Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy: Navigating Complexity in Community

Where Do We Go from Here?

The landscape of therapeutic use of psychedelics has undergone recent seismic shifts, including the FDA's decision to reject the application of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. Mainstream media have swung from celebrating psychedelics' potential therapeutic benefits for multiple disorders to a series of critiques of the science, therapy models, and ethics of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP).

Yet amidst the tumult, several jurisdictions have decriminalized psychedelic compounds, states have created systems for psychedelic "services" and therapy, and recreational and underground use have expanded significantly. Many clinicians are confused about this juxtaposition and wonder how to understand with context and nuance the issues raised by the FDA's ruling and the stories in the media. They feel unsure about how to provide their patients with accurate information in a thoughtful and balanced way, even as their patients are more likely to use psychedelics, only heightening the need for clinicians to be well-informed about risks and benefits.

This 4th annual conference on PAP will provide cutting-edge information on current issues relevant for clinicians who work with psychedelics, are interested in doing so, or have patients who are interested in or already exploring these medicines. It will focus on the complexities of psychedelic use and the importance of community in working with them. We will explore the nuances of ethics, accountability, training, support and growth—together. Our expert faculty will dive into the controversies and investigate the merits of recent supportive and critical claims. In addition, to facilitate networking and build community, we'll hold 3 breakout sessions where participants can connect directly and discuss issues with each other as well as providing time for informal interaction.

If you have been puzzled or overwhelmed by all the developments related to PAP and want to advance your understanding of the latest issues in the field, join us in March – in person or online – to help develop this important community of clinicians.

Who Should Attend

• Psychologists
• Specialty Physicians
• Nurse Practitioners
• Primary Care Physicians
• Social Workers
• Counselors

Learning Objectives

Upon completion of this activity, participants will be able to:

• Articulate how psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) is currently situated in a policy context.
• List the ethical and practical complexities of the practice of PAP.
• Summarize issues and concerns that have been expressed on the road to approval of MDMA for PTSD.
• Foster communities of practice and support among clinicians who are interested in PAP.
• Describe the unique perils for sexual boundary violations in PAP and the role of communities in supporting safety and accountability.
• Discuss how to mitigate "undue influence" and cult practices in the psychedelics field.
• Describe the benefits and limitations of situating psychedelic healing within the medical model.
• Review harm reduction strategies to employ when clients use psychedelics on their own.
• Explain the relationship between psychedelic experiences and greater self-acceptance of one's experience of their sexual orientation and gender identity.
• Explore how psychedelics, when engaged with through the lens of mythology, symbolism, and interdisciplinary wisdom, can foster creativity, awe, and existential meaning, yielding benefits beyond instrumental support for healing.
• Discuss practical and collaborative steps to creating ketamine-assisted therapeutic groups.
• Identify factors to consider when selecting a PAP training program.
• Develop strategies to manage the complexities of PAP responsibly in community.

ABMS/ACGME Competencies

This course is designed to meet the following American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) / Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Educational (ACGME) competencies:

• Medical Knowledge
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills
• Professionalism
• Patient Care and Procedural Skills

IOM Competencies

This course is designed to meet the following Institute of Medicine Core Competencies:

• Provide Patient-Centered Care
• Employ Evidence-Based Practice

Questions?

Please contact the Continuing Education Programs with any questions by email at ceprograms@hms.harvard.edu.

