The Importance of Accredited Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Training

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is an emerging field that combines the use of psychedelics like psilocybin, Ketamine, or MDMA with traditional psychotherapy. While the therapeutic potential of psychedelics is becoming increasingly acknowledged, there is a growing need for standardized and accredited training for therapists. Accreditation ensures that practitioners are well-versed in the ethical, clinical, and pharmacological aspects of the practice, thus safeguarding both therapists and patients.

Regulatory Landscape

Psychedelics are moving from the fringes to mainstream medicine, thanks in part to the FDA designating psilocybin and MDMA as breakthrough therapies for conditions like depression and PTSD (Pollan, Michael. “The Trip Treatment.” The New Yorker, 2015). More recently, Australia approved psilocybin and MDMA for therapeutic use. (Herrington, A.J. “Australia Approves Psilocybin and MDMA For Therapeutic Use.” Forbes, 30 June 2023,) and California approved the prescription of MDMA and Psylocibin as soon as the drugs became federally legal (Smith, Benjamin A. “California Passes Law Enabling MDMA And Psilocybin Prescriptions When Federally Legal.” The Dales Report, 5 Oct. 2023)

Under the current legal landscape and especially when the drugs become available for prescription, we will see stringent regulations and oversight, leading to the need for accredited training (Nutt, David, et al. “Effects of Schedule I Drug Laws on Neuroscience Research and Treatment Innovation.” Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2013).

Ensuring Clinical Competence

A standardized curriculum ensures that therapists are proficient in the specific clinical skills required for psychedelic-assisted therapy, including managing challenging emotional experiences during sessions (Mithoefer, Michael C., et al. “The Safety and Efficacy of ±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine-Assisted Psychotherapy in Subjects with Chronic, Treatment-Resistant Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.” Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2011).

Ethical Considerations

Given the vulnerable state patients might experience during sessions, therapists must adhere to the highest ethical standards. ATMA’s Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Training programs include a heavy focus on ethics, ensuring the well-being of the patient and minimizing potential harm (Johnson, Matthew W., et al. “The Abuse Potential of Medical Psilocybin According to the 8 Factors of the Controlled Substances Act.” Neuropharmacology, 2018).

Harm Reduction

Our training programs equip therapists with the essential tools for harm reduction, including knowledge of contraindications, potential drug interactions, and adverse events. This preparation aims to maximize safety in therapy, setting a standard for accreditation once it becomes available. (Tupper, Kenneth W., et al. “Psychedelic Medicine: A Re-emerging Therapeutic Paradigm.” CMAJ, 2015).

Holistic Approach

Our Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Training as an accredited program will integrate a holistic approach, often blending the use of psychedelics with other therapies such as Acceptance and Commitment Therapy or mindfulness techniques (Bogenschutz, Michael P., et al. “Psilocybin-Assisted Treatment for Alcohol Dependence.” Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2015).

Access, Inclusivity, and Cultural Sensitivity

Accredited programs include training in cultural sensitivity, as psychedelics have been traditionally used in various indigenous cultures and religious practices (Labate, Beatriz Caiuby, and Clancy Cavnar, editors. The Therapeutic Use of Ayahuasca. Springer, 2014). ATMA’s Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Training programs provide engaging opportunities with a variety of perspectives on the evolving issues and concerns in this field, including considerations related to indigenous communities, marginalized groups, and the LGBTQ+ community.

Future Directions

As the field matures, it is likely that accredited training will become the industry standard, setting a precedent for the integration of psychedelics into mainstream therapeutic modalities (Cavarra, Mauro, et Al. . “Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy—A Systematic Review of Associated Psychological Interventions.” Frontiers in Psychology, 2022)

Conclusion

Accredited Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Training is crucial for ensuring the safety, efficacy, and ethical standards of this promising therapeutic approach. ATMA is at the forefront of training in psychedelic-assisted therapy, and it is becoming a beacon and standard for accreditation and best practices.

Works Cited

Pollan, Michael. “The Trip Treatment.” The New Yorker, 2015.

Nutt, David, et al. “Effects of Schedule I Drug Laws on Neuroscience Research and Treatment Innovation.” Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 2013.

Mithoefer, Michael C., et al. “The Safety and Efficacy of ±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine-Assisted Psychotherapy in Subjects with Chronic, Treatment-Resistant Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.” Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2011.

Johnson, Matthew W., et al. “The Abuse Potential of Medical Psilocybin According to the 8 Factors of the Controlled Substances Act.” Neuropharmacology, 2018.

Tupper, Kenneth W., et al. “Psychedelic Medicine: A Re-emerging Therapeutic Paradigm.” CMAJ, 2015.

Bogenschutz, Michael P., et al. “Psilocybin-Assisted Treatment for Alcohol Dependence.” Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2015.

Labate, Beatriz Caiuby, and Clancy Cavnar, editors. The Therapeutic Use of Ayahuasca. Springer, 2014.

Cavarra, Mauro, et al. “Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy—A Systematic Review of Associated Psychological Interventions.” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 13, 10 June 2022, sec. Psychology for Clinical Settings, doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2022.887255​1​

Herrington, A.J. “Australia Approves Psilocybin And MDMA For Therapeutic Use.” Forbes, 30 June 2023, https://www.forbes.com/sites/ajherrington/2023/06/30/australia-approves-psilocybin-and-mdma-for-therapeutic-use/?sh=460c0f046f6d

Smith, Benjamin A. “California Passes Law Enabling MDMA And Psilocybin Prescriptions When Federally Legal.” The Dales Report, 5 Oct. 2023, https://thedalesreport.com/psychedelics/california-passes-law-enabling-mdma-and-psilocybin-prescriptions-when-federally-legal/