Psychoanalyst attitudes towards psychedelic-assisted therapy
Abstract
Background Numerous clinical trials have supported psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) as a treatment for psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, and substance use. While empirical evidence indicates PAT’s benefits, the perspectives of mental health practitioners on this topic remain unclear.Methods This quantitative study attempted to capture psychoanalyst practitioners’ attitudes toward PAT. A sample of 130 graduate-level trained psychoanalysts in at least part-time clinical practice was recruited to participate in an online survey.Results The study found that psychoanalysts were cautiously supportive of PAT, open to their clients engaging in PAT, and optimistic about PAT’s potential in treating mental disorders. Additionally, they reported that PAT would be ineffective in treating substance use disorders (SUDs). Lastly, participants who reported a history of psychedelic use were significantly more likely to have greater positive attitudes toward PAT than those who had not.Conclusion Results indicate the potential for misinformation about psychedelics and a lingering cultural stigma regarding the utility of psychedelics in the therapeutic environment among psychoanalysts. Therefore, education on the risks, potential benefits, and limitations of the evidence base of psychedelics and their effectiveness across psychiatric disorders appears warranted in the psychoanalytic community.
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There appears to be growing support among psychoanalysts as well as psychiatrists for psychedelic-assisted therapies for their patients.
“Importantly, there appears to be growing support among psychoanalysts as well as psychiatrists for psychedelic-assisted therapies for their patients (113, 114).”
From Psychoanalytically informed MDMA-assisted therapy for pathological narcissism: a novel theoretical approach (2025) · cites this paper as [113]
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“Importantly, there appears to be growing support among psychoanalysts as well as psychiatrists for psychedelic-assisted therapies for their patients (113, 114).”
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- Authors
- Kraiem, E., Diener, M., Guss, J., Mavrides, L., & Saban, S.
- Affiliations
- Long Island University (US)
- New York University (US)
- SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University (US)
- Corresponding author
- Kraiem, Eli
- ORCID
- Diener, Marc
- Venue
- Drugs Education Prevention and Policy
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2024-06-04
- Volume
- 32
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 449-460
- ISSN
- 0968-7637 (ISSN-L)
- 1465-3370
- OpenAlex
- W4399332960
- Cited by
- 4
- References
- 51
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 3
- FWCI
- 2.01
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Drugs Education Prevention and Policy (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychedelics and Drug Studies
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
- Keywords
- psychedelic therapy, psychoanalytic community, substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, psychoanalytic training, practitioner perspectives
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