Can psychedelics enhance group psychotherapy? A discussion on the therapeutic factors

Summary & key facts

The authors looked at studies and brain research to ask whether giving psychedelic drugs inside group therapy could help people more than individual psychedelic therapy. They used a well-known list of 11 things that make group therapy work as a map for their ideas. The paper does not report new trial results. Instead, it suggests that group psychedelic therapy may help people feel more connected, learn better about their relationships, and practise kinder ways of behaving. It also warns about problems like the need for stricter session rules and the risk that some people become less open, and it says skilled therapist training and more research are needed.

Key facts:

• Psychedelic-assisted group psychotherapy has been studied much less than individual psychedelic therapy, so evidence about it is limited.
• The authors reviewed existing clinical studies and brain research and used Irvin Yalom’s 11 therapeutic factors—ideas about what makes group therapy work—as their framework.
• They suggest that combining psychedelics with group therapy might increase feelings of connection between group members and help people learn about their interpersonal habits.
• The paper says group sessions could offer real chances to practise new, healthier ways of relating to others, which could encourage more prosocial or cooperative behaviour.
• The authors also point out risks: group formats may require a stricter structure, and some patients could become less open in a group setting; they say careful therapist training could help reduce these problems.
• This article is a discussion and framework. It does not provide new clinical trial data and calls for more research on how safe and effective this approach really is.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Despite the growth of psychedelic research, psychedelic-assisted group psychotherapy (PAGP) has received little attention in comparison to individual psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy models. METHODS: In this article, we aim to discuss the therapeutic potential of PAGP, as well as outline existing models and the challenges of this approach. Using Irvin Yalom's 11 therapeutic factors of group therapy as a basic framework, we analyse current literature from clinical studies and neurobiological research relative to the topic of PAGP. RESULTS: We argue that combining psychedelic substances and group psychotherapy may prove beneficial for increasing group connectedness and interpersonal learning, potentially enhancing prosocial behaviour with direct opportunities to practice newly acquired knowledge about previously maladaptive behavioural patterns. Challenges regarding this approach include a more rigid therapy structure and potential loss of openness from patients, which may be ameliorated by adequate therapeutic training. CONCLUSION: We hope for this article to support clinical research on PAGP by presenting a therapeutic framework and outlining its mechanisms and challenges.

Topics

Forensic Toxicology and Drug Analysis Pain Management and Placebo Effect Psychedelics and Drug Studies

Categories

Clinical Psychology Psychology Social Sciences

Tags

Clinical psychology Group psychotherapy Interpersonal communication Openness to experience Psychology Psychotherapist Social connectedness Social psychology

Substances

Ketamine LSD MDMA Psilocybin

Conditions & symptoms

Addiction Anxiety Depression PTSD Anxiety or worry Feeling disconnected from others Sadness or low mood