What do you do when a client lets you know they are going to use psychedelics on their own, as part of a ceremony, spiritual practice or because they’ve heard it can help them? Is there anything you can do to help reduce harm? And what about micro-dosing, which is gaining popularity?
Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration (PHRI) is a transdiagnostic and transtheoretical approach that YOU as a mental health professional can take to having conversations with people who have taken psychedelics in clinical or non-clinical settings, or who are seeking help at any stage of psychedelic use. This recording will cover the core concepts of PHRI and its applications, including discussions about microdosing, responding to requests for referrals to non-licensed providers, and working with difficult experiences.
Objectives
In the first ever phase 3 trial of MDMA for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), it was reported that 67% of the group who received MDMA, compared to 32% of the group who received placebo, no longer qualified for a PTSD diagnosis after three MDMA treatment sessions. Now, a second Phase 3 clinical trial is nearing completion with a possibility of MDMA becoming an available treatment in the near future. The aim of this recording is to prepare clinicians with an understanding of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD in light of this eventuality.
Objectives
There has been emerging evidence for the efficacy of ketamine used within the framework of psychotherapy, known as ketamine assisted psychotherapy. However, there are large differences between ketamine “clinics” and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy which can be offered in a community-based therapy setting. In this recording, we’ll look at some of those differences and ways to further integrate KAP into therapy settings.
Ketamine is an FDA approved medication that has been used for anesthesia and pain relief in adults and children for many years. It has been researched and utilized off label for the treatment of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other “treatment resistant” mental health disorders. Thus far it has shown promising results in treating mental health disorders in clinical research studies mostly looking at IV Ketamine infusion offered in clinic settings.
Objectives
Ayahuasca is one of the most popular and least understood of the psychedelic agents. This recording will cover an introduction to ayahuasca, including biochemical, neuroscientific and historical/cultural aspects of its use. Following this, we’ll cover contemporary research on its effects on mental health and its use for treatment of conditions such as addiction and depression. Lastly, some of the psychodynamic aspects of shamanic and syncretic religions settings will be described.
Objectives
Not all experiences with psychedelics feel good. It’s in fact common for people to experience some level of distress, and without proper guidance, these unpleasant journeys can leave people feeling more dis-integrated than they were before.
In this dynamic recording, Gabor Maté, MD, will present from research and his own extensive experience, ways to reduce the likelihood of harm from psychedelic use, and how negative or unpleasant experiences can be transformed into deeply meaningful and healing experiences.
Objectives
This recording will explore modern approaches to psychotherapy using the classic psychedelic compound psilocybin. This includes a variety of disorders including substance use disorders, affective, and anxiety disorders. Methods for assuring safety as well as maximizing efficacy will be reviewed.
Objectives
In anticipation of FDA approval and medicalization, many clinicians have jumped at the opportunity to be trained in these modalities and others are interested in learning more, but many questions remain unanswered around the current policy landscape, changes needed to welcome these medicines into our current healthcare system and in psychotherapy. This goal of this session is to provide clinicians with an overview of the history and current state of psychedelic policy and the implications for clinicians interested in practicing psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Objectives
Just as the assessment is an important part of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy (PAP), the integration after PAP treatment is even more important.
Several key elements are involved in strategic integration in an attempt to avoid influencing or fulfilling the therapist’s agenda above what is important to the patient.
Ketamine has been used legally for depression, anxiety, and a host of other mental health conditions. This recording reviews the key elements of integration strategies specific to the mental health condition being addressed. Ketamine treatment has some specific nuances that will be outlined and compared to other psychedelics.
Ways to improve the efficacy of the integration are described with specific case examples to highlight tools to improve outcome.
Viewers will leave with an understanding as to when ketamine assisted psychotherapy might be beneficial to specific patients.
Objectives
Psychedelics have been studied for the treatment of PTSD, depression, end-of-life anxiety, OCD, addictions, and a number of other mental health conditions. However, research studies of psychedelic psychotherapies have largely excluded people of colour, leaving important questions unaddressed for these populations.
Dr. Williams will review relevant research, documenting exclusion based on the international literature. She will discuss ethnic minority mental health and how psychedelic therapies may help or hinder healing for people of colour. Also discussed are next steps in ensuring that access to culturally-informed care is prioritized as several psychedelics move into late phase trials and expanded access, including the importance of culturally-informed approaches and training focused on therapy providers of colour.
Objectives
The psyche is a delicate ecosystem and psychedelics are powerful agents that can affect it profoundly. That effect can be very positive but also there is the potential for extreme disruption. We propose a non-pathologizing map based on Internal Family Systems Therapy to this inner territory that helps facilitators and subjects alike maintain steady presence and not overreact to sometimes dramatic shifts. This session will address probable risks and benefits and suggest this as a model for further research.
This product is not endorsed by, sponsored by, or affiliated with the IFS Institute and does not qualify for IFS Institute credits or certification.
Objectives