Wow…. 15 years.  I’ve been writing these blog posts for over 15 years.  I hope they have been helpful.

If you’ve been reading the blog for the past 15 years – or maybe listening to the podcast for the past 5-ish years, you know that I am always looking for better ways to help people more effectively.  That’s part of the profession – 20 hours of continuing education each year.  But I’ve also tried to make that fun and interesting – not just for myself, but for those I help.  That’s why I completed an intense year of training to be certified as a Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapist.  I’m sure I’ve talked and written plenty about it – but as I look to update my website, I’ve been writing more, so I thought I would share it with you.

So, What is Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy?

Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy is a therapeutic approach that combines traditional talk therapy with the guided use of psychedelic substances—such as psilocybin (found in “magic mushrooms”), MDMA, or LSD—under professional supervision. The aim is to create altered states of consciousness that can help people access thoughts, emotions, and memories in ways that may be difficult in ordinary states of mind.

Here are the key aspects:

1. Therapeutic Framework

• Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy usually includes three phases:
  1. Preparation sessions: The therapist helps the patient set intentions, build trust, and prepare for the psychedelic experience.
  2. Dosing sessions: The patient takes the psychedelic substance in a controlled, supportive environment, guided by therapists. The focus is on inward exploration rather than external stimulation.
  3. Integration sessions: After the psychedelic experience, the therapist helps the patient process insights and apply them to daily life.

2. Goals of Treatment

• Enhance emotional breakthroughs
• Reduce fear or avoidance when confronting traumatic memories
• Support new perspectives on deeply held beliefs or patterns
• Promote connection, meaning, and self-compassion

3. Clinical Applications

Research suggests Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy may be effective for:

• Treatment-resistant depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Discovering Meaning in life throughout the lifespan
• Substance use disorders

4. Safety and Regulation

• Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy is not the same as recreational use: it happens under medical/psychological supervision with carefully chosen dosages.
• Many of these treatments are still in clinical trials or available only through special access programs in certain regions.

Next week, I’ll write more about the differences between Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy and traditional Psychotherapy.