A therapist is a licensed mental-health professional trained to work with clinical issues. An integration coach is usually a non-clinical practitioner focused specifically on making sense of psychedelic experience. Ideally, most people benefit from both.

Look for facilitator-led circles (not just peer meetups) that meet regularly and have clear agreements. The Ayahuasca Integration Alliance runs several free online circles you can start with while you find something local.

Look for someone with real experience — either personal, professional training (MAPS, Fluence, Polaris, Synthesis), or years of holding integration circles. On the intake call ask: "Have you sat with people after ayahuasca specifically?" and "What's your view on the medicine?" A good practitioner won't moralize either direction. The Alliance's Professional Directory is a curated starting point of facilitators and therapists who have been vetted by peers.