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The Psychological Support Model in Psilocybin Research: Psychotherapy in Disguise?

Celia Faye Jacobsen, Dea Siggaard Stenbæk, Stig Poulsen, Sophia Armand

Psychiatric Research and Clinical Practice January 14, 2026 DOI: 10.1176/appi.prcp.20250113 (opens in new tab)

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AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Commentary Peer reviewed
Topics Meditation Psilocybin
Keywords Psychoeducation Psychological intervention Interpersonal communication Dyad Psychotherapist
Citations 3
Key points The text distinguishes between psilocybin dosing combined with bona fide psychotherapy versus "psychological support," noting that the Compass Psychological Support Model has been described by Kirlić and colleagues as "not an evidence-based treatment for depression." The authors, psychologists, argue that distinct understandings of psychotherapy shape this debate.

Abstract

A key distinction among clinical trials on psilocybin treatments, for example, those targeting depression, has been whether the psilocybin dosing session is combined with bona fide psychotherapy or with what is referred to as “psychological support” (1-3). The most developed model of psychological support is the Compass Psychological Support Model (CPSM; 1). Kirlić and colleagues specifically describe the CPSM as “not an evidence-based treatment for depression” (1, p. 127). In our work as psychologists, we apply distinct understandings of psychotherapy.

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