Psychedelic assisted psychotherapy: What therapists should know

Gain essential knowledge to safely and effectively integrate psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy into clinical practice.

Psychedelics were first discovered by indigenous people from resources in nature such as plants, mushrooms, and trees. They primarily used them 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.

Psychedelic psychotherapies work on the premise that a temporary altered state of consciousness allows dramatic shifts in perspective. Therapy and lifestyle changes can further enhance these shifts. Clinicians typically use a limited number of sessions. For mental wellbeing, individuals should not use psychedelics daily and must always pair them with psychotherapy.

This training, led by Dr. Sanjay Rao, 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. 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.

Expand your clinical toolkit and stay ahead of emerging therapies. Register now to explore the safe, evidence-informed use of psychedelics in psychotherapy with Dr. Rao.