Overview
The Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) rescheduled MDMA and psilocybin as Schedule 8 Controlled Medicines from 1 July 2023 following increasing emerging evidence that MDMA-assisted psychotherapy and psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy are effective at treating PTSD and Major Depressive Disorder, respectively (Bright & Williams,2018; Bright et al., 2017; Kisely et al., 2023; Strauss et al., 2016; Thal et al., 2021). In doing so, Australia has become the first country in the world to recognise these drugs as medicines. Training has been identified as a key part of safely translating these new treatments from research to the community (Williams et al., 2021).
Two Phase 3 Randomised Controlled Trials have examined MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD. Following treatment, between 67% and 71% of participants assigned to the MDMA condition no longer met the criteria for PTSD, compared with 32% of participants assigned to the placebo condition (Mitchell et al., 2021; Mitchell et al., 2023). These and other studies have used the MAPS MDMA-assisted Psychotherapy Manual (Mithoefer, 2017).
Processes required in developing new therapist skills include acquiring theoretical knowledge (declarative information), learning procedural skills, and engaging in reflective practice. PIA’s Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Essential Skills program addresses all three processes. Although theoretical/didactic knowledge will be acquired through pre-course online learning (and a limited amount of didactic content is also present within the in-person workshop), the primary focus of this program is skills training, acquired through a mix of pairs and group role-plays, demonstration, self-experiential learning, and reflective practice (Bennett-Levy, 2006).
The in-person workshop aims to enable participants to take their first steps as a psychedelic-assisted therapist; with clinical supervision and a strong self-reflective practice, alongside an experienced and legally qualified co-therapist.
Practicing therapy in a clinical setting differs from research environments and this workshop dedicates attention to adjunctive therapy both before and after the psychedelic experience, ensuring seamless integration into existing practice and aims to equip participants with the skills needed to work with MDMA and psilocybin in clinical settings.
Program
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eLearning: psychedelic research, preparation risk and safety, the psychedelic experience, psychedelic therapy and integration, challenging experiences, and legal and ethical considerations.
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Intensive 5-day in-person workshop: working with psychedelic medicines, practical management, setting up the clinical space, therapist skills, preparation and protocol, role-plays, experiential sessions, feedback and reflections, management of dosing sessions, clinical sessions and post-session guidelines, management of integration sessions, integration tools, and future sessions.
Target audience & minimum eligibility requirements
This training is targeted towards experienced and appropriately qualified mental health professionals (psychologists, psychotherapists, psychiatrists) who wish to complete additional psychotherapy training in psychedelic assisted therapy.
Prospective trainees must hold current, full, and unconditional registration with the relevant regulatory professional body (AHPRA, PACFA) and be experienced therapists in their specific profession with a minimum of 3 years providing psychotherapy. Only professionals with trauma-informed backgrounds and those who possess foundational knowledge of psychedelic substances and their effects will be accepted into this workshop.
Psychedelic assisted therapy may involve clients re-experiencing traumatic material during the sessions, clinicians doing this work need to be trauma-informed. Therapists should be able to manage decompensation which may occur, and to understand this in the context of the client’s history and presenting difficulties. Part of this training covers the use of therapeutic touch and safety issues, which are particularly relevant for clients who have experienced physical or sexual abuse. Working with co-therapists, ongoing supervision and self-care is emphasised throughout the training.
Expression of interest/application
Interested participants must complete an application Expression of Interest. A $200 AUD(refundable) deposit is payable at the time of submission. Once an applicant is deemed to meet the minimum requirements for this training, an interview will be scheduled with the lead trainer to ascertain suitability and if accepted into the program, payment of the balance of funds is required to secure placement.
Level of learning
Intermediate/Advanced. This activity is targeted to those with some previous and/or significant expertise on the topic.
Duration of access
Participants will have access to the eLearning material indefinitely.
APS CPD-Approved
This activity has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality. Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of part 1 (eLearning) training component, participants should be able to:
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name the main categories of psychedelic substances,
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identify key events and figures of psychedelic history in western civilization,
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name the main research areas of the 50’s and 60's,
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summarise the main research findings of contemporary research,
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describe Grof's model of the psyche and use it to assist in understanding a participant’s psychedelic experience,
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explain the key components and dimensions of altered states of consciousness induced by psychedelics,
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describe the fundamental principles and methodologies that underlie psychedelic therapy, and
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evaluate the potential benefits and risks associated with psychedelic therapy.
