others who have similar context. They are typically: free or low-cost, peer-facilitated (not clinically led), held in community spaces or online, structured around sharing and listening rather than clinical processing. The model is closer to AA or grief support groups than to group therapy. The peer-to-peer element — being understood by people who've had similar experiences — is often described as uniquely valuable.

Finding integration circles: Meetup.com (search 'psychedelic integration'), local psychedelic society events (MAPS, Psymposia, local chapters), Zendo Project and Fireside Project referrals, Psychedelic Alpha's community section. Some online circles are Zoom-based and serve people in areas without local options — Integration Circles.com and Psychedelic Integration Alliance run some of these.

Starting one if there isn't one near you: not as hard as it sounds. You need a venue (someone's home or a rented space), a basic facilitation structure (opening, sharing rounds, grounding close), and some initial community. The Zendo Project has published free facilitation guides. Start with 4-6 people you trust, run monthly, keep it simple. The circle often attracts more people organically once it exists.