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Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Education at GSPP: Assessing PsyD Student and Alumni Interest, Attitudes, and Perceived Training Needs

Devon Seelig

July 16, 2026 DOI: 10.56902/etdcrp.2026.20 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Exploratory survey
Population Current students and alumni of the Graduate School of Professional Psychology’s PsyD program at the University of Denver
Topics Psychedelic-assisted therapy
Keywords Coursework Accreditation Training meteorology Professional development Higher education Exploratory research Graduate students Occupational training Medical education
Key findings Substantial interest in greater exposure to PAP-related education exists among students and alumni, alongside a perceived gap between the expansion of psychedelic medicine and current formal training.

Abstract

Interest in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) is expanding rapidly within research, policy reform, and clinical application. Despite this rapid growth, formal training in PAP within accredited doctoral psychology programs is limited to nonexistent. This doctoral project aimed to assess interest in and attitudes toward PAP-related education among current students and alumni of the Graduate School of Professional Psychology’s PsyD program at the University of Denver. An exploratory survey was created to assess interest, likelihood of engagement, perceived benefits and concerns regarding coursework or training opportunities. Findings revealed substantial interest in greater exposure to PAP-related education, in addition to thoughtful concerns. Results highlighted a perceived gap between the expansion of psychedelic medicine and the current level of formal training available within GSPP. Although this project does not advocate specific or immediate curricular changes, it provides program-specific data to inform internal discussions on potential future training directions. These findings may contribute to broader conversations about graduate-level competency development in PAP.

Comparable studies

Other cross-sectional and survey studies on psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Psychological flexibility mediates the relations between acute psychedelic effects and subjective decreases in depression and anxiety. International sample of people who reported having used a psychedelic 2020 Cross-sectional survey n = 985
Psychedelic Treatment for Trauma-Related Psychological and Cognitive Impairment Among US Special Operations Forces Veterans U.S. Special Operations Forces Veterans who completed a psychedelic clinical program in... 2020 Survey n = 51
Population Survey Data Informing the Therapeutic Potential of Classic and Novel Phenethylamine, Tryptamine, and Lysergamide Psychedelics Respondents from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, 2008–2017, weighted to... 2020 Cross-sectional survey n = 260,964,827
Examination of the Phenomenology of the Ibogaine Treatment Experience: Role of Altered States of Consciousness and Psychedelic Experiences. Individuals who used ibogaine in the past 2017 Retrospective survey n = 27
American Psychiatrists' Opinions About Classic Hallucinogens and Their Potential Therapeutic Applications: A 7-Year Follow-Up Survey. American Psychiatric Association members (resident-fellows and attending psychiatrists) 2024 Survey n = 131

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