Upon completion of part 2 (in-person workshop) training component, participants should be able to:
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understand inclusion/exclusion criteria for the treatment,
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select, administer and evaluate appropriate baseline and outcome assessments,
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manage communication and collaboration with wider treatment professionals,
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set up and manage the treatment environment,
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demonstrate an understanding of how to conduct preparation of the participant for the dosing session,
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thoroughly understand safety concerns. They will be able to set up and implement safety protocols,
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demonstrate knowledge of the principles of integration, conduct integration sessions, and be able to help participants with application of integration strategies, and
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have a thorough understanding of ethical principles in conducting this therapy.
Presenter(s)
Renee Harvey; Dr Stephen Bright; A/Professor Petra Skeffington; Diego Pinzon
About the presenter(s)
Renee Harvey
A highly experienced clinical psychologist who relocated from the UK to Australia to develop training in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP). She has many years of experience as a lecturer, trainer, clinician, and service developer within the mental health field. Her ideas on PAP training are featured in a recently published book chapter (Harvey, 2021) and in various talks and podcasts.
Prior to relocation, Renee was an Honorary Research Fellow and assistant guide in the Imperial College London trial researching psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression. She also facilitated the development of psychedelic interest groups and established and ran a psychedelic Integration Circle in Brighton.
Renee has worked as an assistant therapist on the psilocybin trials at St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, aimed at the alleviation of depression and anxiety associated with life-threatening illness. She is also on the Clinical Advisory Board of Reset Mind Sciences, providing therapist training for their psychedelic research program. She also has a private practice in Melbourne with an emphasis on providing psychedelic integration. Renee is also currently providing intensive clinical training in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for other research teams across Australia, as well as providing supervision to trial therapists and contributing to developing research protocols. She also provides introductory courses in collaboration with Psychedelics Today.
Dr Stephen Bright
Dr Bright has worked as a psychologist within the Mental Health & AOD field for the past 15 years. Currently a Senior Lecturer of Addiction at Edith Cowan University, Stephen is a strong advocate of harm reduction and an evidence-based approach to AOD legislation. He is also interested in the role of certain substances (entheogens) to facilitate spiritual experiences and their role in psychotherapy. He is the principal investigator and therapist on a trial investigating MDMA-Assisted Therapy for treatment-resistant PTSD, which has been treating participants since August 2022, and is a MAPS-accredited MDMA-Assisted Therapist.
Stephen is also on the therapy team for a trial investigating the use of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for treatment-resistant depression.
Associate Professor Petra Skeffington
A/Prof Skeffington is a Clinical Psychologist in private practice and an academic at Murdoch University in Boorloo Perth. Her clinical and research expertise is in post-trauma responses, the aetiology of PTSD, and creative approaches to healing from trauma. Petra is a co-therapist in the Perth-based MDMA-Assisted therapy for treatment-resistant PTSD trial, and on the therapy team for a trial investigating the use of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for treatment-resistant depression.
In early 2023 Petra became one of the first Australians to become a MAPS-accredited MDMA-Assisted Therapist.
Diego Pinzon
Diego Pinzon Rubiano M.A.
Originating from Colombia and now deeply ingrained in the Australian psychedelic scene, Diego brings an international perspective and deep commitment to the field of psychedelic therapy.
After moving to Australia in 2008, his dedication led him to earn a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Canberra, followed by a Masters in Transpersonal Psychology from Sofia University in California.
Diego has navigated the psychedelic landscape through significant roles in the non-profit sector and the esteemed Psychae Institute. His contributions to Australia's ground breaking psilocybin trial for end-of-life depression and anxiety at St. Vincent’s Melbourne, underline his commitment to this transformative field.
Always eager to delve deeper into the world of psychedelic education, Diego was among the first in Australia to complete the 12-month training program, Vital, from Psychedelics Today. Now, he harnesses his expertise as an instructor and coordinator for the program, guiding and inspiring the next generation of psychedelic practitioners. His keen interest in Somatic and Transpersonal approaches to psychotherapy embodies his belief in a comprehensive approach to mental health.
Notes
This program does not purport to teach/train participants to become a psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist, but provides participants with the research, theories, and techniques to assist in understanding the psychedelic experience and other exceptional experiences.