Michael Alpert, MD

Psychiatrist and Psychotherapist in Private Practice
Lecturer on Psychiatry, Part-time Harvard Medical School
Educator and Consultant, MAPS Public Benefit Corporation

Joanna Duda, APRN, NP, CNS

Licensed Clinical Specialist in Mental Health Nursing in Private Practice

Trevor Findley, JD, LLM, MEd

Clinical Instructor, Food Law and Policy Clinic, Harvard Law School

Swana de Gijsel, MD

Assistant Professor of Medicine and Faculty, Hospital Medicine Department, Weill Cornell Medical College, NewYork-Presbyterian

Steven Hassan, PhD

Author and Founding Director, Freedom of Mind Resource Center

Elise Hoblitzelle, LMHC, MEd

Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Private Practice

Franklin King, MD

Instructor in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Director of Training and Education, Center for Neuroscience of Psychedelics, Massachusetts General Hospital

Matthew Skinta, PhD, ABPP

Associate Professor of Psychology, College of Humanities, Education & Social Sciences, Roosevelt University
Clinical Psychologist in Private Practice

Meg Striepe, PhD

Clinical Psychologist in Private Practice 

Anad Thomas, CRNA, PMHNP-BC

Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist
Co-Founder, Overgroundmed

Anne Vallely, PhD

Associate Professor, Classics and Religious Studies, Faculty of Arts, University of Ottawa
Founding Member, Academy of Mindfulness and Contemplative Studies
Member of the Board, Learning Committee, LIFE Research Institute
Member of the Board, Mahatma Gandhi Peace Council of Ottawa

Rosalind Watts, PhD

Clinical Psychologist and Founder, ACER Integration

Course Directors

Ronald D. Siegel, PsyD

Faculty, Center for Mindfulness and Compassion, Cambridge Health Alliance
Assistant Professor of Psychology (part-time), Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Faculty, Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy

Laura Warren, MD

Faculty Member, Department of Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance
Faculty and Mentor, CHA Center for Mindfulness and Compassion
Part-time Lecturer in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Member, Board of Advisors, Institute for Meditation and Psychotherapy

Jim Hopper, PhD

Consultant, Outpatient Addictions Service, Cambridge Health Alliance
Teaching Associate in Psychology, Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
Psychotherapist in Private Practice

Monnica Williams, PhD

Canada Research Chair for Mental Health Disparities, Director of the Laboratory for Culture and Mental Health Disparities, and Associate Professor, School of Psychology, University of Ottawa, Canada
Clinical Director, Behavioral Wellness Clinic, LLC

Karen Kuc, MPH

Director, Continuing Education in Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance​​​
Associate in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

In support of improving patient care, Harvard Medical School is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Physicians

The Harvard Medical School designates this live activity for a maximum of 14.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Psychologists

Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry maintains responsibility for this program and its content. This course offers 14.00 continuing education credits.

Social Workers

This program has been approved for a total of 14.00 Social Work Continuing Education hours for re-licensure, in accordance with 258 CMR. NASW-MA Chapter CE Approval Program Authorization Number D92952-1. NY Social Workers: Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an Approved Provider #0038 of continuing education for licensed social workers. This course offers 14.00 contact hours.

Counselors

Cambridge Health Alliance is an Affiliate of Harvard Medical School. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 5444.  Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Cambridge Health Alliance, Division of Continuing Education in Psychiatry is solely responsible for all aspects of the program. This course meets the requirements for 14.00 continuing education hours, and is also applicable for Commonwealth of Massachusetts Counseling/Allied Mental Health accreditation for 14.00 credits.

Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners and Registered Nurses

For the purpose of recertification, the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board and the American Nurses Credentialing Center accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ issued by organizations accredited by the ACCME. We would also suggest that learners check with their state licensing board to ensure they accept reciprocity with AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™ for re-licensure.

Canadian Accreditation

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada recognizes conferences and workshops held outside of Canada that are developed by a university, academy, hospital, specialty society or college as accredited group learning activities.

European Accreditation

The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of continuing medical education (CME) credit with the European Union of Medical Specialties (UEMS). Additional information regarding this agreement may be found here.

Please note: For psychologists, social workers and counselors, this course has been approved for a set amount of credits and CHA is not able to issue CE certificates for partial credit. In addition, this course has been approved as a live/live virtual activity and we cannot issue certificates for only watching the recordings; participants must be present for all of the sessions either in person or online. For any questions regarding CE credit, please email cme@challiance.org.