
This 12-week course will focus on the application of psychoanalytic concepts and theory to psychedelic therapy.
Faculty
Dates & Times
EST through March 11th/EDT starting March 12th
Location
Cost
Course Description
This 12-week course will focus on the application of psychoanalytic concepts and theory to psychedelic therapy. Contemporary psychedelic research and theory is bringing a new level of inquiry into such psychoanalytic concepts as narrative identity, defense mechanisms, transitional phenomena, implicit relational knowing, and early attachment. Psychoanalytic theory and practice can shed light on psychedelic therapy concepts such as the inner healer, connection, ego death, spiritual, unitive, and challenging experiences. We will read relevant papers from contemporary writers from both the psychoanalytic and psychedelic fields, with the intention of understanding psychedelic experience and therapy using the psychoanalytic framework. In turn, we will inquire into the ways contemporary psychedelic research and theory may bring about a revision or extension of contemporary psychoanalytic theory. An experiential component of the course integrated with the readings invites us to share our reactions to select pieces of music, art, film, and poetry as states of absorption that enable contact with experiences similar to those facilitated by the use of psychedelic medicines.
A limited number of Diversity Fund scholarships are available, please complete this application, in addition to the course application.
Learning Objectives
At the end of this course, the participant will be able to:
- Analyze prior dynamic concepts of the psyche, consciousness, and the process of psychotherapeutic transformation with DIED.
- Compare and contrast the concept of “connection” as described in the psychedelic-assisted therapy literature with the psychoanalytic concepts of attachment, object-relatedness, and transference.
- Apply the core elements of subjective change identified in psilocybin-assisted therapy for cancer-related existential distress to concepts in psychoanalytic theory and practice.
- Discuss the psychoanalytic perspective on the “reduction in defensiveness” commonly reported as an effect of psychedelic therapy.
- Apply Winnicott’s concept of transitional phenomena to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
- Describe how a transitional space can support the psychedelic-assisted therapist’s approach to working with drug-induced non-ordinary experience.
- Describe how Donnell Stern’s concept of “partners in thought” applies to the psychoanalytic and psychedelic processes.
- Discuss the pros and cons of using eyeshades, music, headphones, and the couch in psychedelic-assisted therapy from a psychoanalytic framework.
- Explain how “implicit relational knowing” and “moments of meeting” may be experienced in psychedelic therapy.
- Describe what is meant by “native healing intelligence” and “inner healer” in contemporary psychedelic therapy.
- Explain how these concepts are utilized in Randomized Clinical Trials using psychedelic-assisted or MDMA-assisted therapy.
- Analyze the components of “flight instructions” commonly used in contemporary psychedelic-assisted therapy with the explicit goals and unconscious effects of these instructions.
- Discuss how these concepts contrast with psychoanalytic approaches to psychedelic therapy.
- Compare ethical guidelines for the use of touch in recent psychedelic-assisted therapy trials to guidelines in psychoanalytic and psychodynamic therapy.
- Describe the many meanings of physical touch and emotional touch.
- Discuss the implications on transference and countertransference from the use of touch.
- Compare shamanic models of psychedelic healing to “flight Instructions.”
Perks
- Registration includes access to our online classroom, course handouts, and private course discussion board. All attendees may opt to be added to our professional community email list of about 1,000 professionals who have completed this (or similar) courses with us.
Other Upcoming Courses

Psychotherapeutic Touch Workshop | Winter 2023

Buddhism & Psychedelic Therapy | Winter 2023

KAP Theory & Methodology | Spring 2023

Foundations of Psychedelic Therapy | Spring 2023

KAP for Couples & Groups: Clinical Consultation Group | Spring 2023

Integration Essentials, Evenings | Spring 2023

Psychedelic Psychopharmacology | Spring 2023

Integration Essentials | Spring 2023

Understanding Ketamine | May 2023

Poetry, Symbols, and Story in Psychedelic Therapy | Spring 2023

Psychedelic Integration: Experiential Practice Retreat | Spring, 2023

KAP Theory & Methodology | Summer 2023

Psychedelic Integration: Experiential Practice Retreat | Fall 2023

FULL – Psychedelic Integration: Premise & Promise Hybrid | February 2023

Psychotherapeutic Touch Workshop | Winter 2023

Buddhism & Psychedelic Therapy | Winter 2023

Psychoanalytic Psychedelic Clinical Consultation Group | Spring 2023

Psychedelic Integration: Premise & Promise Hybrid | March 2023

Foundations of Psychedelic Therapy | Spring 2023

Integration Essentials, Evenings | Spring 2023

Psychedelic Integration: Premise & Promise Hybrid | April 2023

Psychedelic Psychopharmacology | Spring 2023

Psychedelic Integration: Premise & Promise Hybrid | May 2023

Integration Essentials | Spring 2023

Poetry, Symbols, and Story in Psychedelic Therapy | Spring 2023

Psychedelic Integration: Experiential Practice Retreat | Spring, 2023

Psychedelic Integration: Experiential Practice Retreat | Fall 2023

FULL – Psychedelic Integration: Premise & Promise Hybrid | February 2023

Psychotherapeutic Touch Workshop | Winter 2023

Buddhism & Psychedelic Therapy | Winter 2023

Putting Psychedelic Integration into Practice | Webinar

Psychoanalytic Psychedelic Clinical Consultation Group | Spring 2023

Psychedelic Integration: Premise & Promise Hybrid | March 2023

Understanding Ketamine | March 2023

Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy: Part 1 | Cohort 23B

KAP Theory & Methodology | Spring 2023

Foundations of Psychedelic Therapy | Spring 2023

KAP for Couples & Groups: Clinical Consultation Group | Spring 2023

Integration Essentials, Evenings | Spring 2023

Psychedelic Integration: Premise & Promise Hybrid | April 2023

Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy: Part 1 | Cohort 23C

Psychedelic Psychopharmacology | Spring 2023

Psychedelic Integration: Premise & Promise Hybrid | May 2023

Integration Essentials | Spring 2023

Understanding Ketamine | May 2023

Trauma-Informed Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy | Spring 2023

Poetry, Symbols, and Story in Psychedelic Therapy | Spring 2023

Psychedelic Integration: Experiential Practice Retreat | Spring, 2023

KAP Theory & Methodology | Summer 2023
