Preparation

Introduction

Please read ALL of this page after you book. It contains very important instructions for making the most of your journey.

Stages of Preparation

3 Weeks Prior

• Psychiatric medication: must be discontinued 3 weeks, or at least 11 times its half life, before your session. For help with this I recommend Outro or Dr. Emily Kulpa.

• Group Coaching Calls: Come a couple times and hear others' experiences, share your intentions, or ask questions.

• Read: Learning can help ease fear about the work. Visit the Library section for some useful reading materials. 

1 Week Prior

• Substances & Supplements: For at least one week prior to your session, cut out all unnecessary supplements and drugs including caffeine, nicotine, alcohol, cannabis, 5-HTP, and amphetamines. 

• Sexual activity: Avoid sexual activity, even with yourself, for a 3-5 days before and after the journey.

• Solidify your intentions: You may wish to address specific issues or simply trust the wisdom and guidance of your inner healing intelligence. Consider your intention as a request or a question for the medicine. Pray and/or meditate on your intentions to gain the most clarity possible. What unhelpful patterns of thought, speech & action are you wishing to break, and what new patterns are you wishing to create?

• Cultivate awareness: What are you feeling before your journey? Anxiety or trepidation over the unknown is normal. Journal about the thoughts and feelings you're having.

• Food: Eat a clean diet of whole foods, avoiding overly sweet, salty, spicy or pungent foods. 

• Vices: Avoid any vices or "coping behaviors" that distract you from your feelings. Following a microdosing protocol with Journaling can help with this.

• Obligations: Make sure all obligations for the day can wait until the next day or will be covered by someone else. Do not schedule any obligations for the rest of the day after your journey, and ideally the next day as well.

• Items of Significance: Begin gathering photos and items of significance or comfort to bring to your session (see What To Bring, below)

• Pets: If you have pets in your home, please make sure they will be taken care of during your journey. 

1 Day Prior

• Clear your mind: Avoid scary, violent media and upsetting situations the day before you journey to avoid having it show up in your journey. Clear fears about the work by cultivating a sense of trust in the medicine.

• Let go of expectations: Acknowledge that you may not know what outcome is best for you. Let go of the need to control your experience, and trust that by relaxing into the process that you will receive exactly the healing you need. Be aware that sometimes the results may not be evident for days or weeks. The most profound healing and transformation often happens beyond words or thinking.

• Pack: Put together the things you'll be needing for your journey (see "What to Bring", below).

Morning Of

• No food: It is best to come into the journey with an empty stomach. You may drink water or tea.

• Clothes: Your clothes should be comfortable and honoring the importance of this journey. 

• Hygiene: Please be showered and free of makeup, hair products and fragrances. Please wear socks and sleeves.

What To Bring

For During Your Session

• Your phone & charger with the following voice-activated recording app installed:

  • iOS: [Voice Record Pro app]

  • Android: [Smart Recorder app]

• Your session fee balance payment in cash or by Zelle.

• Notebook & pen for journaling before and after your journey.

• A water bottle, ideally difficult to spill.

• Any medications you might need such as anxiety meds, epi pen, inhaler, etc.

• A notecard with your intentions written out briefly, to keep by your side during your journey to help you remember your purpose.

• Soft cuddly things, any personal comfort items. I'll have basic pillows here for you.

• Item(s) of personal significance, especially anything relating to your intention. These can be totems to represent the parts of you that you'd like to invite into the ceremony or let go during the ceremony.

• Old & recent photos of yourself, significant others, family, close friends, and significant milestones in your life. Print digital photos.

For Immediately After Your Session

• Gentle music and headphones for listening on your own after the journey.

• Artistic supplies for if you feel inspired (drawing, sculpting, music making).

• Healthy comfort food for after your journey (and optionally the next morning if staying overnight)

• A copy of the Integration Journal linked on the Integration page under Integration Resources.

• Consider booking any add-on healing services with Marisa for after your journey

For Remote Zoom Sessions Only

• Bluetooth earphones that will last 8 hours on a charge and won't fall off [example]

• Eye Mask

• Tissues & Waste Bin

• Laptop or phone that can be set up hands free so we can see each other.

• Fast & stable internet connection

• Things to make your ceremony space special, e.g. candle(s), incense, items for an altar, white sage for cleansing, etc.

• Emergency Contact: Please provide me with the contact information of someone nearby that I can contact in the event of an emergency. This can be someone living with you or your next door neighbor. 

My Mentor's Preparation Manual

If you'd like some additional preparation guidance, please refer to my mentor's preparation manual. It has a lot of useful suggestions that didn't all fit here.