1 on 1 sessions are specially important as a basis for healing practice, because they allow the person who is seeking healing or insight to focus on his own experience, and the practitioner is better able to tailor the session to those needs. Nevertheless, a 1 on 1 session also places special limits on the practitioner. Ayahuasca can awaken painful or frightening memories, and the practitioner has to be able to guide any untoward reactions, without becoming the focus of the clients projections. The 'therapeutic' relationship is very strong during and after the session, and it requires a high level of integrity. This means that the purpose of the session, as well as the intentions of the practitioner, the specifics of his method, and so on, need to be discussed in detail before the session takes place. The way I think about the 'therapeutic relationship' is illustrated by the following excerpts:

Visions in the Night: Jungian and ancient dream interpretation,

Joel Covitz, Ch. 3 p. 45: The Wounded Healer:

…One is often struck by the problematic personal lives of psychotherapists and other counselors. Jokes are often told about the children of "shrinks," as if everyone expects the offspring of therapists to exhibit severe disorders. The truth is that so‑called normal people do not gravitate to the field of psychotherapy. The saying, "It takes one to know one," is the key to understanding this phenomenon‑and perhaps points to one of the personality traits of the successful dream interpreter. In Jungian psychology, the archetypal image of the "wounded healer", ­expressed in the myth of the centaur Chiron, for example‑reflects this notion that a healer is often one who has confronted and worked through his or her own suffering. In recognition of this fact, Freud required that people who want to become psychoanalysts should first, as part of their training, undergo a personal analysis. Such a training analysis can help in three ways: 1) the trainees will learn what it means and feels like to undergo psychoanalysis; 2) they can observe the manners and style of a seasoned analyst and experience the therapeutic value of self‑reflection in the presence of a professional who practices the art of healing by listening, talking and interpreting; and 3) personal analysis helps the trainees to work through some of their own neurotic entanglements that would hinder their capacity to function as healers. In order to withstand the daily barrage of influences coming from their pa­tients' neurotic or pathological states, psychotherapists need to be grounded in their own being, with a clear awareness of their own weaknesses and strengths. The greater a therapist's self‑awareness, the more likely it is that he or she will operate in a healing rather than a destructive manner. There is an interesting Chasidic tale entitled "His Only Failing":

1. An ailing man came to the Yud [a Chasidic rabbi] and asked him to pray for his health. The Yud told him to make the request of a man by the name of Shalom, in an adjacent town. There the only Shalom was a drunkard who lived on the outskirts of the town in a miserable hut. The man waited until he became sober, and then made his request. The drunkard asked for a gallon of brandy, and after receiving it, advised the man to bathe in a river, and he would be cured. This proved to be correct. When meeting the Yud later, the man asked the Rabbi why he had sent him to a drunkard. The Rabbi replied: "Shalom, my friend, has an exceedingly kind nature, and he oftentimes helps people when he is able to do so. His only fault is a love of strong drink, but this craving saves him from every other sin." 48
   

Although alcoholism is no doubt as undesirable in a therapist as in anyone else, this story does show that healers do not need to be perfect in order to heal successfully. What they do need is a high degree of self‑awareness and sensitivity to individual destiny. Healers have their own need to concern themselves with distressed individuals. Psychotherapists are attracted to psychopathology and to people with problems, which constitutes their life's work. For me, as a psychotherapist, "normal" peo­ple (if there are any) have no real fascination. I find them unexciting, predictable and often boring. But give me a neurotic and I am like a kid in a candy store: my analytic mind lights up with everything it has to offer, my problem‑solving fantasies are constellated, and I feel energized and ready to go to work. Psycho‑therapists, like other providers of services, are attracted to those who need the service they are offering. Therapists should never underestimate the fact that pa­tients provide them with both creative opportunities and their livelihood.

48 Louis I. Newman, The Hasidic Anthology, pp. 83f.

Procedure of the session:

A 1 on 1 session with ayahuasca starts when the practitioner and client meet. From this point on, everything that is discussed is part of the preparation for the session. In the introductory meeting, the client and practitioner can get to know each other. If the two decide to proceed this is usually because a foundation of mutual confidence has been established. In the course of an introduction, special agreements can be made as to the goals of the session and special requirements. Some clients may for instance prefer not to be touched during the session, while others may specifically request some form of physical comforting or massage. Yet others may object to certain types of music, or wish to be left alone as much as possible. For women, there may be a desire to have another woman present if the practitioner is a man.

The day of the session

On the day of the session, the client presents him/herself at the appointed hour. According to agreement the client will have held to the dietary proscription, and will have fasted for the day of the session. The client and practitioner discuss once more any issues that may have come up, and generally inquire as to expectations or the desired outcome of the session. Another topic that may be useful is that of any significant dreams the client may have had in the run up to his session.

Cleansing

The practitioner will indicate if some further cleansing is necessary, this being in the form of a change of clothes, a shower or hot bath with herbs, or simply some smudging with sage. The practitioner will have prepared the space in which the session will proceed, but he may request the client to help in the final tidying and arranging of the space. This is in order to reassure the client and to help him familiarize himself with the space, the location of the toilet and the general feel of the space. Generally speaking sessions that are held at a practitioners home cannot avoid some of the clutter of a household. However, the preparation of the space is intended especially to help the client feel at home, and the environment should be tranquil enough not to distract him/her too much during the session.

Opening

At the appointed time, the practitioner will speak a few words to welcome the client, will say something of his or her own hopes and expectations for the evening. Then the client is invited to speak a few words. After this the first helping of ayahuasca is served in silence. As a general rule, it is not good to comment on the taste of the ayahuasca. The practitioner will indicate how much the client must drink of the ayahuasca. Extra helpings are optional, however the first serving is not, because the practitioner must be able to determine how strong a dose he wishes to serve, according to the requirements of the individual client.

Generally speaking the practitioner will then lead the session by singing or playing music. (CD music is optional). Clients are encouraged to participate in singing and making music. This is an important aspect of the ayahuasca ceremony.

Closing

After the effects of the ayahuasca have subsided, what happens is entirely optional. Generally speaking the practitioner will allow the client time to collect himself. I personally like to use this time to move around, and make preparations for a meal. Some time later the practitioner will ask the client if he is ready to end the session. At this point some words may be spoken to symbolically terminate the session. Usually this will be followed by some drink, fruit juice or a cup of tea. After this there is time for a meal, and a brief exchange of impressions. The client has the option to stay the night, or prior to the session arrangements will have been made for his safe transportation home.

Follow-up

During the days and weeks following the session, client and practitioner may routinely stay in contact by e-mail, telephone etc. If there is a need for a follow-up to the session, a new appointment is made.