Experiential Training in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: A Risk-Benefit Analysis.
Daniel Rosenbaum, Crystal Hare, Emma Hapke, Yarissa Herman, Susan Abbey, Dominic Sisti, Daniel Z. Buchman
The Hastings Center Report July 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1002/hast.1602 (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 | Psychedelic therapist training Experiential psychedelic training Therapist psychedelic experience Psychedelic-assisted therapy education Psychedelic therapy education Therapist professional development Therapist development Clinical skill enhancement Empathy in therapy Therapeutic understanding Professional growth Ethical psychedelic practice Ethical frameworks Risk mitigation Professional ethics Ethical guidelines Patient care enhancement Enhanced patient care Compassionate therapy Therapeutic efficacy Effective patient care Patient care improvement |
| Citations | 10 |
| Key points | Argues that experiential training in psychedelic-assisted therapy should not be mandatory, based on analysis of potential benefits and risks across six domains. |
Abstract
Well-trained, competent therapists are crucial for safe and effective psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT). The question whether PAT training programs should require aspiring therapists to undergo their own PAT-commonly referred to as "experiential training"-has received much attention within the field. In this article, we analyze the potential benefits of experiential training in PAT by applying the framework developed by Rolf Sandell et al. concerning the functions of any training therapy (the therapeutic, modeling, empathic, persuasive, and theoretical functions). We then explore six key domains in which risks could arise through mandatory experiential training: physical and psychological risks; negative impact on therapeutic skill; justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion; dual relationships; privacy and confidentiality; and undue pressure. Ultimately, we argue that experiential training in PAT should not be mandatory. Because many PAT training programs already incorporate experiential training methods, our exploration of potential harms and benefits may be used to generate comprehensive risk-mitigation strategies.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theorizing that Psychedelic Assisted Therapy May Play a Role in the Treatment of Trauma-Induced Personality Disorders. | 2024 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Learning to Let Go: A Cognitive-Behavioral Model of How Psychedelic Therapy Promotes Acceptance | 2020 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Awe: a putative mechanism underlying the effects of classic psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy | 2018 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Ethical and legal issues in psychedelic harm reduction and integration therapy | 2021 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Towards psychedelic apprenticeship: Developing a gentle touch for the mediation and validation of psychedelic-induced insights and revelations. | 2022 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 10
- Distinctive But Not Exceptional: The Risks of Psychedelic Ethical Exceptionalism. The American Journal of Bioethics 2025
- Prolonged adverse effects from repeated psilocybin use in an underground psychedelic therapy training program: a case report BMC Psychiatry February 28, 2025
- Ethical Aspects of Psychedelic-Assisted Treatments: An Overview. Current Topics in Behavioral Neurosciences November 8, 2024
- Enhanced independence: De-biasing processes in psychedelic research and beyond Research Ethics April 2, 2025
- Experiential dimension of psilocybin-assisted therapy training: Necessity or hindrance to wider accessibility? Journal of Psychedelic Studies January 21, 2025
and 5 more in the library
Cites 42
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression New England Journal of Medicine April 14, 2021
- Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study Journal of Psychopharmacology January 13, 2015
- MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study. Nature Medicine June 1, 2021
- Single-Dose Psilocybin Treatment for Major Depressive Disorder JAMA August 31, 2023
and 37 more in the library