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) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPsychedelic-assisted therapy raises urgent ethical concerns, particularly regarding power imbalances that can lead to sexual abuse. This paper examines how altered states of consciousness in therapeutic settings create vulnerabilities, and it outlines pathways for developing ethical practices and regulatory frameworks to prevent misconduct. The authors argue that understanding therapeutic dynamics is critical to protecting patients and ensuring professional accountability in this emerging field.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Patient vulnerability Patient welfare Patient security Professional abuse Exploitation |
| Citations | 22 |
| Key finding | 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.