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Understanding Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Providers' Perspective and Insights: A Qualitative Analysis.
Crystal Lederhos Smith1, Nathan Sackett2, Brian Connor Stark1
1Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Laboratory for Innovations in Therapeutics, Analytics and PsychoPharmacology Laboratory, Washington State University, Spokane, Washington, USA.
Psychedelic Medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.)
|March 7, 2025
Summary
Underground psychedelic providers share healing experiences and flexible protocols. They express concern about legalization impacting practice flexibility and personalization, highlighting the need for diverse research to inform policy.
Area of Science:
- Psychedelic research
- Psychotherapy
- Public health policy
Background:
- Increasing interest in therapeutic and recreational psychedelic use.
- Federal prohibition since 1970 has hindered research.
- Despite regulatory challenges, psychedelic research has expanded, with states and cities developing policies.
Purpose of the Study:
- Examine protocols and perspectives of underground psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy providers.
- Inform policy and public health regarding increasing psychedelic use in the U.S.
Main Methods:
- Qualitative content analysis of interview transcripts from underground providers.
Main Results:
- Four themes emerged: (1) altruistic sharing of positive psychedelic effects, (2) consistent yet flexible provider processes, (3) belief in client's intrinsic healing abilities, (4) provider dissonance regarding legalization, balancing access with concerns over flexibility and depersonalization.
Conclusions:
- Integrate findings from clinical trials and observational studies of current practices.
- Incorporate insights from underground psychedelic practice to inform future research and policy.
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