Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy Among Patients with Advanced Cancer and Depression: Rationale and Preliminary Evaluation of MCP-PSIL.
William E Rosa, Stephanie Napolitano, Natalie Mcandrew, Betsy Jenkins, Wendy G Lichtenthal, Allison J Applebaum, William Breitbart, Manish Agrawal
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.) June 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1177/28314425251363983 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Open-label Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 13 |
| Population | Patients with cancer and major depressive disorder who received psilocybin-assisted therapy and group meaning-centered psychotherapy, plus their therapists |
| Interventions | Meaning-centered psychotherapy Psilocybin-assisted therapy |
| Topics | Depression Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Cancer Group therapy Meaning-centered psychotherapy |
| Key findings | Meaning-centered psychotherapy is a natural therapeutic partner to guide patients throughout the psilocybin-assisted therapy continuum, and a 5-session MCP-PSIL model was developed based on participant feedback. |
Abstract
Psilocybin shows encouraging outcomes for patients with cancer and major depressive disorder (MDD). However, there is insufficient evidence on the use of evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions to consistently guide and standardize psilocybin preparation, dosing, and integration. Meaning-centered psychotherapy (MCP) is a manualized, brief psychotherapeutic intervention that enhances meaning and purpose among recipients. This article substantiates the rationale for using MCP as a psychotherapeutic intervention to accompany psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) with psilocybin for patients with cancer and MDD. We sampled seven patients with cancer and MDD who previously received PAT with psilocybin followed by group MCP in a phase 2 open-label trial, as well as six therapists who delivered the interventions. First, electronic open-ended response surveys were distributed to explore participant experiences during the phase 2 trial and elicit recommendations to adapt MCP for psilocybin. Second, the research team developed a 5-session model of MCP and psilocybin therapy (MCP-PSIL) based on survey responses. Finally, four focus groups were conducted (two with patients and two with therapists) to expand on patient experiences during the phase 2 trial and gather feedback on MCP-PSIL. Seven patients (ages 53-80 years) and six therapists (mental health professional experience ranging 9-44 years) participated in both surveys and focus groups. Focus groups underscored the value of experiences related to psilocybin, the group, and MCP, as distinct elements and in conjunction. Participants shared key recommendations to enhance combined psilocybin and MCP experiences and the 5-session MCP-PSIL model. The importance of the group format was also emphasized while noting that individual MCP may be indicated in certain circumstances. Findings suggest that MCP is a natural therapeutic partner to guide patients throughout the PAT continuum. As MCP-PSIL is tested in the future, we anticipate MCP will leverage the PAT experience by building therapist capacity to optimize care while reducing avoidable distress for patients and maximizing their meaning-making opportunities.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
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Meaning-centered psychotherapy was seen as a natural therapeutic partner across the psilocybin-assisted therapy continuum, and a 5-session MCP-PSIL model was developed from participant feedback.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on psilocybin and psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patients’ Accounts of Increased “Connectedness” and “Acceptance” After Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression Patients with treatment-resistant depression enrolled in an open-label trial of psilocybin | 2017 | Qualitative study | n = 20 |
| Patient Experiences of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Adults aged 22 to 69 with clinically elevated anxiety associated with a cancer diagnosis | 2017 | Qualitative study | n = 13 |
| Psychedelic therapy for smoking cessation: Qualitative analysis of participant accounts Participants who completed a psilocybin-facilitated smoking cessation pilot study | 2018 | Qualitative follow-up study using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis | n = 12 |
| Cancer at the Dinner Table: Experiences of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Cancer-Related Distress Adult participants with clinically elevated anxiety associated with a cancer diagnosis | 2017 | Qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis | n = 13 |
| Reports of self-compassion and affect regulation in psilocybin-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder: An interpretive phenomenological analysis. non-Hispanic White cisgender men and women with alcohol use disorder | 2023 | Qualitative study | n = 13 |