Psychedelics
“The mind is like a parachute; it works best when it’s open.” Frank Zappa
Psychedelic-assisted therapy is receiving growing attention in research and media. Although ketamine is not a classic psychedelic (it is a dissociative anaesthetic), it is frequently discussed in the same broader context of emerging mental-health treatments that involve altered states of consciousness.
I do not provide psychedelic substances, psychedelic-assisted therapy, or trip-sitting. I have clinical experience supporting individuals after medically administered ketamine sessions and continue to pursue advanced training in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and psychedelic integration. I am available to offer integration support for clients who are participating in legal ketamine-assisted treatments or legal psychedelic-assisted therapies (e.g., MDMA or psilocybin where permitted), with an emphasis on psychological processing and meaning-making following the medicine experience.
“Integration is the slow unfolding of meaning.”
You can read more about my creative integration work experiences in these blog posts - click on the images.
Summarising the key differences between Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy and Psychedelic Integration Therapy.
As interest in psychedelics grows, so too does the need for clarity. Two terms often used in this space Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (PAT) and Psychedelic Integration Therapy (PIT) may sound similar but refer to very different roles in the therapeutic process.
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (PAT) involves the legal administration of a psychedelic substance, such as psilocybin, ketamine or MDMA, within a clinical or research setting, overseen by qualified professionals.
PAT is highly regulated in Australia, with access currently restricted to specific psychiatrists under the TGA’s Authorised Prescriber scheme or in approved clinical trials.
The therapy includes preparation, supervised dosing sessions, and follow-up care.
The psychedelic substance is central to the intervention.
Psychedelic Integration Therapy (PIT) is non-drug therapy provided before or after someone’s psychedelic experience, whether that experience occurred legally (e.g., overseas retreat or trial) or independently.
PIT focuses on helping people process insights, regulate emotions, and apply meaning from their experience in everyday life.
Integration might include psychological frameworks (e.g., ACT, CBT), creative processing (e.g., art therapy), or nervous system support.
No substances are administered or encouraged in PIT it's about the person, not the drug.
TL;DR: What’s the difference between PAT and PIT?
PAT (Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy) = legal use of psychedelics (e.g., psilocybin, ketamine, MDMA) in tightly controlled clinical or research settings.
PIT (Psychedelic Integration Therapy) = therapy that helps people make sense of psychedelic experiences, no substances involved.
PAT is limited and highly regulated in Australia; PIT is more widely accessible.
PIT focuses on meaning-making, emotional processing, and psychological support after (or before) a psychedelic experience.
Recent announcements from the Australian Government Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) mark an important milestone in mental health care. DVA will now fund MDMA (empathogen or atypical psychedelic) treatment for eligible veterans living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psilocybin (psychedelic) for treatment resistant depression (TRD). These treatments will occur only within regulated clinical settings, led by authorised psychiatrists under the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s framework.
For many in the veteran community, this change brings both hope and the need for careful preparation. Psychedelic-assisted therapy is not a quick fix; it’s a complex therapeutic process that works best when surrounded by the right supports before, during, and after the medicine sessions.
That’s where preparation and integration come in.
Preparation helps individuals build psychological readiness, understanding what to expect, clarifying intentions, strengthening emotional regulation, and developing trust in the therapeutic process.
Integration is the period after the experience, where insights are reflected on, emotions are processed, and meaning is woven back into everyday life. This is where recovery becomes sustainable.
Individuals are encouraged to ask informed questions and work with clinicians who understand trauma, uphold legal and ethical standards, and provide structured preparation and integration support.
(For general information on the DVA announcement, see the Department of Veterans’ Affairs page on Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy.)
Psychedelic Therapy Developments for Veterans
Integration is the bridge between experience and embodiment.
Ingmar Gorman, PhD, Clinical psychologist
This discussion covers MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, clinical trials, and the importance of culturally informed frameworks, offering a balanced take on how psychedelic-assisted treatment for PTSD is evolving.
“We are at the intersection of crisis, science, and ancient wisdom. The choices we make now will determine whether psychedelics become tools for healing, or just another missed opportunity.”
A note on terminology
Although the term “psychedelic-assisted therapy” is often used broadly in the media, it helps to understand the distinctions between substances. Classic psychedelics (such as psilocybin, LSD, DMT, and mescaline) primarily work by activating serotonin receptors and typically produce profound alterations in perception, cognition, and emotion.
MDMA, by contrast, is an entactogen/empathogen; it releases large amounts of serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, fostering feelings of emotional openness and connection rather than classic psychedelic effects.
Ketamine is a dissociative anaesthetic that acts primarily on glutamate receptors and is mechanistically distinct from both of the above. All three are being researched for mental-health applications, but they belong to different pharmacological classes and offer different therapeutic experiences.
When I refer to “psychedelic integration,” I include support for any of these legally accessed medicines (classic psychedelics, MDMA, or ketamine),
Links
This resource list is offered to encourage informed, curious, and cautious engagement with a complex and evolving field.
BBC Audio | The Trip - podcast 10 episodes
Movie - Trip of Compassion
Australian Psychedelic Society
AUS psychedelic Society - you tube
Dr Stephen Bright, ECU
Echo - Psychedelic Assisted Therapy
Philosophy for Life - Jules Evans
Psilocybin for MDD efficacy study
Podcast - New Horizons in health: Bringing veterans health care into the future
Johns Hopkins Centre for psychedelic and consciousness research
Forbes Article Female veterans, trauma, digital psychedelics
PTSD UK position paper on psychedelic-assisted therapy and its clinical implications
This foundational session provides an overview of the history, clinical context, and current research behind psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) for PTSD. Dr. Leslie Morland will introduce novel treatment models that combine MDMA with evidence-based therapies like CBT. Attendees were invited to submit questions during the webinar to be discussed by the panel in Part 2.
Part 2 of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, Voices from the Front Lines, an illuminating panel discussion featuring clinicians and researchers working directly in the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy. This session dives into real-world experiences, ethical considerations, training paths, and the transformative potential of psychedelic treatments in trauma healing and mental health care.
Disclaimer:
The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional clinical advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making decisions about treatment or medication.
Psychedelic-assisted therapies remain an emerging field of research and are not currently approved for widespread clinical use in Australia outside of authorised trials or prescriber programs. The content shared here, including any referenced talks or videos, is intended to inform, not to promote self-experimentation or unauthorised use.
Some featured talks (e.g. TEDx) represent independently organised perspectives and should not be interpreted as clinical recommendations.