FAQ: Working With Michael Tierno

WHO DO YOU WORK WITH?

I work with people across two dimensions. The first is relieving suffering, PTSD, childhood trauma, depression, anxiety, addiction, and other psychological patterns that diminish quality of life, whether clinically diagnosed or not. The second dimension is for people who, by most outward measures, are doing fine, but sense that something essential is missing. That missing something is usually a felt connection to one's own inner life, spirit, and authentic self. These two dimensions often overlap.

IS THIS RIGHT FOR ME IF I'VE NEVER DONE THIS BEFORE?

Most clients come to this work with no prior experience in expanded states. You don't need a background in meditation, therapy, or psychedelics. What matters most is genuine curiosity and a real desire to look at yourself honestly. A free 20-minute consultation is always the best first step to find out if we're a good fit.

WHAT ARE EXPANDED STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS?

Expanded states are states in which your awareness of yourself and reality becomes significantly broader and deeper than in ordinary daily life. There are many ways to access them: guided meditation, shamanic drumming, breathwork, chanting, fasting, hypnosis, and entheogenic medicines. Each person's experience is unique, and no two journeys are the same.

WHAT DOES A SESSION ACTUALLY LOOK LIKE?

Every session begins with intention-setting and a ceremony to create a sacred, focused container. We begin with a detailed questionnaire and pre-session conversations that surface what most needs attention. During the journey itself, I am present with you throughout, monitoring your comfort, offering guidance, and holding a safe space so you can go as deep as you need to go. Afterward, I provide a written summary of the session with specific insights and action steps tailored to what arose for you.

"It's also a huge plus that he provides a transcript of the journey — something the other healers I spoke with did not offer." — Female in Her 30s

HOW IS WORKING WITH A GUIDE DIFFERENT FROM JOURNEYING ALONE?

The difference is significant. A guide creates the container, the safety, the structure, the ceremony that allows you to let go fully. Without that container, many people report that even after multiple experiences on their own, they couldn't fully surrender.

"After two years and eight medicine guides, I felt I still couldn't fully surrender. Being around Michael is like being with a Gentle Giant — feeling protected, cared for, understood, supported, and loved. Michael provided an environment that made me want to just let it all go." — Female in Her 30s

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF WORKING IN EXPANDED STATES?

Think of your mind like a computer. Many processes are running constantly, thoughts, feelings, memories, beliefs, reactions, but your conscious awareness only sees what's on the screen. Expanded states work like a system-level diagnostic: they surface what's been running invisibly in the background. When these hidden patterns come into the light, you can actually work with them, update them, and choose differently.

The results clients describe include: relief from long-held trauma, freedom from anxiety and depression, breakthrough clarity about life direction, deeper self-acceptance, improved relationships, and a felt sense of reconnection to meaning and purpose.

IS IT SAFE?

Safety is the foundation of everything I do. Every session begins with a careful intake process to understand your history, health, and intentions. Throughout our work together, your comfort and well-being are the top priority. Many clients describe the sense of safety Michael creates as one of the most important parts of the experience.

"I felt completely safe with him as my guide. Michael has a very calm and reassuring presence." — Female in Her 40s

DO I NEED TO HAVE A SPIRITUAL BACKGROUND?

No. Clients come from all backgrounds, skeptics, seekers, people of faith, and people with none. What matters is an open mind and a genuine willingness to look inward. Many clients describe themselves as going in "not really knowing what to expect" and being surprised by what they found.

HOW MANY SESSIONS DOES IT TAKE?

This varies widely by person and by intention. Some clients experience profound, lasting shifts after a single session. Others find that ongoing work, across multiple journeys and integration sessions, allows them to go progressively deeper. We'll discuss what makes sense for your situation in the initial conversation.

"I have had the fortune to interact with Michael in a much deeper way over 5 years. He has shown me what it means to be fully exposed and vulnerable. He has helped me see the doors of opportunity that connect me to myself." — Male in His 30s

CAN YOU HEAL ME?

No, and I want to be honest about that. Western medicine has trained us to look outside ourselves for healing, but that's not how healing actually works. When you go to the emergency room for a broken bone, the doctors create the conditions, but it's your bones that knit themselves back together. The same is true here. I can create the space, the safety, and the container for your healing. The power and the healing are yours.

HOW DO I GET STARTED?

The first step is a free 20-minute conversation. There's no obligation; it's simply a chance to talk, ask questions, and see if this feels like the right fit.