Restorative Retelling for Processing Psychedelic Experiences: Rationale and Case Study of Complicated Grief
Débora González, Marc Aixalà, Robert A Neimeyer, Jordi Cantillo, Donald Nicolson, Magı́ Farré
Frontiers in Psychology May 3, 2022 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2022.832879 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A woman suffering from Complicated Grief after her mother's suicide |
| Interventions | Ayahuasca Restorative Retelling |
| Topics | Ayahuasca |
| Keywords | Grief Autobiographical memory Psychotherapist Psychopathology Meaning existential Content measure theory Cognitive psychology Clinical psychology Recall |
| Citations | 15 |
| Key findings | Ayahuasca combined with Restorative Retelling reduced symptoms of complicated grief and psychopathology in a single case. |
Abstract
Rationale: Many psychedelic experiences are meaningful, but ineffable. Engaging in meaning-making regarding emerging symbolic content and changing previous schemas have been proposed as mechanisms of change in psychedelic therapy.
Objective: Firstly, we suggest the implementation of a Restorative Retelling (RR) technique to process and integrate the psychedelic experience into autobiographical memory, in a way that fosters meaning-making. We also show how ayahuasca has the potential to evoke key psychological content in survivors, during the process of grief adjustment following the death of a loved one.
Methods: The rationale for the implementation of RR to process psychedelic experiences and a case study of a woman suffering from Complicated Grief (CG) after her mother’s suicide are presented.
Results: Evaluations conducted before the ayahuasca experience and after RR suggest the effectiveness of ayahuasca and RR in reducing symptoms of CG and psychopathology.
Conclusion: This case report illustrates an effective adaptation of the RR technique for processing the psychedelic experience. The significance of the study and its limitations are discussed.