Compass Psychological Support Model for COMP360 Psilocybin Treatment of Serious Mental Health Conditions
Namik Kirlic, Molly Lennard-Jones, Merve Atli, Ekaterina Malievskaia, Don Koelpin, Nadav Liam Modlin, Stéphanie Knatz Peck, A.w.k. Gaillard, Guy M. Goodwin
American Journal of Psychiatry 2025 DOI: 10.1176/appi.ajp.20230884 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Participants with treatment-resistant depression in Compass-sponsored clinical trials of investigational COMP360 psilocybin treatment |
| Intervention | Compass Psychological Support Model (CPSM) |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Mental health Psychotherapist Compass Hallucinogen Clinical psychology |
| Citations | 27 |
| Key points | Argues that the Compass Psychological Support Model provides a structured framework for psychological support during investigational psilocybin treatment, with associated training and fidelity programs to ensure consistent delivery. |
Abstract
The psychedelic experience can be challenging. There is a need for a structured framework for providing psychological support to individuals with mental health conditions receiving investigational psilocybin treatment. The primary benefit of such a framework is to support a safe and meaningful psilocybin experience. It also enables future research on the facets of psychological support and/or psychotherapy that most optimally complement psilocybin treatment. The authors describe the Compass Psychological Support Model (CPSM), currently used to support participants with treatment-resistant depression in Compass-sponsored clinical trials of investigational COMP360 psilocybin treatment. The authors also outline the therapist training, mentoring, and fidelity assessment programs they have developed to ensure the quality and consistency of the CPSM delivery.
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 27
- Psilocybin therapy for mood dysfunction in Parkinson's disease: an open-label pilot trial. Neuropsychopharmacology April 9, 2025
- The Emergence of Psilocybin in Psychiatry and Neuroscience Pharmaceuticals April 9, 2025
- Investigating the safety and tolerability of single-dose psilocybin for post-traumatic stress disorder: A nonrandomized open-label clinical trial Journal of Psychopharmacology August 29, 2025
- The Psychological Support Model in Psilocybin Research: Psychotherapy in Disguise? Psychiatric Research and Clinical Practice January 14, 2026
- The role of therapeutic alliance in psilocybin treatment for treatment-resistant depression: A post hoc path analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders August 1, 2026
and 22 more in the library
Cites 27
- Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 23, 2012
- Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2008
- Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression. New England Journal of Medicine November 3, 2022
- Psilocybin occasioned mystical-type experiences: immediate and persisting dose-related effects. Psychopharmacology December 1, 2011
- Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later Journal of Psychopharmacology May 30, 2008
and 22 more in the library