Leveraging family and caregiver support in psychedelic-assisted therapy: considerations for the treatment of adolescents.
Sarah Forsberg, Amanda E. Downey, Lindsey D Bruett, Lisa Hail, Gisele Fernandes-Osterhold, Josh Woolley, Adele Lafrance, Marissa Raymond-Flesch
Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health June 4, 2025 DOI: 10.1186/s13034-025-00930-4 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Adolescence Psychedelics Adolescent mental health Family support systems Integrative psychiatry Therapeutic relationships |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | Current literature provides a compelling case for directly involving caregivers in psychedelic-assisted therapy for adolescents, with the family system serving as a critical setting that may shape treatment efficacy. |
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is gaining recognition as a promising intervention for treatment-refractory mental health conditions in adults. While interest in its applications for adolescents is growing, critical gaps remain in understanding safe and effective delivery of PAT to this vulnerable population, including implications for caregiver/family (used interchangeably) involvement in the intervention. Caregivers play a crucial role in adolescent mental health treatment by supporting recovery and disrupting illness-maintaining patterns. They also benefit from resources to navigate the challenges of caregiving. This review synthesizes existing literature on evidence-based adolescent mental health treatments, best practices in PAT delivery, and family systems theory to propose a framework for integrating caregivers in adolescent PAT. Current literature in both PAT and adolescent mental health provides a compelling case for the direct involvement of caregivers in PAT for adolescent populations. In modern PAT, therapeutic setting (i.e., "set and setting") is increasingly recognized as essential for optimizing outcomes. Similarly, the family system serves as a critical setting that may shape PAT efficacy in adolescents. This review provides recommendations and unique considerations for the incorporation of caregivers into PAT protocols for adolescents to maximize safety and efficacy of the intervention.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- Toward a framework for psychedelic clinical trials in adolescents Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health March 10, 2026
- Classic Psychedelics for Chronic Pain: A Critical Review of the Literature and Practical Advice for Clinicians. Drugs June 4, 2026
- Adolescents’ and Young Adults’ Integration Processes for Extended Difficulties Following Challenging Psychedelic Experiences: A Qualitative Investigation Research Square May 14, 2026
- Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Adolescent Anorexia Nervosa: Clinical Considerations and Emerging Models of Care. Current Psychiatry Reports May 14, 2026
- Lived experience as systems-relevant evidence in psychedelic public health Frontiers in Public Health September 15, 2026
Cites 25
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- MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study. Nature Medicine June 1, 2021
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and 20 more in the library