"Honoring Beautiful Connections": LGBTQA+ Perspectives on Providing Safe and Inclusive Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy.
Riccardo Miceli Mcmillan, James A Fowler, Tamara C. Erbacher, Renee Ireland, Samantha J. Brown, Annette Brömdal, Grace Y. Wang, Amy B. Mullens
Journal of Homosexuality July 8, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/00918369.2025.2526046 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 43 |
| Population | LGBTQA+ individuals aged 18+ who had used a classic psychedelic at least once in a non-microdose manner |
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Lgbtqia+ Psychedelics Acceptability Affirming care Intervention design Gender-affirming psychedelic treatment Equitable psychedelic treatment Participant insights Experiential data collection Survey methodology Person-centered psychedelic design Client-centered psychedelic therapy |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key findings | LGBTQA+ individuals consider it important for healthcare providers to reflect on their biases, learn LGBTQA+ language, adopt a flexible client-led approach to identity exploration, and thoughtfully modulate their presence during psychedelic experiences. |
Abstract
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (PAT) is a rapidly growing therapeutic approach that to date has rarely considered the nuanced needs of LGBTQA+ individuals. This study explores what LGBTQA+ individuals consider important for healthcare providers (HCPs) to consider when providing PAT. A global sample of LGBTQA+ individuals aged 18+ who had experience using a classic psychedelic compound at least once in a non-microdose manner were recruited into an online survey. Of 130 responses, 43 provided qualitative data relevant for the present study. Data were analyzed using an inductive reflexive thematic approach and three themes were developed. Theme 1 "Reflect on Your Biases and Learn the Language" described how HCPs should learn about LGBTQA+ issues to build trust and ensure safety during preparation sessions. Theme 2 "Identity and the Return from Universal Consciousness" described how HCPs should adopt a flexible, client-led approach when supporting identity exploration. Theme 3 "The Art of Being-There"described how HCPs should thoughtfully modulate their presence during clients' psychedelic experiences. These findings offer nuanced insights into enhancing the development of PAT protocols tailored for clients from LGBTQA+ communities, underscoring the need for care that acknowledges the variety of experiences and needs of LGBTQA+ individuals.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on 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 |
| LSD-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety associated with a life-threatening disease: A qualitative study of acute and sustained subjective effects Patients with anxiety associated with life-threatening diseases | 2014 | Prospective follow-up with qualitative content analysis | n = 10 |
| 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 |
| The hidden therapist: evidence for a central role of music in psychedelic therapy Patients undergoing psychedelic therapy with psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression | 2018 | Qualitative study | n = 19 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Altered states, authentic selves: Trans individual’s experiences with psychedelics and their implications for Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy International Journal of Transgender Health June 8, 2026
- LGBTQ+ Ayahuasca Retreat Experience is Associated with Benefits to Mental Health, Quality of Life, and Spiritual Well-Being: A Prospective, Naturalistic Study. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 13, 2026
Cites 21
- The Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Drugs: Past, Present, and Future. Neuropsychopharmacology April 26, 2017
- Global Street Food: la cocina de la calle Diseño interior 2009
- The Subjective Effects of Psychedelics Are Necessary for Their Enduring Therapeutic Effects. ACS Pharmacology & Translational Science December 10, 2020
- Constructing drug effects: A history of set and setting Drug Science, Policy and Law 2017
- Predicting Responses to Psychedelics: A Prospective Study Frontiers in Pharmacology November 2, 2018
and 16 more in the library