Full Course Description

Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration in Clinical Practice

What do you do when a client lets you know they are going to use psychedelics on their own, as part of a ceremony, spiritual practice or because they’ve heard it can help them? Is there anything you can do to help reduce harm? And what about micro-dosing, which is gaining popularity?

Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration (PHRI) is a transdiagnostic and transtheoretical approach that YOU as a mental health professional can take to having conversations with people who have taken psychedelics in clinical or non-clinical settings, or who are seeking help at any stage of psychedelic use. This recording will cover the core concepts of PHRI and its applications, including discussions about microdosing, responding to requests for referrals to non-licensed providers, and working with difficult experiences.

Program Information

Objectives

Differentiate Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration from Psychedelic-assisted Therapy.
Determine ways to intervene with clients who are using or micro-dosing psychedelics.
Assess four theoretical pillars of the Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration model.
Integrate Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration into the larger picture of psychedelic-assisted therapies.

Outline

The differences between psychedelic assisted therapies & harm reduction interventions
The Four foundations of psychedelic harm reduction interventions
A model for integration of psychedelic applications
The issue of micro-dosing among clients
When clinicians are asked for referrals to non-licensed providers
Working with difficult psychedelic experiences in psychotherapy

Target Audience

Counselors
Marriage & Family Therapists
Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Physicians
Psychologists
Social Workers
Other Behavioral Health Professionals

Copyright : 07/27/2022

MDMA-Assisted Therapy in the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

In the first ever phase 3 trial of MDMA for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), it was reported that 67% of the group who received MDMA, compared to 32% of the group who received placebo, no longer qualified for a PTSD diagnosis after three MDMA treatment sessions. Now, a second Phase 3 clinical trial is nearing completion with a possibility of MDMA becoming an available treatment in the near future. The aim of this recording is to prepare clinicians with an understanding of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD in light of this eventuality.

Program Information

Objectives

Organize some of the most recent research into MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD.
Examine the psychological rationale for MDMA's potential therapeutic effect in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.
Utilize best practices in sharing basic information about MDMA-assisted therapy with clients.
Formulate strategies for discussing MDMA-assisted therapy from a destigmatized perspective.
Evaluate the potential benefits and limitations of our current scientific understanding.

Outline

What is MDMA-assisted therapy?
How is it used for PTSD?
Theorized mechanisms of action
How to discuss MDMA in your practice today

Target Audience

Counselors
Marriage & Family Therapists
Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Physicians
Psychologists
Social Workers
Other Behavioral Health Professionals

Copyright : 07/27/2022

New Models for Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy

There has been emerging evidence for the efficacy of ketamine used within the framework of psychotherapy, known as ketamine assisted psychotherapy. However, there are large differences between ketamine “clinics” and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy which can be offered in a community-based therapy setting. In this recording, we’ll look at some of those differences and ways to further integrate KAP into therapy settings.

Ketamine is an FDA approved medication that has been used for anesthesia and pain relief in adults and children for many years. It has been researched and utilized off label for the treatment of depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other “treatment resistant” mental health disorders. Thus far it has shown promising results in treating mental health disorders in clinical research studies mostly looking at IV Ketamine infusion offered in clinic settings.

Program Information

Objectives

Differentiate between ketamine therapy and ketamine assisted psychotherapy.
Evaluate at least 2 emerging models of ketamine assisted psychotherapy.
Catalogue the challenges of providing ketamine assisted therapy in a community setting.

Outline

Ketamine use for the treatment of mental health disorders
Several emerging models of ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP)
Prescriber-therapist collaboration
Individual vs. Group
Standard protocol vs client tailored treatment
Clinic vs home use vs Telehealth practice
The challenges of providing KAP in a community-based setting

Target Audience

Counselors
Marriage & Family Therapists
Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Physicians
Psychologists
Social Workers
Other Behavioral Health Professionals

Copyright : 07/27/2022

An Introduction to Ayahuasca for Mental Health Providers

Ayahuasca is one of the most popular and least understood of the psychedelic agents. This recording will cover an introduction to ayahuasca, including biochemical, neuroscientific and historical/cultural aspects of its use. Following this, we’ll cover contemporary research on its effects on mental health and its use for treatment of conditions such as addiction and depression. Lastly, some of the psychodynamic aspects of shamanic and syncretic religions settings will be described.

