EMBARK Open Access

In this course section, students will delve into the unique ethical challenges posed by psychedelic-assisted therapy, particularly regarding maintaining proper clinical boundaries, which differ significantly from traditional treatment methods. Dr. Bill Brennan leads this module, emphasizing the importance for facilitators to acquire specialized skills to address these challenges and prevent relational harm to participants. The focus will be on equipping facilitators with the ability to recognize and respond effectively to transgressive impulses, ensuring ethical conduct and participant safety in psychedelic-assisted therapy contexts.

This part of the course focuses on the vital skills required to offer attuned care in psychedelic-assisted therapy, especially to individuals who differ from the facilitator in race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, or class. Emphasizing the need to incorporate cultural factors throughout the treatment process, from conceptualization to intervention, this module also addresses the importance of acknowledging and addressing one's own biases. Dr. NiCole T. Buchanan guides facilitators through a variety of skills and highlights specific cultural concerns relevant to psychedelic clinical trials.

This course segment delves into the broader societal and structural factors impacting individuals seeking psychedelic-assisted therapy. It moves beyond the traditional focus on personal and biological conditions, highlighting how the collective conditions of society profoundly influence these individual experiences. Florie St. Aime, LCSW, leads this module, offering a compelling call to facilitators to consider the collective dimensions of their participants' struggles. She also discusses strategies for addressing and moving forward from these broader societal influences in the context of psychedelic-assisted therapy.

This section of the course goes beyond the conventional scientific literature and diagnostic checklists for depression, offering a more in-depth and experiential understanding of the condition. Dr. Andrew Solomon brings a unique perspective by intertwining his personal experiences with depression and his professional expertise. This approach aims to provide a richer, more relatable understanding of the profound challenges faced by individuals suffering from depression, offering insights that are directly relevant to what participants in psychedelic-assisted therapy may be experiencing.

This course module delves into the Existential-spiritual domain of the EMBARK model, which addresses the deep religious, spiritual, or mystical experiences frequently encountered in psychedelic treatment. Dr. Alex Belser opens the session with a historical overview of the use of psychedelic medicines in sacred contexts over millennia. He then explores the diverse spiritual and existential experiences that have emerged for participants in past clinical trials of psychedelic-assisted therapy. The focus is on how facilitators can guide these profound experiences to positively contribute to a participant's treatment process.

This section of the course focuses on the Mindfulness domain within the EMBARK framework, specifically targeting the development of a participant's skill in observing and reflecting on their own mental processes during and after psychedelic medicine sessions. Dr. Tony Back and Dr. Alex Kelman guide therapists in learning techniques that can be integrated into all phases of treatment. These skills aim to help participants cultivate mindfulness. Additionally, the module underscores the significance of the facilitator's presence, highlighting how it can be enhanced through personal mindfulness practices. This approach is designed to enrich the therapeutic process in psychedelic-assisted treatments.

This course segment highlights the Body-aware domain, focusing on the somatic experiences that participants may encounter during and after psychedelic medicine sessions, which can play a crucial role in positive treatment outcomes. Manuela Mischke-Reeds, LMFT, instructs facilitators on techniques for grounding and resourcing both participants and themselves, aiming to optimally support embodied healing events during treatment. Additionally, she offers audio recordings of exemplary practices designed to foster embodied awareness and grounding, providing practical tools for facilitators to enhance their therapeutic approach in psychedelic-assisted therapy.

This course section covers the Affective-cognitive domain within the EMBARK model, focusing on how participants interact with their emotional states and core beliefs during treatment. It highlights the potential of psychedelic medicines to unlock feeling states beyond those accessible in daily life, creating opportunities for clinical improvement. Dr. Adele Lafrance leads this module, providing insights on how to guide participants through their emotions. The goal is to transform maladaptive emotional responses and develop a more adaptive approach to handling emotions. This approach is crucial for maximizing the therapeutic benefits of psychedelic-assisted therapy.

This part of the course explores the Relational domain, which encompasses various changes that might occur in participants' relationships during a psychedelic medicine session, particularly concerning their interaction with the therapist. Dr. Jeffrey Guss leads this module, offering facilitators insights on how to navigate these altered relational dynamics in a sensitive and responsive manner. His presentation includes real-world examples from his experience in previous clinical trials, illustrating how the relationship between participants, the therapist, and the psychedelic medicine itself can become a significant aspect of the treatment process.

In this final course section, the focus is on the "Keeping momentum" domain within the EMBARK model, emphasizing the importance of sustaining and reinforcing the ongoing changes initiated by Psychedelic-assisted Psychotherapy (PAP). Dr. Bill Brennan addresses the various forms post-treatment changes can take for different participants. He also discusses strategies for preparing participants to embrace and drive these changes throughout all phases of treatment. This approach is aimed at helping participants look beyond the end of the treatment from the very beginning, ensuring a lasting impact and continuous growth post-therapy.