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Psychedelic Things

“The mind is like a parachute; it works best when it’s open.” Frank Zappa

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is gaining attention in both research and mainstream media, often outpacing the availability of reliable, well-informed information and resources.

While I do not provide psychedelic-assisted therapy or trip-sitting, I have experience supporting individuals following ketamine treatments in clinical settings and continue to engage in professional training in this area. I am open to providing integration support for those participating in legal psychedelic therapies, with a focus on psychological processing and meaning-making after the experience.

“Integration is the slow unfolding of meaning.”
— Anonymous client quoted in Psychedelic Psychotherapy (2022)

You can read more about my creative integration work experiences in this blog post click on the image.

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.

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.”
— Charles Lief
Colouful collage artwork by Michelle Saleeba. Photo has a filter applied to suit style of page.

Links

This resource list is offered to encourage informed, curious, and cautious engagement with a complex and evolving field.

Psilocybin for MDD efficacy study

Podcast - New Horizons in health: Bringing veterans health care into the future 

MDMA assisted therapy - PTSD

Imperial College London

Johns Hopkins Centre for psychedelic and consciousness research

Forbes Article  Female veterans, trauma, digital psychedelics

MAPS

PTSD UK position paper on psychedelic-assisted therapy and its clinical implications

Psychedelic Women & Science

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.