Experiential dimension of psilocybin-assisted therapy training: Necessity or hindrance to wider accessibility?
Louis Plourde, Sue-Ling Chang, Houman Farzin, Jean-François Stephan, Jean‐sébastien Fallu, Michel Dorval
Journal of Psychedelic Studies January 21, 2025 DOI: 10.1556/2054.2024.00431 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe debate about whether psychotherapists should personally experience non-ordinary states of consciousness during psilocybin-assisted therapy training is important because it influences treatment safety, effectiveness, and accessibility. Ethical and practical concerns about making such experience a training standard need urgent attention where psilocybin therapy is being integrated into healthcare. The authors argue that the most balanced and ethical approach is to legally allow psilocybin use for professional training but not require it.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Experiential learning Dimension graph theory Psychotherapist Psychology |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key finding | The most balanced and ethical approach to psilocybin-assisted therapy training is to make psilocybin legally available for professional training without making it a requirement. |
Abstract
Abstract The discussion surrounding the necessity of acquiring personal experience of non-ordinary states of consciousness in the course of psilocybin-assisted therapy training is crucial, as it can affect treatment safety, effectiveness and accessibility. As such, the ethical and practical issues associated with such a training standard require timely consideration in jurisdictions where this intervention is endorsed and integrated into healthcare. We believe the most balanced and ethical approach is to make psilocybin legally available for professional training without making it a requirement.