(HS Mithoefer 096267 2022) Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy In-depth: In-session demonstrations and real-world insight...

Course overview

Can Psychedelics make Psychotherapy more effective? Recent, exciting developments in Clinical Research suggest psychedelics can act as powerful catalysts of psychotherapy. Media coverage of this research has led to growing curiosity about psychedelics among therapy clients and the general public. This course is intended to provide practitioners with an introduction and update on the subject. There will be an overview of recent research into possible indications and risks of each of the 8 compounds: MDMA psilocybin, LSD Ketamine Ayahuasca ibogaine 5-Meo-DMT Cannabis. The course will concentrate most heavily on MDMA with a detailed review of the design and results of 20 years of clinical research on MDMA-assisted Psychotherapy (MDMA-AT), which recently culminated in completing a second Phase 3 trial of MDMA-AT for PTSD. There will also be a discussion of the risks and side effects of MDMA, preliminary research into other indications and therapeutic approaches, possible mechanisms suggested by growing neuroscience research, and an in-depth introduction to the "inner-directed" approach used in clinical trials of MDMA-AT illustrated by clinical vignettes and video clips of MDMA-AT research sessions. Many aspects of the therapeutic approach used in MDMA trials can also be applicable to work with other psychedelics. There will also be a discussion of the health economics research regarding MDMA-AT, and the challenges of patient access and therapist training.