Deprecated: Creation of dynamic property FusionSC_Column::$is_nested is deprecated in /var/www/vhosts/mind-foundation.org/insight-conference.eu/wp-content/plugins/fusion-builder/inc/class-fusion-column-element.php on line 580
Insight 20223
August 31 – September 3 in Berlin

Psychedelics, Psychotherapy, and Pitfalls

  • 11/09/2021
  • 17:05 - 17:35
  • Track 1: Auditorium

Abstract

In this presentation I will explore multiple big-picture domains relevant to understanding psychedelic therapy and maximizing its efficacy and safe adoption into mainstream clinical practice and science. Psychedelic therapy shares more in common with psychotherapy than it does with traditional psychiatric medications. Specifically, psychedelic therapy likely amplifies processes common to conventional psychotherapies including enhancement of meaning and the therapeutic relationship. I will explore how these processes can also open the door for therapeutic dangers. It is critical in clinical practice to let the client determine her or his own metaphysical meaning, if any, from psychedelic experiences, rather than to impose or introduce the clinician’s own metaphysical beliefs. Clinicians must avoid falling into the roles of guru or priest, and only introduce concepts grounded in their professional, empirically informed expertise. Clinicians and scientists should use precision when discussing concepts referred to as “consciousness” such as phenomenal consciousness and self-concept, and be cautious to not overstate what is scientifically known regarding the relation between psychedelics and these concepts. Finally, a common but dangerous tendency is to assume that psychedelic therapy constitutes an exception to many accepted clinical and ethical norms. I will argue, however, that the intensity and meaningfulness of psychedelic effects call for even greater attention and adherence to the wisdom of clinical boundaries and norms.

Related Events

Research on the clinical application of psychedelics is gaining momentum. However major knowledge gaps remain regarding the mechanisms of action underlying beneficial therapeutic effects of these s

Rob Coffey, M.Sc./MIACP

The benefits of psychedelic therapy have been very well documented over the past number of years, with cutting edge scientific research showing the healing potential of substances like psilocybin.<

Prof. Dr. med. Franz X. Vollenweider

Recent integrative psychological and neuroscientific approaches to depression highlight that the self is a core dimension of depression. The self in depression is characterized by an increased self

Stefan Lang, M.A.

Psychedelic experiences lack an a priori epistemic and ethical framework that helps navigate the experience. The psychonaut may thus apply a framework for understanding the experience according to

Go to Top