Medicine Assisted Therapy & Integration Support
Psychedelic experiences can sometimes leave people with a great deal to think about. An experience may feel meaningful, confusing, emotionally difficult, or some combination of these.
Some people seek psychological support following an experience that occurred within regulated clinical treatment or approved research. Others seek support following their own use of psychedelic substances outside a clinical setting.
Whatever the circumstances in which a previous experience occurred, people should be able to seek psychological care without fear of judgement.
Integration and psychological support
Integration is a term commonly used to describe psychological support following a psychedelic or altered-state experience.
Sometimes people simply want a confidential space to talk about what happened. Others may be trying to understand emotions, memories, thoughts or questions that arose during an experience. Some people seek help because an experience was frightening or confusing, or because difficulties have continued after the immediate effects of the substance have ended.
Psychological support can provide space to explore these experiences within the broader context of your mental health, relationships, history and everyday life.
Therapy with a Harm Minimisation approach
People sometimes worry that they will be judged or refused psychological support because they have chosen to use an illicit substance. A harm-minimisation approach recognises that people should be able to access healthcare regardless of where they are currently at with substance use.
If you have independently decided to use psychedelic substances outside a clinical setting, psychological support and integration can focus on supporting your mental health and wellbeing.
If you have had a difficult psychedelic experience, would like support to understand the impact of an experience, are continuing to experience anxiety, distress, changes in mood or perception, intrusive memories or other psychological difficulties, you can seek psychological or medical support. You do not need to manage these experiences alone simply because substance use was involved.
This service does not include recommending psychedelic use, advising which psychedelic substance or dose to take, sourcing substances, facilitating or supervising non-clinical psychedelic use, or referring people to underground or unregulated psychedelic services in Australia or overseas.
My professional experience
I have undertaken professional training and have clinical and research experience as a psychologist within regulated psychedelic-assisted therapy settings.
My clinical work involving psychedelic-assisted therapy occurs only within appropriately regulated treatment settings and in collaboration with specialist psychiatrists holding the relevant Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Authorised Prescriber authority. I have also worked as a therapist within approved psychedelic clinical research.
This information It is not intended to advertise, recommend or promote psychedelic-assisted therapy or the use, prescription, supply or availability of psychedelic substances.
Clinical research
Psychedelic substances continue to be investigated through approved clinical research in Australia and around the world.
Clinical trials operate independently and have their own eligibility criteria, consent procedures, potential risks and research protocols. Registration of a clinical trial does not mean that the treatment being investigated has been established as safe or effective.
People wanting factual information about registered Australian trials can independently search the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ANZCTR) through the Australian Clinical Trials website.
The AMAPP Psychedelic Research Hub also provides information about published research and registered Australian and international psychedelic clinical trials.
These resources are provided for general research information only and are not recommendations to participate in a clinical trial or use psychedelic substances.
Information for veterans
The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) provides independent information for veterans about its current arrangements relating to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, including eligibility and funding requirements.
Veterans seeking information about these arrangements should refer directly to DVA for current requirements.
Veterans and their families seeking mental health support can also access Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling, which provides free and confidential support.
Important information
Psychedelic substances are regulated under Australian Commonwealth and state or territory laws. There are limited circumstances in which particular substances may be used within appropriately authorised healthcare or approved clinical research.
See
TGA – Information for consumers about MDMA and psilocybine: Access MDMA or psilocybine – consumers
TGA – MDMA and psilocybine information hub: MDMA and psilocybine hub
TGA – Access pathways: Access pathways for MDMA and psilocybine
Information on this page is provided for general education, psychological support and harm-minimisation purposes. It does not recommend, encourage or promote psychedelic substance use or psychedelic-assisted therapy.
I do not recommend, facilitate or provide referrals for unlawful psychedelic substance use or unregulated psychedelic services in Australia or overseas. Psychological support following previous substance use does not constitute endorsement of that substance use.