Program Information

Objectives

Analyze the components of ayahuasca and appraise the most important medication interaction risks when taking it.
Evaluate the 2 most common settings in which individuals might drink ayahuasca and how they are different.
Apply a Harm Reduction model to help patients/clients make informed decisions regarding ayahuasca use.

Outline

Basic biochemistry and neuroscience of ayahuasca
Introduction to the history and cultural aspects of ayahuasca around the world.
Selected findings from research on the effect of ayahuasca on mental health and its use as a treatment for addiction and depression
Psychodynamic aspects of shamanic and syncretic religious settings for ayahuasca use that will be informative to mental health practitioners whose patients/clients seek ayahuasca experiences

Target Audience

Counselors
Marriage & Family Therapists
Nurses
Psychologists
Social Workers
Other Behavioral Health Professionals

Copyright : 07/27/2022

When Psychedelics Hurt: Psychedelic Unpleasant Experiences as a Pathway to Healing

Not all experiences with psychedelics feel good. It’s in fact common for people to experience some level of distress, and without proper guidance, these unpleasant journeys can leave people feeling more dis-integrated than they were before.

In this dynamic recording, Gabor Maté, MD, will present from research and his own extensive experience, ways to reduce the likelihood of harm from psychedelic use, and how negative or unpleasant experiences can be transformed into deeply meaningful and healing experiences.

Program Information

Objectives

Analyze key features behind common unpleasant psychedelic experiences.
Evaluate ways that unpleasant psychedelic experiences have been traditionally worked with in historical contexts.
Theorize four ways to discuss unpleasant experiences in ways that promote meaning making.

Outline

The most common unpleasant experiences from psychedelics and why they can happen
The challenges of unpleasant psychedelic experiences
The hidden ways unpleasant experiences can hold meaning and purpose
Transforming unpleasant experiences into meaningful narratives

Target Audience

Counselors
Marriage & Family Therapists
Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Physicians
Social Workers
Other Behavioral Health Professionals

Copyright : 07/27/2022

Evidence-Based Therapy Practices in Psilocybin-Assisted Interventions

This recording will explore modern approaches to psychotherapy using the classic psychedelic compound psilocybin. This includes a variety of disorders including substance use disorders, affective, and anxiety disorders. Methods for assuring safety as well as maximizing efficacy will be reviewed.

Program Information

Objectives

Analyze at least 2 disorders that are being studied in regard to psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
Determine at least 2 risks in the administration of psychedelics, specifically psilocybin.
Assess at least 2 ways to maximize the efficacy of psilocybin in psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.

Outline

Safety guidelines for psilocybin
Evidence for efficacy of psilocybin in psychotherapy
Guiding Psilocybin-assisted sessions

Target Audience

Counselors
Marriage & Family Therapists
Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Physicians
Psychologists
Social Workers
Other Behavioral Health Professionals

Copyright : 07/28/2022

Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapies: A Policy Perspective

In anticipation of FDA approval and medicalization, many clinicians have jumped at the opportunity to be trained in these modalities and others are interested in learning more, but many questions remain unanswered around the current policy landscape, changes needed to welcome these medicines into our current healthcare system and in psychotherapy. This goal of this session is to provide clinicians with an overview of the history and current state of psychedelic policy and the implications for clinicians interested in practicing psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Program Information

Objectives

Develop understanding of a brief history of psychedelic drug policy.
Analyze the FDA approval process and breakthrough designation and DEA scheduling.
Differentiate the various phases in the process of approval and where MDMA, Psilocybin, and Ketamine presently fall in this process.
Formulate comprehension of the main policy issues currently facing the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Debate the implications for practice and identify at least 1 way they can support the successful adoption of these new therapies.

Outline

History of Psychedelic Drug Policy
FDA approval process, breakthrough designation, and DEA scheduling
Psychedelic medicines currently being studied and/or used in therapy
Main policy issues in the field of psychedelics
Implications for practice and ways to be involved as clinicians

Target Audience

Counselors
Marriage & Family Therapists
Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Physicians
Psychologists
Social Workers
Other Behavioral Health Professionals

Copyright : 07/28/2022

The Fantastic Effects of Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy: A Revolution in Clinical Practice

Just as the assessment is an important part of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy (PAP), the integration after PAP treatment is even more important.

