Mapping Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Facilitator Education and Training Programs Internationally: A Scoping Review
Juliana Mendes Rocha, Elisabeth Tove Irving, Evan Forth, Julie M Deleemans, Christopher P. Albertyn, Linda E. Carlson, Chantal Nicole Paris Savard
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Scoping review protocol |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Key findings | The protocol proposes that a scoping review is needed to systematically map the literature on psychedelic-assisted therapy training and education for facilitators, citing concerns about variability, empirical grounding, and standardization of existing training pathways. It aims to inform the development of training methodologies for future facilitators across local, national, and international contexts. |
Abstract
Introduction: Psychedelic assisted therapy has gained increasing clinical and research attention in the last decade due to its demonstrated therapeutic potential across a variety of complex and treatment-resistant psychiatric and psychosocial conditions. As interest grows, so has the development of facilitator education and training programs. Despite this proliferation, concerns remain regarding the variability, empirical grounding, and standardization of existing training pathways.
Methods: This scoping review will be conducted to systematically map the current literature available on psychedelic assisted therapy training and education for facilitators. Databases including PubMed, Scopus, MEDLINE, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and CINAHL will be searched using keyword searches and MeSH terms for relevant publications. This review will include any studies published between January 2015 and March 2026 that have reported on the specific psychedelic assisted therapy training and education that facilitators have received; but will exclude any publications referencing studies involving participants under the age of 18. Abstract and full-text screening will be conducted by members of the review team, with each record being independently screened by two reviewers. Disagreements will be resolved through discussion or consultation with a third reviewer. Ethics and dissemination This scoping review synthesizes knowledge from published and publicly available literature to generate new knowledge. Thus, ethics approval is unnecessary to conduct this research. The results will be disseminated by the authors and members of the Canadian Network for Psychedelic Assisted Cancer Therapy using various modalities and will be aimed at facilitating the development of training methodologies for future facilitators of psychedelic assisted therapy across local, national, and international contexts.