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Psychedelic-assisted therapy training

Guest Editors

Terence H. W. Ching, PhD, Yale School of Medicine, USA
Joseph La Torre, PhD, MTS, University of Washington, USA

BMC Medical Education called for submissions to its Collection on Psychedelic-assisted therapy training. This Collection sought to gather cutting-edge research on the development and implementation of therapist training programs for psychedelic-assisted therapy, addressing the clinical, ethical, and practical considerations involved in this emerging field. We welcomed submissions that explore the integration of psychedelic therapy into mental health care, the development of educational initiatives, and the ethical considerations in therapist training for psychedelic-assisted therapy. Submissions that explicitly integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)-related topics were especially welcomed.



New Content ItemThis Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities.

Meet the Guest Editors

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Terence H. W. Ching, PhD, Yale School of Medicine, USA

Dr Terence Ching (he/him) is a licensed clinical psychologist and Associate Research Scientist in the Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine. Terence co-leads the development and conduct of psilocybin clinical trials for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) as part of the Yale OCD Research Clinic, Emerging and Novel Applications for Consciousness-Altering Therapeutics (ENACT) Lab, and the Yale Program for Psychedelic Science. Dr Ching received his PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Connecticut. He has interests and expertise in: (1) fear- and trauma-based disorders; (2) exposure-based, integrative cognitive-behavior therapies; (3) culturally attuned care; and (4) therapeutic applications of psychedelics.

Joseph La Torre, PhD, MTS, University of Washington, USA

Dr Joseph La Torre is a research psychologist specializing in psychedelic clinical trials and assessing efficacy and safety of novel psychedelic protocols for understudied indications. His research focuses on highly vulnerable populations with severe trauma, and psychotic conditions. He is Lead Psychologist in the Center for Novel Therapeutics in Addiction Psychiatry, University of Washington Medicine.

About the Collection

BMC Medical Education called for submissions to its Collection on psychedelic-assisted therapy training.

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is a novel approach to psychotherapy, involving the use of medicinal psychedelic drugs in mental health treatment. It has gained attention in recent years as a potential breakthrough for conditions such as treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and addiction. As interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy increases, the need for specialized training for therapists and supporting medical professionals in this emerging field has become increasingly apparent. This Collection aimed to gather research that explores the development, implementation, and evaluation of training programs for health professionals engaging in psychedelic-assisted therapy, addressing the unique clinical, ethical, and practical considerations involved. Submissions that explicitly integrate diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)-related topics were especially welcomed.

By continuing to advance our collective understanding of this field, we hope to ensure the safe and effective integration of psychedelic-assisted therapy into mental health care. Recent advances in this area have included the establishment of educational initiatives and clinical guidelines tailored to the specific requirements of psychedelic-assisted therapy, but due to the unique nature of this approach and the fact that psychedelics were illegal and even considered harmful for over 50 years, many questions still remain unanswered. Additionally, research has highlighted the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and the integration of experiential learning into therapist training programs. Looking ahead, continued research in this area holds the potential for refining therapist training curricula, establishing best practices for supervision and ongoing professional development, and addressing the broader societal and ethical implications of psychedelic therapy. 

This Collection supports and amplifies research related to SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities, and welcomes submissions on the current developments in standardized competencies and accreditation processes for therapists and health professionals involved in psychedelic-assisted therapy.

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  1. As clinical trials for psychedelics move into phase III in the USA, Europe must address its lag in integrating professional education around psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) and supporting psychedelic drug r...

    Authors: Sergio R. Perez Rosal, Joseph T. La Torre, Susanne Birnkammer, Olga Chernoloz, Monnica T. Williams and Sonya C. Faber
    Citation: BMC Medical Education 2024 24:1202
    Content type: Review Published on:

Submission Guidelines

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This Collection welcomes submission of original Research Articles. Should you wish to submit a different article type, please read our submission guidelines to confirm that type is accepted by the journal. Articles for this Collection should be submitted via our submission system, Snapp. During the submission process you will be asked whether you are submitting to a Collection; please select "Psychedelic-assisted therapy training" from the dropdown menu.

Articles will undergo the journal’s standard peer-review process and are subject to all of the journal’s standard policies. Articles will be added to the Collection as they are published.

The Editors have no competing interests with the submissions which they handle through the peer review process. The peer review of any submissions for which the Editors have competing interests is handled by another Editorial Board Member who has no competing interests.