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Vivian W. L. Tsang

11 papers in the library · 34 citations · publishing 2023-2026

Papers

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Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis of predictors of treatment effects.

Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics June 19, 2026 Judith Rohde, Tyler M Moore, Kathryn Walker et al.

Ketamine combined with psychotherapy has shown promise in treating posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but predictors of clinical benefit remain unclear. In this systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis (IPDMA), we examined patient- and treatment-level predictors of PTSD symptom change after combined treatment. Eligible studies combined ketamine with psychotherapy in...

Ritual in Psychedelic Therapy: A Principle-Based Framework

Human Arenas April 25, 2026 Shannon Dames, Grace Scharf, Vivian W. L. Tsang et al.

Ritual is a cultural-psychological technology that facilitates transitions by establishing safety, trust, and shared meaning. In psychedelic therapy, ritual remains underdeveloped despite the heightened vulnerability and suggestibility inherent in non-ordinary states. Without clear frameworks, ritual applications can become prescriptive or ethically problematic—particularly when elements are...

Improving access to psilocybin-assisted therapy: barriers, challenges, and recommendations

Frontiers in Public Health January 29, 2026 Vivian W. L. Tsang, Camille Roney, Pamela Kryskow et al.

Psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) is an emerging intervention that combines the administration of psilocybin with structured psychological support to address profound psychological, emotional, and existential distress. Central to this model is the recognition that many forms of suffering-particularly at end of life-are relational in nature and require relational forms of healing. It is our...

Exploring patterns of concurrent substance use, psychedelic dosing and intentions, and childhood trauma in psychedelic use in college aged adults

Psychedelics January 18, 2026 Vivian W. L. Tsang, Tanner Jones, Sally Tsoi et al.

As psychedelic use grows in popularity, it is important to understand usage patterns and clinical outcomes associated with their consumption. This study explored patterns of psychedelic use among college-aged individuals, focusing on dosing behaviors, usage intentions, and the impact of childhood trauma. Using a self-administered online survey, participants reported on their demographics,...

The effect of the Apollo Neuro device on anxiety among participants who underwent ketamine assisted therapy.

Journal of Psychiatric Research November 1, 2025 Vivian W. L. Tsang, Brendan Tao, Raimey Olthuis et al.

The Apollo wearable device (wrist or ankle) is an investigational device which provides touch therapy with silent vibrations that may help individuals reduce the symptoms of stress such as difficulty breathing, sleeping or focusing on tasks. Positive feedback from a mental health treatment program that uses ketamine-assisted therapy as a treatment adjunct inspired researchers to assess the...

Ketamine-Assisted Therapy Outcomes for First Responders With Comorbid Mental Health Diagnoses

Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine October 17, 2025 Vivian W. L. Tsang, Megan Kennedy, Tarun Walia et al. 1 citation

OBJECTIVE: Many first responders deal with mental health challenges due to significant work-related stress. Ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT) has been shown to alleviate the symptoms and improve the lives of those living with PTSD. This qualitative case study explores the impacts of KAT on the firefighters beyond the initial alleviation of their PTSD symptoms. METHODS: Six firefighters who were...

A clinical protocol for group-based ketamine-assisted therapy in a community of practice: the Roots To Thrive model

Frontiers in Psychiatry September 22, 2025 Shannon Dames, Pamela Kryskow, Vivian W. L. Tsang et al. 3 citations

RTT-KaT offers a structured, scalable, evidence-informed, and culturally responsive model that bridges clinical safety with both Western and Indigenous knowledge systems. A longitudinal follow-up study is currently underway to evaluate long-term impact and guide future implementations.

“The mushroom was more alive and vibrant”: Patient reports of synthetic versus organic forms of psilocybin

Journal of Psychedelic Studies October 29, 2024 Pamela Kryskow, Paul Stamets, Joseph T. la Torre et al. 4 citations

Abstract Interest in psychedelic research in the West is surging, however, clinical trials have almost exclusively studied synthetic compounds such as MDMA, ketamine, DMT, LSD, ibogaine, and psilocybin. To date, few clinical trials have utilized whole mushroom/plant material like Psilocybe mushrooms, Iboga, or Ayahuasca. Individuals participating in the Roots To Thrive Psilocybin-Assisted...

Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Training: An Argument in Support of Firsthand Experience of Nonordinary States of Consciousness in the Development of Competence.

Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle) September 4, 2024 Shannon Dames, Crosbie Watler, Pamela Kryskow et al. 4 citations

Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Training: An Argument in Support of Firsthand Experience of Nonordinary States of Consciousness in the Development of Competence.

A systematic review to assess the use of psilocybin in the treatment of headaches

European Psychiatry March 1, 2023 Saundarai Bhanot, Michelle Cq Lin, S. Bains et al. 3 citations

Introduction Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound whose effects have been seen in studies for treatment of depression, anxiety and pain management. Given its structural similarities to 5-hydroxytryptamine, a monoamine controlling brain modulation of pain input, preliminary studies sought to test serotonergic interactions of psilocybin with headaches. Objectives Explore...

Safety and tolerability of intramuscular and sublingual ketamine for psychiatric treatment in the Roots To Thrive ketamine-assisted therapy program: a retrospective chart review.

Therapeutic Advances in Psychopharmacology 2023 Vivian W. L. Tsang, Brendan Tao, Shannon Dames et al. 19 citations

In the last few years, ketamine is becoming increasingly common in the treatment of mental health conditions, but there is a lack of safety data informing intramuscular and sublingual dosing in a community-focused group psychotherapy setting. The Roots To Thrive ketamine-assisted therapy (RTT-KaT) program is a unique 12-week RTT-KaT program with 12 community of practice (a form of group...