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Amy Lehrner

5 papers in the library · 48 citations · publishing 2023-2026

Papers

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Balancing Innovation and Evidence: Reflections on Structured Protocols in MDMA-Assisted Therapy Versus a Principle-Guided, Patient-Directed Approach

Psychedelic Medicine March 10, 2026 Amy Lehrner, Miryam Sperka, Lauren Lepow et al. 1 citation

There is growing interest in incorporating MDMA (3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine) into structured, evidence-based cognitive-behavioral treatment protocols for post-traumatic stress disorder. Yet this risks overlooking the distinctive qualities of MDMA-assisted therapy, which has already demonstrated strong clinical effects, high response rates, and low dropout using a principle-guided,...

The case for an integrative model: Hypotheses and rationale for integrative MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy (IMAP)

Psychedelics January 8, 2026 Rachel Yehuda, Amy Lehrner, Miryam Sperka et al. 2 citations

The original MAPS manual for MDMA-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) opened a therapeutic frontier for PTSD. However, it drew critique for concepts—such as “inner healing intelligence” – that originated in transpersonal traditions rather than academic or empirically grounded clinical models. While many patients found the therapies helpful, these constructs were difficult to interpret and standardize....

Harnessing psychedelics for treating posttraumatic stress disorder: Does the science support all the hype?

Journal of Traumatic Stress May 7, 2025 Mark Creamer, Richard Bryant, Amy Lehrner et al. 1 citation

This paper is an edited transcript of a plenary panel held at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies (ISTSS) in Boston, Massachusetts, United States. The panel comprised Drs. Mark Creamer (moderator), Richard Bryant (convenor), Amy Lehrner, Barbara O. Rothbaum, Joseph I. Ruzek, and Paula P. Schnurr. Bringing together clinicians and researchers with a...

Shame, Guilt and Psychedelic Experience: Results from a Prospective, Longitudinal Survey of Real-World Psilocybin Use

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs February 7, 2025 Amy Lehrner, Heather Jackson, David S. Mathai et al. 11 citations

The classic psychedelic psilocybin has attracted special interest across clinical and non-clinical settings as a potential tool for mental health. Despite increasing attention to challenging psychedelic experiences, few studies have explored the relevance of shame-related processes with psychedelic use. This prospective, longitudinal study involved sequential, automated, web-based surveys that...

Psychedelic Therapy—A New Paradigm of Care for Mental Health

JAMA August 31, 2023 Rachel Yehuda, Amy Lehrner 33 citations

An increasing number of clinicians and researchers have become interested in the potential of psychedelic drugs for the treatment of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder, eating disorders, and addictions.1,2