Breathwork in Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
Breathwork has long occupied a liminal space between wisdom traditions, somatic therapies, and modern neuroscience, making it a natural adjunct to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Unlike psychedelics, which rely on external substances to shift consciousness, breathwork taps into intrinsic physiological and neurological processes to facilitate altered states, emotional release, and deep integration.
In this discussion, we will explore the interface between breathwork and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, considering its role in:
Preparation – How breathwork can prime the nervous system, soften psychological defences, and enhance resilience before a psychedelic experience.
In-session support – The use of breathwork to navigate intensity, modulate anxiety, and support emotional or somatic processing during a psychedelic session.
Post-experience integration – How breathwork can act as a non-verbal, somatically anchored bridge between the psychedelic journey and everyday life, often allowing insights to be embodied rather than merely intellectualised.
The Deeper Context of Breathwork in Integration
Much like psychedelics, breathwork is often absorbed into mainstream clinical frameworks that prioritise talk-based processing. However, if we examine the language:
Breathwork is not a singular practice but a broad category of techniques that induce altered states through controlled breathing patterns.
Integration comes from the Latin integrare, meaning to make whole, suggesting that integration is not a linear, talk-based process but an ongoing, often non-verbal experience.
From this perspective, breathwork itself can be integration, regardless of whether a psychedelic experience has taken place. A breathwork session years after a psychedelic journey—or even in the absence of one—can bring about visceral reconciliation of previously unconscious material. Similarly, it is possible to have a psychedelic-like experience through breathwork alone, raising questions about whether psychedelic states are strictly drug-induced or if they are latent within human physiology.
Discussion Topics
Current best practices in psychedelic integration – How breathwork is being used clinically and informally to deepen, accelerate, or stabilise integration.
Somatic vs cognitive integration models – The limitations of talk therapy when working with non-verbal, body-based insights.
Barriers to adoption – How dominant paradigms in psychiatry and psychotherapy may overlook or underutilise breathwork’s potential.
Scalability and accessibility – As psychedelic-assisted therapy expands, how can breathwork serve as a low-cost, scalable, and self-directed integration tool?
Timeframes and modalities – The relative merits of individual vs group breathwork integration, active vs passive approaches, and the role of breathwork in longer-term psychedelic processing.
Given the rapid increase in psychedelic use in clinical, underground, and informal settings, it is likely that breathwork will play an increasingly vital role in the broader conversation around psychedelic therapy—not just as an adjunct, but as a therapeutic modality in its own right.
About the Salon
This is an informal, invite-only gathering for like-minded clinicians exploring the intersection of neuroscience, therapy, and altered states of consciousness. We foster deep, candid discussions in a space that values intellectual rigour, humility, and curiosity.
Our goal is to create a supportive community where practitioners can challenge, consult, and collaborate—without pretence or dogma. Conversations often begin with psychedelics but evolve into broader, more enriching discussions.
This isn’t a clinical case conference, nor is it an esoteric free-for-all. We strike a balance between evidence-based practice and the ineffable, between rigorous thought and open-hearted exploration.
Event Details
📍 Location: West Perth office – 1121 Hay Street
🚗 Parking: Plenty of on-street parking available at this time
⏳ Time: 6 pm - 7.30 pm. Please aim to arrive on time. We have a hard stop at 7:30 PM, but late arrivals are welcome.
🥂 Food & Drinks: Feel free to bring a small plate or non-alcoholic drinks to share.
We want you to feel at home—because the best conversations happen when people feel safe, comfortable, and free to be themselves.
Invitation & Community
While invite-only, we welcome trusted attendees to vouch for new members who might bring a unique perspective. There’s no requirement to be a mental health professional—our discussions span diverse experiences, backgrounds, and skill sets. What matters is an ability to think independently and engage in nuanced, meaningful dialogue.
To stay in the loop, text 0493 081 616 to join our WhatsApp group, where we share meeting notes.
A Note on Responsible Discussion
We do not condone or support illicit or irresponsible substance use. Psychedelics may be a jumping-off point for discussion, but our focus is on thoughtful, professional, and personally enriching conversations.
Join us for an evening of insight, camaraderie, and shared responsibility in shaping the future of this space.
About Us
Niall Campbell is a psychotherapist specialising in clinical hypnosis and psychedelic integration therapy. He has worked with high-functioning adults and children with complex behavioural presentations, volunteered at Synthesis (a leading legal psychedelic retreat), and hosted The Mind Manifest podcast, interviewing international experts on consciousness and personal growth. He now focusses on executive and creative coaching, working with clients to support them to live their most rich, full and meaningful lives.
Hannah Courtauld is a clinical psychologist with experience as a chief triage psychologist at a major European psychedelic retreat. Trained in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, she integrates Jungian, somatic, and mindfulness approaches, focusing on deep emotional healing.