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PSYCHEDELICS AND ART THERAPY: A Trauma-Informed Manual for Somatic Self Discovery
This book serves as a vital resource for clinicians, therapists, and individuals aiming to integrate their psychedelic experiences through the transformative practice of Art Therapy. Rooted in a Trauma‑informed approach, Psychedelics and Art Therapy: A Trauma‑Informed Manual for Somatic Self Discovery offers guidance on navigating the profound psychological and emotional shifts that often accompany such journeys. This book combines creative exercises with meditation and neuroscientific insights to show how Art Therapy can effectively reroute neural pathways, fostering sustained emotional well‑being and personal growth. In an era where the underground market of psychedelic therapy is often unsafe and commercially driven, this book advocates for a sustainable approach to healing that prevents habitual reliance on these substances. Authored by an Art Therapist with over a decade of specialized experience in psychedelic preparation and integration, this book transcends the underground stigmas associated with drug culture, offering a trusted path to healing grounded in therapeutic practices that honor transpersonal and Indigenous wisdom. As the conversation around Psychedelics in therapy evolves, this essential guide provides a structured and compassionate approach to integration and healing, ensuring long‑term personal empowerment and inner well‑being. |
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SACRED GEOMETRY VISIONARY ART -
COLORING BOOK The artwork of Artist and Somatic Art Therapist, Charmaine Husum RCAT, DKATI, RTC, CT becomes available to all in this new edition colouring book and exploration into the power of Sacred Geometry. The Visionary Artwork within these 135 high quality printed pages are for you to explore and enjoy the calming and restorative practice within your meditation. For you to creatively express finding inner peace as you enjoy the therapeutic benefits, colouring can bring. Included are original artworks you may frame as well as outlined versions for you to explore and express your own process. Charmaine Husum's Sacred Geometry art work is created from a place of deep meditation and reflection, allowing a channelling of the energies you see in the original art. Also used as a tool in meditation, using a soft gaze, notice the language of Sacred Geometry speaking to you on a Soul level. As you gaze into the originals, some areas will soften as others brighten, allowing the healing download information intended with each piece. This book is for people of all ages to experience the magic that sacred geometry and the creative process brings. Click Here to purchase on Amazon |
Endorsments:
The book of Charmaine Husum is a valuable contribution to the important subject of integration and healing by building a bridge between the work with psychedelics and art therapy. As an art therapist with extensive experience with trauma work she is providing the theoretical background of psychedelic work and art therapy combined with practical creative exercises and meditations supporting the integration of experiences in non- ordinary states of consciousness. The use of art as an instrument of integration has been part of my psychedelic research since the early years in Prague, Czech Republic and is still and important part of my contemporary holotropic work and our training with breathwork (Grof ® Breathwork) and psychedelics www.grof-legacy-training.com . Her book on psychedelics and art therapy can offer important guidelines for the work of therapists and for anybody
who wishes to use art therapy as an instrument to deepen the integration of psychedelic experiences.
Stanislav Grof, MD,PHD, Author of The Way of the Psychonaut
Brigitte Grof, PhD, Author of Holotropic Art- Images from Hidden Worlds
“Psychedelics and Art Therapy brings together two healing traditions in a clear, comprehensive and constructive way. It finds a nice balance between theoretical context and clinical practicality. It offers a unique blend of art therapy, meditation and neuroscience, specifically tailored to the integration of psychedelic experiences into daily life. As a workbook, it has an important place as an adjunct in working with a therapist and will be useful as a self-help guide for those seeking healing and growth on their own. But there’s also food aplenty here for both beginning therapist and experienced veteran. “
Bruce Tobin, PhD, RCC, ATR(BC) founder of TheraPsil (2019) Advocacy for patient access to medical psilocybin. Charter & Honorary Life Member BC Art Therapy Assn.
