Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration: A Transtheoretical Model for Clinical Practice
Ingmar Gorman, Ingmar Gorman, Ingmar Gorman, Ingmar Gorman, Elizabeth M. Nielson, Elizabeth M. Nielson, Elizabeth M. Nielson, Aja Molinar, Ksenia Cassidy, Ksenia Cassidy, Jonathan Sabbagh, Jonathan Sabbagh
Frontiers in Psychology March 15, 2021 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.645246 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Psychedelics Harm reduction Psychotherapy Psychedelic support Psychedelic treatment Psychedelic guidance Psychedelic care model Compassionate care model Non-abstinence approach Safe substance exploration Clinical guidance Patient preparation Post-session integration Mental health support |
| Key points | Proposes that PHRI provides a transtheoretical and transdiagnostic framework for clinicians to address the unique motivations, experiences, and needs of people who use psychedelics, moving beyond abstinence-based paradigms. |
Abstract
Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration (PHRI) is a transtheoretical and transdiagnostic clinical approach to working with patients who are using or considering using psychedelics in any context. The ongoing discussion of psychedelics in academic research and mainstream media, coupled with recent law enforcement deprioritization of psychedelics and compassionate use approvals for psychedelic-assisted therapy, make this model exceedingly timely. Given the prevalence of psychedelic use, the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, and the unique cultural and historical context in which psychedelics are placed, it is important that mental health providers have an understanding of the unique motivations, experiences, and needs of people who use them. PHRI incorporates elements of harm reduction psychotherapy and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, and can be applied in both brief and ongoing psychotherapy interactions. PHRI represents a shift away from assessment limited to untoward outcomes of psychedelic use and abstinence-based addiction treatment paradigms and toward a stance of compassionate, destigmatizing acceptance of patients' choices. Considerations for assessment, preparation, and working with difficult experiences are presented.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on psilocybin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics | 2019 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Psychedelics as Medicines: An Emerging New Paradigm General population | 2016 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Theorizing that Psychedelic Assisted Therapy May Play a Role in the Treatment of Trauma-Induced Personality Disorders. | 2024 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| What Geometric Visual Hallucinations Tell Us about the Visual Cortex | 2002 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Psilocybin-assisted therapy of major depressive disorder using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy as a therapeutic frame | 2020 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 127
- Adverse effects of psychedelics: From anecdotes and misinformation to systematic science. Journal of Psychopharmacology February 2, 2022
- Extended difficulties following the use of psychedelic drugs: A mixed methods study PLoS One October 24, 2023
- Psychedelic integration: An analysis of the concept and its practice Frontiers in Psychology August 4, 2022
- Case analysis of long-term negative psychological responses to psychedelics Scientific Reports September 25, 2023
- Models of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Contemporary Assessment and an Introduction to EMBARK, a Transdiagnostic, Trans-Drug Model Frontiers in Psychology June 2, 2022
and 122 more in the library
Cites 66
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy for Depression: A New Approach to Preventing Relapse Psychotherapy Research March 1, 2003
- Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2008
- Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study Journal of Psychopharmacology January 13, 2015
- REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics Pharmacological Reviews June 20, 2019
and 61 more in the library