Trained therapists play a crucial role in psilocybin-assisted therapy, as they provide the necessary support and therapeutic connection during the sessions.
That’s according to a new study published in Journal of Palliative Medicine, conducted by Sunstone Therapies in collaboration with the University of Vermont has shed new light on the role of therapeutic connection in psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT).
The study analyzed audio and video data from a Phase 2 open-label study that focused on the effects of psilocybin therapy on patients with cancer and major depressive disorder.
The research was conducted at the Bill Richards Center for Healing, a facility specifically designed for psychedelic-assisted therapies. The study employed trained human coders to identify observable markers of therapeutic connection during psilocybin administration.
From the 2,074 minutes of video analyzed, the coders recorded 372 moments of therapeutic connection.
Remarkably, 83 per cent of these moments were identified by at least two coders, and 41 per cent were identified by all three. The coders used a combination of audible and visual cues approximately half the time, and exclusively audibly or exclusively visual cues 33per cent and 16 per cent of the time, respectively.
“These findings are a game-changer,” said Manish Agrawal MD, Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of Sunstone Therapies.
“While the focus of psilocybin therapy is often on the drug itself, the support provided by therapists is equally crucial. This study lays the foundation for further research to refine, scale, and implement a robust model for therapeutic support in psychedelic-assisted therapy.”
The study’s results indicate that observing the frequency, distribution, and overlap of cues and qualities used to identify therapeutic connections is feasible. This opens the door for further work into a direct observation coding system of therapist-patient interactions in PAT studies.
Read more: Stella acquires Field Trip’s U.S. assets to enhance its psychedelic therapy offerings
Read more: Optimi Health to supply MDMA for new psychedelic therapy program at Numinus clinics
Implications of these findings are manifold
The findings could revolutionize the training requirements for therapists specializing in psychedelic-assisted therapy. Therapists could be trained to recognize and foster these moments of connection, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of the therapy. Also, the study could pave the way for the development of machine learning algorithms to automate the identification process, making it more efficient and scalable.
Sunstone Therapies –founded by a team of healthcare professionals including oncologists Drs. Manish Agrawal and Paul Thambi– is at the forefront of developing psychedelic therapies. The organization aims to address the emotional and mental health of cancer patients and those suffering from other diseases and disorders.
“As we move forward, these findings will have significant implications for how we deliver psychedelic therapies responsibly and safely,” added Dr. Agrawal. “It’s not just about administering a drug; it’s about creating a therapeutic environment where patients can truly heal.”