“Psychedelics and Art Therapy offers a thorough foundation in how to structure psychedelic assisted art therapy, as well as describing the persons and traditions associated with this emerging healing practice. Styled as a manual for self-discovery, Husum’s book emphasizes a trauma informed approach incorporating the creation of a safe, supportive environment for psychedelic experiences, and promoting empowerment, choice, and informed consent to avoid re-traumatization. She emphasizes the importance of harm reduction, noting the risk for repressed trauma memories to emerge, and offers guidelines to prepare for a psychedelic session to minimize negative outcomes and increase potential benefits. This book will be an invaluable resource for those undertaking a course of psychedelic assisted psychotherapy or for art therapists, psychologists, and counselors who support persons through an experience with psychedelic substances.”
Susanne F. Fincher, MA, LPC, ATR-BC
“Charmaine Husum’s Psychedelics and Art Therapy impresses with how much information is provided and is more than the description portrays. It is evident mountains of work has been done and the book covers so many variables in the processes of trauma, psychedelics, art, spirituality, altered states of consciousness, indigenous religious practices, and more. The information is very informative. I especially appreciate information on bad trips and cautions on usage of various substances. These topics, such as possession, are not readily talked about. Husum has opened the way for them to be named, recognized, and dealt with.”
Marilyn Clark, LCPC
“This groundbreaking book is a must read for therapists navigating the new frontiers of art therapy and psychedelics. Husum has written a very readable comprehensive workbook on non-ordinary states of consciousness, psychedelics, and the use of meditation, breath work, and specifically the value and role for Art therapy in this field. Husum advocates for a safe trauma informed approach, and she is exceedingly thoughtful regarding the legal and ethical aspects within the larger historical and medical context of using drugs for healing, personal growth, and therapy. Husum is aware of the value and historical use of plants in sacred and healing practices and the impact of the current psychedelic tourism has on Indigenous cultures. Charmaine Husum’s book will be of value for therapists and practitioners who wish to integrate meditation and creative explorations in the field of psychedelics.”
Monica Carpendale, BFA, DVATI, RCAT, BCATR, HLM, Professor Emeritus, Kutenai Art Therapy Institute.
who wishes to use art therapy as an instrument to deepen the integration of psychedelic experiences.
Stanislav Grof, MD,PHD, Author of The Way of the Psychonaut
Brigitte Grof, PhD, Author of Holotropic Art- Images from Hidden Worlds
“Psychedelics and Art Therapy brings together two healing traditions in a clear, comprehensive and constructive way. It finds a nice balance between theoretical context and clinical practicality. It offers a unique blend of art therapy, meditation and neuroscience, specifically tailored to the integration of psychedelic experiences into daily life. As a workbook, it has an important place as an adjunct in working with a therapist and will be useful as a self-help guide for those seeking healing and growth on their own. But there’s also food aplenty here for both beginning therapist and experienced veteran. “
Bruce Tobin, PhD, RCC, ATR(BC) founder of TheraPsil (2019) Advocacy for patient access to medical psilocybin. Charter & Honorary Life Member BC Art Therapy Assn.
“Psychedelics and Art Therapy offers a thorough foundation in how to structure psychedelic assisted art therapy, as well as describing the persons and traditions associated with this emerging healing practice. Styled as a manual for self-discovery, Husum’s book emphasizes a trauma informed approach incorporating the creation of a safe, supportive environment for psychedelic experiences, and promoting empowerment, choice, and informed consent to avoid re-traumatization. She emphasizes the importance of harm reduction, noting the risk for repressed trauma memories to emerge, and offers guidelines to prepare for a psychedelic session to minimize negative outcomes and increase potential benefits. This book will be an invaluable resource for those undertaking a course of psychedelic assisted psychotherapy or for art therapists, psychologists, and counselors who support persons through an experience with psychedelic substances.”
Susanne F. Fincher, MA, LPC, ATR-BC
“Charmaine Husum’s Psychedelics and Art Therapy impresses with how much information is provided and is more than the description portrays. It is evident mountains of work has been done and the book covers so many variables in the processes of trauma, psychedelics, art, spirituality, altered states of consciousness, indigenous religious practices, and more. The information is very informative. I especially appreciate information on bad trips and cautions on usage of various substances. These topics, such as possession, are not readily talked about. Husum has opened the way for them to be named, recognized, and dealt with.”
