Developing Guidelines and Competencies for the Training of Psychedelic Therapists

Abstract

Research since the 1950s has shown that psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy has had significant positive effects in reductions of specific clinical symptoms and increases in quality of life as measured on a variety of indices. The intensity of focus on evidence-based outcomes, however, has resulted in a paucity of active discussions and research on the core competencies of the therapists themselves. The context of the history of psychedelic research reveals how this neglect of therapist variables occurred. With current discussions of Phase 3 and expanded access research programs for psilocybin-assisted and MDMAassisted psychotherapies, there will be a great need for competent therapists trained in this clinical specialty. This is particularly the case if less restricted, legal medical use is approved within the next 6 to 10 years. This article is the first review and compilation of psychedelic therapist competencies derived from the psychedelic literature. These six therapist competencies are empathetic abiding presence; trust enhancement; spiritual intelligence; knowledge of the physical and psychological effects of psychedelics; therapist self-awareness and ethical integrity; and proficiency in complementary techniques. A further contribution of this review is a delineation of the 12 fundamental curricular domains of study for the training and development of these therapist competencies. As current legal restrictions evolve, aspects of these training guidelines will develop accordingly.

Psychiatry & the psychedelic drugs. Past, present & future

“…At least one session of psychological preparation is required for all participants and is probably most effectively delivered by psychotherapists, psychologists or counsellors that have experience of the psychedelic state and appropriate training (Phelps, 2017). Likely effects of the psychedelic should be discussed and attention given to the possibility of long forgotten, unknown or emotionally charged material surfacing.…”

Depression, Mindfulness, and Psilocybin: Possible Complementary Effects of Mindfulness Meditation and Psilocybin in the Treatment of Depression. A Review

“…Lastly, a combination of MM and psilocybin may also bear benefits for MDD patients in a more indirect way, as findings indicate. Mindfulness could represent a useful asset to the training of psychedelic therapists (199,200). Future studies may test if patients of psychedelic therapists trained in mindfulness demonstrate better outcomes on psychological measures of depression in comparison to patients of therapists that were not trained in mindfulness.…”

Culturally informed research design issues in a study for MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for posttraumatic stress disorder

“…Leaders in the field of psychedelic medicine are working to develop credentialing boards to implement the therapeutic competencies needed to work responsibly with MDMA and other psychedelic substances. Because of the importance of this work and the extreme vulnerability of patients during non-ordinary states of consciousness, all therapy providers and supervisors should have basic competencies in working ethically and skillfully with people of color (Phelps, 2017;Sisti, 2018). These essential skills include the ability to (a) understand normal cultural variations in the expression of psychopathology and personality traits; (b) identify trauma related to the experience of racial discrimination, ethnic violence, xenophobia, and other forms of oppression; (c) develop good rapport with people of color by appropriately expressing caring, empathy, and respect; (d) comfortably engage in discussions about racially charged topics; and (e) identify and describe their own biases as they relate to ethnic and racial differences, with an ongoing action plan to address these.…”