Department of Family Therapy Dissertations and Applied Clinical Projects
Date of Award
2024
Document Type
Dissertation - NSU Access Only
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Advisor
Shazia Akhtarullah
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapy is experiencing a resurgence in clinical research and practice, particularly as a promising treatment for complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). I designed this dissertation to explore clinicians’ perspectives on psychedelic-assisted therapy and the integration of psychedelic experiences into traditional therapeutic practices using a constructivist grounded theory approach. I conducted semi-structured interviews with licensed clinicians who have experience with psychedelics, and I analyzed the data through iterative coding. This led to the emergence of key themes and the development of a substantive theory illuminating the essence, process, and practice of psychedelic integration as it is used with psychedelic-assisted therapy for the treatment of CPTSD. The findings reveal a complex landscape where clinicians balance enthusiasm with caution about ethical and safety concerns. The resulting theory suggests that successful psychedelic integration (a) supports the client in connecting with their inner healing intelligence, leading them to experience compassion and forgiveness; (b) honors the client’s uniqueness; and (c) requires readiness of both the client and the clinician. These insights contribute to the research of psychedelic-assisted therapy as well as offer clinical implications. The future is promising but requires the development of evidence-based practices, ongoing training and supervision for clinicians, clear ethical guidelines, and implementation of industry standards.
NSUWorks Citation
Jennifer Cahill. 2024. My Journey into the Culture of Autism: Creating a Systemic Map Through the Spectrum. Doctoral dissertation. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, . (98)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/shss_dft_etd/98.