Marilyn Clark, LCPC
“This groundbreaking book is a must read for therapists navigating the new frontiers of art therapy and psychedelics. Husum has written a very readable comprehensive workbook on non-ordinary states of consciousness, psychedelics, and the use of meditation, breath work, and specifically the value and role for Art therapy in this field. Husum advocates for a safe trauma informed approach, and she is exceedingly thoughtful regarding the legal and ethical aspects within the larger historical and medical context of using drugs for healing, personal growth, and therapy. Husum is aware of the value and historical use of plants in sacred and healing practices and the impact of the current psychedelic tourism has on Indigenous cultures. Charmaine Husum’s book will be of value for therapists and practitioners who wish to integrate meditation and creative explorations in the field of psychedelics.”
Monica Carpendale, BFA, DVATI, RCAT, BCATR, HLM, Professor Emeritus, Kutenai Art Therapy Institute.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Charmaine Husum RCAT, RTC, CT, DKATI is a Registered Art Therapist, Somatic Counsellor, Kundalini Yoga Teacher and Psychedelic Integration Specialist, whose work is deeply rooted in the intersection of creativity, healing, and spiritual connection. With nearly 30 years of professional artistic experience, Charmaine’s journey began as an internationally recognized Scenic Artist, contributing to major film and television productions such as Brokeback Mountain, Twilight, The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, Night at the Museum, and The Last of Us. Her artistic talents led her to work with some of the most prominent creative geniuses of our time, including Tom Waits and directors such as Terry Gilliam and Ang Lee, crafting immersive environments that have been celebrated on both screen and stage.
However, it is her personal journey through trauma and healing that has most profoundly shaped her career. From an early age, Charmaine found solace and expression in art, dance and poetry, tools that helped her navigate the challenges of abuse, foster care, leaving home at fourteen, and overcoming early escapism through self-harm, drugs, and alcohol. This personal experience with the transformative power of creative processes laid the foundation for her later work as an Art Therapist.
After extensive travel and living in different parts of the world, Charmaine now runs her private practice, Centre of the Heart, on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut'ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, and the Métis people of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Here, she offers both in-person and online support to clients regionally and internationally, helping them integrate the insights and healing gained from their lived and psychedelic experiences through Trauma Informed Art Therapy, Counseling, Meditation, and Somatic Approaches.
Her current research delves into the exciting fields of neuroplasticity, neuroscience, epigenetics, and mystical/psychedelic integration, exploring how ancestral experiences influence our lives today. Charmaine’s belief that the traumas and stories of our ancestors are encoded in our DNA fuels her passion for helping others heal not just themselves, but the generational wounds that may linger within.
Although her extensive experimentation with psychedelics began recreationally at a very young age, the transformational healing she experienced was only achieved through structured ceremony, later on in life. Her own work using psychedelic plant medicines and breathwork for healing revealed to her, a distressing gap within the potential of lasting transformation when proper integration and follow up support wasn’t available. Ceremonies could leave her feeling empty and without the answers needed as she looked outside of herself for healing. Her training in Art Therapy and deep meditation allowed for true healing and to make sense of the wisdom received during ceremonies.
As she continued working within the sub-culture of psychedelic therapy, the shadow sides that could emerge without proper preparation and integration became increasingly apparent. After witnessing so many around her tragically end their journeys of life after using medicines intended for healing, her commitment to supporting the preparation and integration of psychedelics became a mission fueled by her own successful experiences with Art Therapy and Meditation—a fire that continues to burn brightly, refusing to be extinguished. Contrary to many working in this field, Charmaine does not advocate for the use of psychedelics but rather, the support of proper preparation and integration and believes that true and lasting healing can only come from within.
As an advocate for a harm-reduction and trauma-informed approach in the therapeutic use of psychedelics, for nearly 10 years, Charmaine has labored over the creation of this manual and book Psychedelics & Art Therapy, and created the Psychedelics & Art Therapy -- Preparation & Integration course, aimed at providing structured, supportive frameworks for individuals to process and integrate their psychedelic journeys. She is committed to helping her clients tap into their inner resources and transpersonal connections to spirit after experiencing Non-ordinary States of Consciousness (NOSC), whether through psychedelics or other means.
