Welcome to the Australia Psychological Society's Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Interest Group (PAT-IG). We are a community of psychologists, researchers and students with shared interests in the therapeutic applications of classic psychedelics (eg. psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca) and 3,4-Methyl​enedioxy​methamphetamine (MDMA).

The APS psychedelic-assisted therapy interest group aims

1. To provide educational opportunities for psychologists to learn and share knowledge about psychedelic-assisted treatment.
   
   
2. To participate in inter-disciplinary relationships with a view to establishing joint educational opportunities.
   
   
3. To collaborate with other key organisations working in the field of psychedelic-assisted treatment with a view to developing joint positions and providing advice to key organisations and other stakeholders on key issues.
   
   
4. To share knowledge and research findings with other countries in the application of psychedelic-assisted treatment to various client populations.

The Australian Context

From the 1950s to 1975, psychedelic-assisted therapy (primarily with LSD) was availabe in Australia first as a legal substance and from 1967 to 1975 through an authorised prescriber scheme until clinicial practice and research was abandoned globaly. In 2019, the first psychedelic-assisted therapy trial since widespread prohibition commenced at St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne. The trial recently concluded with results to follow. Several other clinicial trials are now underway, with $14.8 million in funding announced in 2022 through the Australian Government's Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF). 

After significant lobbying effort, as of July 1st, 2023, the Australian therapeutic goods administration (TGA) permits authorised psychiatrists to provide psilocybin inconjunction with psychotherapeutic support for patients with treatment resistent depression or MDMA for post-traumatic stress disorder. The TGA decision is controversial, with many Australian researchers and clinicians suggesting the decision was premature given the limited research. Our interest group committee hold a range of opinions on this however, we will ultimately work to provide high-quality research and information for psychologists within the regulations as they exist.  

Psychiatrists are required to submit protocols to a human research ethics committee (HREC). At this point, it is not clear what will be required from protocols given the research base for the therapy is limited. The psychotherapeutic orientation and guidelines are particularly unclear. However, based on current protocols for clinical trials, Australian psychologists are likely to be a vital part of the psychotherapeutic support team required for this therapy. More information is available through the TGA here. 

More About the APS Psychedelic-Assisted Thearpy Interest Group

The APS psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) interest group aims to provide educational support and resources to psychologists and other allied healthcare professionals interested in learning more about psychedelic-assisted therapy and exploring its therapeutic potential. The interest group is dedicated to promoting high-quality research and education on this exciting but complex topic.

We are currently seeking new board members to help direct this relatively new interest group and support Australian psychologists as we enter an incredibly important new era of research and clinical practice with psychedelics and MDMA. Please contact us at [email protected] if this interests you. 

The PAT interest group hopes to foster constructive and productive dialogues for psychologists on the many different aspects of psychedelic-assisted therapy. A broad range of practices, orientations, experience levels, ethics and socio-political factors fall within the scope of considerations for psychedelic-assisted therapy. We hope to explore and respectfully hold space for a multidude of views. However, we ultimately adhere to the high-standards set by the APS code of ethics and responsibilities as psychologists.

We invite you to join our community and engage with the ongoing dialogue on the role of psychedelic substances in mental health treatment. Together, we can explore the potential of this innovative approach and support each other in developing our knowledge and skills in this area.

A key benefit of joining the psychedelic-assisted therapy interest group is free access to our live (and recorded) monthly webinairs. Our webinar series brings leading experts in to discuss the latest research and policy. We specifically focus on the Australian context and implications for psychologists. Group memebers are able to ask questions in the Q+A and access the webinar recordings. We are also establishing a directory of resources tailed to Australian psychologists and a comprehensive FAQ section.

We believe that by bringing together a community of professionals with a shared interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy, we can contribute to the advancement of this emerging field and help to expand access to safe and effective treatments for those who may benefit from them.

Hope to have you join us!