Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy
Ed Geraty LCSW-C
InsiteIntegrative.com
Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy (PAP)
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) combines psychodynamic psychotherapy, a range of "experiential" therapies like “Jungian Depth therapy”, “Inner Child work”, “Transpersonal psychotherapy”, “Internal Family Systems therapy”, “Guided Imagery”, etc and the use of psychedelic drugs to treat depressive disorders, addiction, anxiety disorders, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and pain disorders. At this point, Ketamine is the FDA approved drug administered to patients.
While psychedelic drugs have been used therapeutically in a wide variety of contexts, PAP as it is practiced in the majority of FDA clinical trials follows a protocol established by Dr. Stanislov Grof. Grof's method of PAP as outlined in LSD Psychotherapy (Grof, 2008) that describes the thoughtful integration of a trusting therapeutic relationship, a safe and aesthetically pleasing environment, emotionally evocative music, deep breathing, psycho-education, and mind-altering medications.
The treatment generally includes an initial "experiential" drug-assisted session, and talk therapy sessions where patients identify their treatment goals and reflect on the experiential sessions, and then followed up with additional drug assisted sessions and psychotherapy sessions as prescribed.
While most psilocybin-assisted treatments are limited to one experiential session, MDMA-assisted treatment typically includes 2-3 experiential sessions and Ketamine assisted treatments typically are 4 -6 sessions administered over time, with psychotherapy sessions scheduled between the drug assisted experiences.
The responsibilities of the psychotherapist include describing the treatment protocol to patients, helping patients identify their goals for treatment, helping patients prepare for their experiential sessions, and answering any questions patients might have. In between experiential sessions, the therapist is a source of emotional support for patients. For example, if a patient begins to feel anxious after the experiential session, the therapist will lead them through a deep breathing exercise or other anxiety relieving mindfulness practices.
The therapist maintains a calm, warm, present-focused, and quiet presence after the experiential session. This helps patients feel relaxed, safe and cared for while they are engaged in their drug-assisted treatments.
A typical PAP experiential session begins with the patient stating their intention and ceremoniously receiving the psychedelic drug from the medical provider. The patient will then lie comfortably in a recliner, while they listen to relaxing music through headphones. The medical team is close by, ready to support the patient when indicated.
After the drug assisted sessions, the psychotherapist assists the patient to explore the visions and emotional experiences that the psychological drug induces in their minds These drug-assisted experiences frequently include autobiographical or spiritual themes, while helping patients relate to the source of distress in a new way. This new way of relating to the source of distress often leads to the elevation of mood, decrease in anxiety, decrease in intrusive thoughts and behaviors, and decrease in substance dependence.
The psychotherapist begins to help the patient review what they experienced, and integrate the insight that the patient-derived from the experience into their daily life. PAP therapists draw from psychotherapeutic theories during the integration phase of treatment, such as Jungian Depth psychotherapy or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Ultimately the aim of this dynamic and integrative treatment is the long-term reduction of psychological distress and increase in the quality of daily life.
To begin this psychotherapy process and be referred to the Ketamine provider please email me at Insiteintegrative@gmail.com
For further information about the Ketamine infusion process please go to the Baltimore Ketamine Clinic website.