Australian & New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry
November 17, 2022
Riccardo Miceli Mcmillan, Anthony Vincent Fernandez
30 citations
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is being studied as a treatment for various psychiatric illnesses. Current evidence indicates that the subjective experiences caused by psychedelics are important for therapeutic outcomes. Most knowledge of these experiences comes from psychometric scales like the Mystical Experience Questionnaire. The authors argue that more detailed descriptions of how psychedelics change subjective experience are needed. They propose using qualitative methods from phenomenological psychopathology to systematically investigate these changes. This approach aims to characterize therapeutic psychedelic experiences using concepts from philosophical phenomenology, which should help clarify the mechanisms of psychedelic therapy, the role of integration therapy, and related philosophical debates.
Medical humanities
September 1, 2022
Riccardo Miceli Mcmillan
25 citations
Psychedelic compounds are regaining interest for their therapeutic effects, and their controversial nature demands bioethical guidance. This paper argues that psychedelic-using communities should be included in bioethical discussions about psychedelic medicalisation. These communities possess epistemic expertise from embodied experiences, enabling them to identify normative considerations others might overlook. They are also uniquely affected by medicalisation, so their needs must be considered. The counterargument that such communities are less capable of deliberative reasoning is acknowledged, but the author proposes that consultation is owed to undo epistemic injustice.
Medicine, health care, and philosophy
June 1, 2022
Riccardo Miceli Mcmillan, Christopher Jordens
15 citations
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) may treat major depressive disorder by inducing broadened pre-intentional possibility, which produces sudden, profound, and enduring changes in how patients experience their bodies, self-narratives, and social connections. Drawing on phenomenological accounts, the paper argues that depression involves three forms of alienation or unhomelike being-in-the-world: illness suffering (embodiment), existential suffering (self-narratives), and political suffering (social relationships). PAP counteracts the loss of pre-intentional possibility that characterizes depression, consistent with a bio-psycho-social model of mental health. This framework supports the plausibility of reported treatment success and justifies further empirical research.
Journal of homosexuality
July 8, 2025
Riccardo Miceli Mcmillan, James A Fowler, Tamara Erbacher et al.
2 citations
LGBTQA+ individuals who have used classic psychedelics emphasize that healthcare providers must examine their own biases and learn relevant language to build trust and ensure safety during preparation sessions. Providers should adopt a flexible, client-led approach when supporting identity exploration, particularly around returning from a 'universal consciousness' experience. They also need to thoughtfully modulate their presence during clients' psychedelic experiences. These findings highlight the need for psychedelic-assisted therapy protocols that acknowledge the varied experiences and needs of LGBTQA+ communities.
Aust N Z J Psychiatry
November 5, 2023
Riccardo Miceli Mcmillan, Anthony Vincent Fernandez
2 citations
The author responds to a Letter to the Editor, reiterating the argument that phenomenology is essential for understanding subjective experience in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. The reply defends the original position that phenomenological methods can provide valuable insights into the nature of these experiences, which may be overlooked by purely quantitative approaches. The author maintains that incorporating phenomenological perspectives can enhance therapeutic understanding and outcomes in this emerging field.