Psychedelic assisted psychotherapy: What therapists should know

Psychedelics were first discovered by indigenous people from resources in nature such as plants, mushrooms, and trees. They were used primarily for spiritual purposes. The twentieth century saw the development of synthetic psychedelics such as LSD and other substances with mind-altering effects such as ketamine and MDMA.

The premise of psychedelic psychotherapies is that in the temporary altered state of consciousness allows dramatic shifts in perspectives, which can be further enhanced by therapy and lifestyle changes Usually, a limited number of sessions are used. For mental wellbeing psychedelics are not meant to be used daily and always in conjunction with psychotherapy.

This course will provide an overview of the development, evidence, appropriate use and the future of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies. It will cover the different types of medications, clinical uses, relevant psychopharmacology and therapy models. It will also highlight the contraindications, required guardrails, and advice against inappropriate use. The resources for further development of therapists will also be discussed.

Learning objectives:

Evidence for Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy.
Current and evolving models of psychedelic assisted psychotherapy.
Types and mechanisms of psychedelic actions
Contraindications and safety issues with the use of psychedelics.