Psychedelic experience improves therapists’ ability to deliver ketamine therapy

published on September 25, 2024 by David Bidwell in UBC Okanagan News

Therapists report that their personal experience with psychedelics helps them build stronger connections with patients and a heightened sense of competence in delivering ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT), according to a new study from UBC Okanagan.

The research, led by Dr. Elena Argento, Tashia Petker and Dr. Zach Walsh from UBCO’s Department of Psychology in the Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, found that first-hand experience could enhance therapeutic outcomes and improve patient safety.

“Therapists consistently noted that their own experiences with psychedelics helped them build trust with their clients and gave them a deeper understanding of the patient’s journey through therapy,” says Dr. Argento, a postdoctoral researcher and lead author.

“They expressed a strong desire for formal experiential training to be included in KAT programs to improve both therapist confidence and patient safety.”

The research, published recently in PLOS ONE, found that experiential learning could bridge training gaps and enhance therapeutic outcomes in this emerging form of psychedelic-assisted therapy…