Coaching and psychedelics: a beneficial partnership?

Abstract

A burgeoning evidence base demonstrates the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. Grounded in a review of existing literature and drawing on assumptions from coaching psychology and positive psychology, this paper argues that psychedelic experiences, beyond their potential to treat disease and disorder, hold promising potential to foster growth, learning, and wellbeing for non-clinical populations, and that coaching can offer effective, safe, and ethical support. Through identifying positive psychological themes in research and highlighting shared motivations to seek coaching and psychedelics, this paper builds the case for psychedelics-assisted coaching, offers a framework for practice, and discusses ethical concerns and future research.