EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy for Depression
March 6, 2024 DOI: 10.1093/9780197762622.001.0001 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Randomized |
|---|---|
| Intervention | EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy |
| Topics | Depression Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key points | Proposes the EMBARK model as a comprehensive, ethical, and inclusive therapeutic framework for psychedelic-assisted therapy that addresses shortcomings in prior models. |
Abstract
Abstract EMBARK Psychedelic Therapy for Depression: A New Approach for the Whole Person is a comprehensive guidebook for clinicians that presents a novel therapeutic framework for administering psychedelic medicines. The EMBARK model was developed in response to the growing interest in psychedelic medicines for treating mental health disorders, particularly depression, and the identified gaps in existing models of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT). The conventional history of PAT research has been criticized for missing critical histories of harm and the stories of marginalized groups, highlighting the need for a comprehensive, ethical, and inclusive framework. Previous PAT models have been found to lack attentiveness to the body, focus on the therapist-participant relationship, counseling for spiritual experiences, and ethical considerations. They also suffered from underdeveloped therapeutic frames and a reliance on single evidence-based, non-psychedelic PAT approaches. The EMBARK model addresses these shortcomings by offering a transdiagnostic and trans-drug approach adaptable to various indications and psychedelic medicines. It is built upon four Cornerstones of Care: Trauma-Informed Care, Culturally Competent Care, Ethically Rigorous Care, and Collective Care, reflecting a foundational belief that efficacious treatment is ethical treatment. The EMBARK acronym points to six Clinical Domains that commonly emerge in psychedelic experiences: Existential-Spiritual, Mindfulness, Body Aware, Affective-Cognitive, Relational, and Keeping Momentum. For the treatment of depression, twelve mechanisms of therapeutic change are outlined. It also provides a comprehensive guide to the clinical considerations and treatment factors, including therapist credentials, skills, therapeutic presence, personal growth, experiential training, and personal commitment to receiving supervision, peer consultation, and support as a provider. The EMBARK approach incorporates evidence-based treatment techniques and points to an emerging evidence-base for the approach from ongoing randomized controlled trials (RCTs). EMBARK psychedelic therapy is intended to be open-sourced to the clinical community for development and adaptation to other psychedelic medicines (e.g., DMT, LSD, MDMA, ketamine) other contexts (e.g. group therapy, conjoint/couples therapy), diverse populations (e.g., LGBTQIA+ participants) and to inform the development of psychedelic practitioner trainings.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theorizing that Psychedelic Assisted Therapy May Play a Role in the Treatment of Trauma-Induced Personality Disorders. | 2024 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Learning to Let Go: A Cognitive-Behavioral Model of How Psychedelic Therapy Promotes Acceptance | 2020 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Awe: a putative mechanism underlying the effects of classic psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy | 2018 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Ethical and legal issues in psychedelic harm reduction and integration therapy | 2021 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Towards psychedelic apprenticeship: Developing a gentle touch for the mediation and validation of psychedelic-induced insights and revelations. | 2022 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 5
- Psilocybin Therapy for Clinicians With Symptoms of Depression From Frontline Care During the COVID-19 Pandemic JAMA Network Open December 5, 2024
- Ketamine Integration Chaplaincy: A Novel Spiritual Care Approach to Psychedelic Integration Anthropology of Consciousness September 1, 2025
- Cultural Humility and Psychedelics: A Framework Analysis of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Manuals and Practice Guidelines Research Square February 13, 2025
- Increasing the Evaluation and Reporting Rigor of Psychotherapy Interventions in Treatments Involving Psychedelics Psychoactives June 29, 2025
- Psychedelic training program development: lessons from the evolution of the EMBARK program. Frontiers in Psychology 2025
Cites 216
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study. The Lancet Psychiatry May 17, 2016
- Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression New England Journal of Medicine April 14, 2021
and 211 more in the library