Through her workshops, online courses, and international retreats, Charmaine continues to share her knowledge and experience, guiding others on their paths to healing and personal growth. Her visionary art, which she describes as channeling energy beyond herself, stands as a testament to her belief that beauty can emerge from hardship, and that creative expression is a profound catalyst for transformation.
Charmaine Husum RCAT, RTC, CT, DKATI is a Registered Art Therapist, Somatic Counsellor, Kundalini Yoga Teacher and Psychedelic Integration Specialist, whose work is deeply rooted in the intersection of creativity, healing, and spiritual connection. With nearly 30 years of professional artistic experience, Charmaine’s journey began as an internationally recognized Scenic Artist, contributing to major film and television productions such as Brokeback Mountain, Twilight, The Imaginarium of Dr. Parnassus, Night at the Museum, and The Last of Us. Her artistic talents led her to work with some of the most prominent creative geniuses of our time, including Tom Waits and directors such as Terry Gilliam and Ang Lee, crafting immersive environments that have been celebrated on both screen and stage.
However, it is her personal journey through trauma and healing that has most profoundly shaped her career. From an early age, Charmaine found solace and expression in art, dance and poetry, tools that helped her navigate the challenges of abuse, foster care, leaving home at fourteen, and overcoming early escapism through self-harm, drugs, and alcohol. This personal experience with the transformative power of creative processes laid the foundation for her later work as an Art Therapist.
After extensive travel and living in different parts of the world, Charmaine now runs her private practice, Centre of the Heart, on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy (Siksika, Kainai, Piikani), the Tsuut'ina, the Îyâxe Nakoda Nations, and the Métis people of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Here, she offers both in-person and online support to clients regionally and internationally, helping them integrate the insights and healing gained from their lived and psychedelic experiences through Trauma Informed Art Therapy, Counseling, Meditation, and Somatic Approaches.
Her current research delves into the exciting fields of neuroplasticity, neuroscience, epigenetics, and mystical/psychedelic integration, exploring how ancestral experiences influence our lives today. Charmaine’s belief that the traumas and stories of our ancestors are encoded in our DNA fuels her passion for helping others heal not just themselves, but the generational wounds that may linger within.
Although her extensive experimentation with psychedelics began recreationally at a very young age, the transformational healing she experienced was only achieved through structured ceremony, later on in life. Her own work using psychedelic plant medicines and breathwork for healing revealed to her, a distressing gap within the potential of lasting transformation when proper integration and follow up support wasn’t available. Ceremonies could leave her feeling empty and without the answers needed as she looked outside of herself for healing. Her training in Art Therapy and deep meditation allowed for true healing and to make sense of the wisdom received during ceremonies.
As she continued working within the sub-culture of psychedelic therapy, the shadow sides that could emerge without proper preparation and integration became increasingly apparent. After witnessing so many around her tragically end their journeys of life after using medicines intended for healing, her commitment to supporting the preparation and integration of psychedelics became a mission fueled by her own successful experiences with Art Therapy and Meditation—a fire that continues to burn brightly, refusing to be extinguished. Contrary to many working in this field, Charmaine does not advocate for the use of psychedelics but rather, the support of proper preparation and integration and believes that true and lasting healing can only come from within.
As an advocate for a harm-reduction and trauma-informed approach in the therapeutic use of psychedelics, for nearly 10 years, Charmaine has labored over the creation of this manual and book Psychedelics & Art Therapy, and created the Psychedelics & Art Therapy -- Preparation & Integration course, aimed at providing structured, supportive frameworks for individuals to process and integrate their psychedelic journeys. She is committed to helping her clients tap into their inner resources and transpersonal connections to spirit after experiencing Non-ordinary States of Consciousness (NOSC), whether through psychedelics or other means.
Through her workshops, online courses, and international retreats, Charmaine continues to share her knowledge and experience, guiding others on their paths to healing and personal growth. Her visionary art, which she describes as channeling energy beyond herself, stands as a testament to her belief that beauty can emerge from hardship, and that creative expression is a profound catalyst for transformation.
