Experiential Training in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: A Risk-Benefit Analysis

Area of Science:

• Psychotherapy research
• Clinical psychology
• Psychedelic studies

Background:

• Competent therapists are essential for safe and effective psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT).
• The necessity of "experiential training" (therapists undergoing PAT) in PAT training programs is a significant debate in the field.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the potential benefits of experiential training in PAT using Sandell et al.'s framework.
• To explore the potential risks associated with mandatory experiential training in six key domains.

Main Methods:

• Application of the Rolf Sandell et al. framework to evaluate the functions of training therapy.
• Qualitative analysis of potential risks in physical, psychological, skill-based, ethical, and privacy domains.

Main Results:

• Experiential training offers potential benefits, including therapeutic, modeling, empathic, persuasive, and theoretical functions.
• Mandatory experiential training poses risks related to physical/psychological harm, therapeutic skill impairment, DEI issues, dual relationships, privacy breaches, and undue pressure.

Conclusions:

• Experiential training in PAT should not be mandatory.
• Findings can inform risk-mitigation strategies for current PAT training programs that include experiential components.