[Solved] Psychedelic therapy with Elke van den Neucker

Elke van den Neucker stands out above all for her combination of a solid clinical foundation and in-depth, personal experience of altered states of consciousness. This is a combination that not every counsellor possesses.

A strong clinical and therapeutic foundation

Whilst many psychedelic facilitators work primarily within ceremonial or spiritual traditions, Elke brings a comprehensive academic and clinical background to her practice: a Master’s degree in Psychology (VUB), training as an integrative psychotherapist (AIHP) and a specialisation in counselling for existential wellbeing at KU Leuven. She worked for many years as a practising psychotherapist and as a lecturer and supervisor in clinical psychology at Thomas More University of Applied Sciences, which means that she not only provides therapy herself, but also trains and supervises others in this field. That level of clinical training is a key distinction from counsellors who work solely on the basis of experiential knowledge.

Specialised training in psychedelic care

In addition to her broad therapeutic training, she undertook specialist training in psychedelic guidance, including Zendo SIT (Sitting and Integration Training) (a recognised, specialised training programme for guiding psychedelic experiences). She also immersed herself in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and Compassionate Inquiry, two approaches widely used in trauma and integration work relating to psychedelic experiences, and undertook training with leading figures in the field such as Richard Schwartz and Gabor Maté.

Existential and meaning-centred approach

Perhaps her most distinctive feature is her existential approach. Rather than simply diagnosing and "resolving" symptoms, she focuses on the person behind them: exploring issues of loss, identity, freedom, connection and meaning. For clients who are not seeking a psychedelic session as a quick fix but as a deeper process of self-exploration, this philosophically grounded, non-pathologising approach can be far more valuable than a purely symptom-focused approach.

Focus on relationships and neurodiversity

Elke is one of the few facilitators who specialises in supporting couples, polycules and other relational pairs during psychedelic journeys, alongside individual sessions. She also explicitly mentions her affinity with neurodiversity and the LGBTQIA+ community, which may be relevant for clients who feel more at ease with a counsellor who shares that specific sensitivity.

Positive client experiences

Elke’s clients consistently describe the same core qualities: thorough, empathetic preparation; a balanced presence during the session (both reserved and deeply engaged as required); and a strong sense of security throughout the entire process. The fact that two separate clients, independently of one another, mention the same sense of connection and safety is a good indication of the consistent quality of her counselling style.

Find out more here reviews of Elke and her trip guidance

In short: if you’re looking for someone who takes a complaint-focused, protocol-based approach, then a therapist with training in, for example, EMDR or CBT (such as Sascha) might be a better match. If, on the other hand, you are looking for in-depth, existentially inspired counselling with a solid clinical foundation and scope for relational work, then Elke is an excellent choice.

Read more at Each hair’s Triptherapie profile or Book a private psychedelic session with Elke