Newsletter
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In an era of heightened divisions, stress, and uncertainty, we must remember that quality mental health care is important for everyone. Yet, what’s appropriate for one person in distress might not be appropriate for another, and as the field of psychedelic therapy expands, those who drive it forward face a critical challenge: ensuring our practices are inclusive and culturally responsive.
Psychedelic therapy offers a unique opportunity to connect with our shared humanity and may foster empathy and understanding across diverse social identities—much needed in today’s world. However, it isn’t a given that one will become more empathic and tolerant as a result of taking psychedelics, nor is it to be assumed that psychedelics are the only way to develop such qualities.
Even where psychedelics are involved, they don’t replace the real work of cultivating compassion and developing cultural humility that remains to be borne out in daily life.
In psychedelic therapy—where altered states of consciousness amplify vulnerability and relational dynamics—therapists who inadvertently project their biases risk retraumatizing clients during moments of heightened vulnerability.
By embracing cultural humility, therapists confront their biases, embrace discomfort as a catalyst for growth, and ensure a more inclusive and culturally sensitive practice. Learn more about the power of cultural humility in psychedelic therapy in our upcoming webinar.
In the meantime, here are a few strategies you can implement to help develop cultural humility:
Engage in regular self-reflection to identify biases and assumptions.
Commit to ongoing education about historical and systemic inequities.
Request and absorb feedback from peers, supervisors, and clients.
Practice compassion-cultivating techniques such as meditation, prayer, gratitude journals, etc.
Take responsibility for harm caused—even unintentionally—and follow up thoughtfully.
Ultimately, culturally responsive psychedelic therapy is not just about healing individuals—it’s about healing communities.
At Fluence, we are proud of our diverse student body, which spans cultures, professions, and perspectives from around the globe. This richness reflects our commitment to fostering culturally responsive care and ensuring that psychedelic therapy is accessible to everyone who needs it.
As we grow our programming to continue to meet the worldwide need for training and education in psychedelic therapy, the spirit of cultural humility remains at the core of our work.
Thanks,
Elizabeth Nielson, Fluence Co-Founder
Joseph McCowan, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist who, as part of the MAPS Diversity Working Group, has supported efforts to increase the diversity of therapists and participants in the MAPS clinical trials.
Joseph holds a psychology degree from UC Santa Barbara and a doctorate in clinical psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. He practices at the California Center for Psychedelic Therapy and is trained in multiple psychedelic therapy approaches.
He is passionate about expanding psychedelic education in communities of color and improving mental health outcomes for underserved populations.
Joseph is the Fluence expert trainer for the Trauma-Informed Psychedelic Therapy On-Demand Course and is the special guest on this month's webinar. Read on for more about this exciting event!
Join Dr. Joseph McCowan and Dr. Lauren Okano for a groundbreaking webinar that explores culturally responsive psychedelic therapy and provides essential guidance for meaningful and responsible practice. Drawing from his clinical and lived experiences, Dr. McCowan will share key insights into the past, present, and future of psychedelic therapy as it relates to racial and intergenerational trauma.Discover how social location and racial and intergenerational trauma present unique considerations to psychotherapeutic processes.Learn the importance of cultural humility during non-ordinary states of consciousness. Gain practical tools and holistic insights to foster both individual and collective healing.Following the conversation, we’ll open the floor to Q&A so you can speak directly with Joseph and Lauren.
Date: April 23rd, 2025
Time: 1 PM - 2 PM ET
Join our Open House event, where Jayne Gumpel & Daejah Fontain will showcase our upcoming courses and explain how you can take the next steps in your psychedelic therapy journey. Learn what the entry course offers practitioners and how it can lead to professional certificates in Psilocybin Facilitation, Ketamine-assisted Psychotherapy and Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration.
Date: April 15th, 2025
Time: 2 PM - 3 PM ET
Psilocybin Facilitation
May 5 - Sep 27, 2025
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
May 5 - Aug 18, 2025
Psychedelic Harm Reduction and Integration Therapy
May 5 - Dec 8, 2025
Trauma-Informed Psychedelic Therapy
Learn about the physical manifestations of trauma, the role of intergenerational trauma, and the role of trauma from oppression, and how each of these relate to the psychedelic-assisted therapy process.
Bad trips and GuiltWhy difficult feelings during psychedelic use might be a good thing. Find out what a recent study in the Journal of Psychoactive Drugs has revealed about this less-discussed aspect of psychedelic experiences.
Treatment-Resistant DepressionBeckley Psytech announced positive initial data from its Phase IIa study of the novel 5-MeO-DMT formulation BPL-003. The study investigated the safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of BPL-003 alongside psychological support.
Serotonergic Psychedelics and Personality DisordersResearch suggests psychedelic therapy has both potential benefits and unique risks for personality disorders, with psychedelics appearing to affect pathological personality traits and related constructs.
