Insight to Action: The Role of Occupational Therapy in Psychedelic Integration
Gal Elkaiam, Heather Thomas, Brett Buford
Occupational Therapy in Mental Health June 3, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/0164212x.2026.2679671 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractOccupational therapy (OT) is largely absent from psychedelic integration practices, even though the goals of integration overlap with OT's focus. A review of the literature, practitioner interviews, and a survey indicate that OT's emphasis on performance patterns and functional outcomes can support measurable, sustainable, and goal-directed change after psychedelic experiences, suggesting OT is a critical but underutilized contributor to this mental health modality.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review with practitioner interviews and survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Occupational therapy Medline Psychological therapy Perspective graphical Psychotherapist |
| Key finding | Occupational therapy can support measurable, sustainable, and goal-directed change following psychedelic experiences, but is largely missing from current integration practices. |
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapy and integration are gaining renewed recognition as an effective mental health intervention. However, occupational therapy (OT) is largely missing from psychedelic integration practices despite clear overlap integration objectives. This project involved a comprehensive review of the literature, along with practitioner interviews and a survey to examine current integration practices and identify opportunities for OT involvement. Findings suggest that OT’s focus on performance patterns and functional outcomes indicate that the profession can support measurable, sustainable, and goal-directed change following psychedelic experiences, making OT a critical yet underutilized contributor to psychedelic integration and this evolving mental health modality.