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. 2021 Mar 15:12:645246.
doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.645246. eCollection 2021.

Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration: A Transtheoretical Model for Clinical Practice

Ingmar Gorman  1   2   3   4 , Elizabeth M Nielson  1   2   3 , Aja Molinar  5 , Ksenia Cassidy  5   6 , Jonathan Sabbagh  4   5
Affiliations

Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration: A Transtheoretical Model for Clinical Practice

Ingmar Gorman et al. Front Psychol. .

Abstract

Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration (PHRI) is a transtheoretical and transdiagnostic clinical approach to working with patients who are using or considering using psychedelics in any context. The ongoing discussion of psychedelics in academic research and mainstream media, coupled with recent law enforcement deprioritization of psychedelics and compassionate use approvals for psychedelic-assisted therapy, make this model exceedingly timely. Given the prevalence of psychedelic use, the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, and the unique cultural and historical context in which psychedelics are placed, it is important that mental health providers have an understanding of the unique motivations, experiences, and needs of people who use them. PHRI incorporates elements of harm reduction psychotherapy and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, and can be applied in both brief and ongoing psychotherapy interactions. PHRI represents a shift away from assessment limited to untoward outcomes of psychedelic use and abstinence-based addiction treatment paradigms and toward a stance of compassionate, destigmatizing acceptance of patients' choices. Considerations for assessment, preparation, and working with difficult experiences are presented.

Keywords: MDMA; PHRI; harm reduction; integration; preparation; psilocybin; psychedelics; psychotherapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

IG and EN are co-founders of Fluence. IG has received consulting compensation from MAPS Public Benefit Corporation, is an advisor to Journey Clinical, Inc. and Horizons Media, Inc. EN has received consulting compensation from MAPS Public Benefit Corporation, COMPASS Pathways, Ltd. research funding from Heffter Research Institute and Riverstyx Foundation, and is an advisor to Sansero Life Sciences and the Psychedelic Medicine Association. JS is a Founder of Journey Clinical, Inc. The remaining authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

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