Several key elements are involved in strategic integration in an attempt to avoid influencing or fulfilling the therapist’s agenda above what is important to the patient.

Ketamine has been used legally for depression, anxiety, and a host of other mental health conditions. This recording reviews the key elements of integration strategies specific to the mental health condition being addressed. Ketamine treatment has some specific nuances that will be outlined and compared to other psychedelics.

Ways to improve the efficacy of the integration are described with specific case examples to highlight tools to improve outcome.

Viewers will leave with an understanding as to when ketamine assisted psychotherapy might be beneficial to specific patients.

Program Information

Objectives

Analyze the signature reactions and internal experiences specific to ketamine assisted psychotherapy (KAP).
Determine the key reactions to ketamine assisted psychotherapy experienced by a majority of clients as it relates to changes to their ego state and consciousness, both before, during, and after treatment with ketamine.
Categorize the stages of KAP as well as ways clinicians can help clients integrate what is learned during the psychedelic experience post-KAP.

Outline

Better understanding of KAP, including for awareness of when a referral might be needed and appropriate and understanding of the dimensions of integrating content from a KAP.
Build awareness, and awakening being – and healing trauma experiences through connection, compassion, and sharing.
Explore the role of emotional connection, and integration of emotional content therapeutically without the overshadowing of fear, anxiety and depression.
Case illustrations of KAP

Target Audience

Counselors
Marriage & Family Therapists
Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Physicians
Psychologists
Social Workers
Other Behavioral Health Professionals

Psychedelics & Racial Justice

Psychedelics have been studied for the treatment of PTSD, depression, end-of-life anxiety, OCD, addictions, and a number of other mental health conditions. However, research studies of psychedelic psychotherapies have largely excluded people of color, leaving important questions unaddressed for these populations.

Dr. Williams will review relevant research, documenting exclusion based on the international literature. She will discuss ethnic minority mental health and how psychedelic therapies may help or hinder healing for people of color. Also discussed are next steps in ensuring that access to culturally-informed care is prioritized as several psychedelics move into late phase trials and expanded access, including the importance of culturally-informed approaches and training focused on therapy providers of color.

Program Information

Objectives

Analyze how discrimination affects the mental health of people of color.
Theorize how race, ethnicity, and culture are important in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
Catalogue new research pertaining to psychedelics and racialized populations.

Outline

Discrimination in access to care
Racism and Microaggressions
The specific needs of racialized people during psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy
The latest research on psychedelics and people of color

Target Audience

Counselors
Marriage & Family Therapists
Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Physicians
Psychologists
Social Workers
Other Behavioral Health Professionals

The Internal Family Systems Approach to Psychedelic Experiences

The psyche is a delicate ecosystem and psychedelics are powerful agents that can affect it profoundly. That effect can be very positive but also there is the potential for extreme disruption. We propose a non-pathologizing map based on Internal Family Systems Therapy to this inner territory that helps facilitators and subjects alike maintain steady presence and not overreact to sometimes dramatic shifts. This session will address probable risks and benefits and suggest this as a model for further research.

This product is not endorsed by, sponsored by, or affiliated with the IFS Institute and does not qualify for IFS Institute credits or certification.

Program Information

Objectives

Evaluate the development and history of Internal Family Systems therapeutic approach.
Propose three characteristics of the impact of psychedelics on the psyche from the Internal Family System perspective.
Theorize a proposed way IFS can be used with psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy to enhance treatment outcomes.
Analyze the key facilitation skills needed to anticipate, and not overreact to, IFS work and parts work reactions.
Appraise the risks and benefits of such a framework for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies.

Outline

The IFS Model
Theories of IFS in psychedelic-assisted sessions
Demonstration video
The concept of “Self” in both therapist and client in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy
Risks and benefits of this theorized approach

Target Audience

Addiction Counselors
Counselors
Marriage & Family Therapists
Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Physicians
Psychologists
Social Workers
Other Behavioral Health Professionals