Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy for Adult Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Medical Model Consideration
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Authors
McKenzie , Kathryn
Issue Date
2023-09-22
Type
Capstone
Language
en
Keywords
psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) , treatment-resistant depression (TRD) , medical model of psychedelic psychotherapy , extra-pharmacological principles , psychotherapy
Alternative Title
Abstract
This capstone explores the strengths and challenges of the literature and recent clinical trials regarding psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) for treatment resistant depression (TRD). The nature of TRD requires ethical consideration. The medical model of psychedelic psychotherapy is criticized for its lack of cultural diversity and risks of exposure. The importance of extra-pharmacological principles and increased informed consent lend support to the notion that psychedelic psychotherapy may be a viable psychotherapeutic intervention to consider for TRD. Alberta was the first province in Canada to regulate psychedelic psychotherapy (Government of Canada, 2023). Therefore, policy, regulations, and implications for clinical practice and guidelines for professional training within Alberta will be discussed in this capstone, along with considerations for fundamental next steps in psychedelic research.