Wolves Among Sheep: Sexual Violations in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy.
Tahlia R. Harrison, Sonya C. Faber, Manzar Zare, Matthieu Fontaine, Monnica T. Williams
Am J Bioeth January 13, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/15265161.2024.2433423 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Patient vulnerability Patient welfare Patient security Professional abuse Exploitation Unethical behavior Malpractice Abuse of power Psychedelic medicine Psychedelic treatment Ethical oversight Regulation Professional responsibility Boundaries |
| Citations | 22 |
| Key points | Argues that power dynamics in psychedelic-assisted therapy can lead to sexual abuse, and that ethical practice and regulatory frameworks are needed to address these issues. |
Abstract
The integration of psychedelic substances into modern Western therapeutic practice has sparked a critical examination of many topics including: efficacy of psychedelics to treat mental health diagnoses without psychotherapeutic intervention, what models of therapy to use, and ethical implications related to altered states of consciousness. Of utmost concern are issues of power dynamics leading to incidents of sexual abuse. These issues underscore the importance of understanding therapeutic dynamics within the context of psychedelic-assisted therapy. This paper aims to explore these intersections, addressing sexual abuse issues in Western psychedelic-assisted therapy while elucidating pathways towards ethical practice and regulatory frameworks.