Psychedelic Therapy

Frequently Asked Questions

While much is unknown about how licensed clinicians will support their patients best when it comes to psychedelics, Willamette Wellness Center is dedicated to investigating how to bring psychedelic psychotherapy to those who are suffering in a safe and compliant way. 

Did you know?

• Oregon made history, becoming the first state in the country to legalize Psilocybin (often referred to as magic mushrooms) for personal development in 2020. 
• At the federal level, MDMA (often referred to by its street name ecstasy and/or molly) is in its third phase of trials, with many speculating that we could see approval for use by 2023. 
• Many states are loosening regulations surrounding psychedelics.

What is going on with psilocybin in Oregon?

• By the end of 2022, the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) will release its rules and guidelines for psilocybin use. 
• By January 2, 2023, the OHA will begin taking applications to license practitioners in the manufacturing, operation, and testing of psilocybin products and approve sites for conducting psychedelic sessions.
• Once the process is in place, only OHA-approved psychedelic providers who live in Oregon will be able to conduct these sessions. It is anticipated that medical psychedelic tourism will boom in Oregon based on the growing desire for healing alternatives that go beyond talk therapy and the current psychotropic medications available. Learn more here.
• Therapists’ licensing boards have not yet given any guidance for clinicians wanting to provide psychedelic psychotherapy services (rules, requirements, best practices). All licensed therapists will need this information prior to practicing with psychedelics without potentially jeopardizing their license.  
• Therapists’ liability insurance companies have also not yet provided any guidance for psychedelic service coverage for therapists, leaving therapists unknown if they will be covered to practice these services.
• Psilocybin is legal in the state of Oregon but is not federally legal. This presents a legal situation that is similar to when marijuana was legalized in Oregon and complicates many aspects of the process, including distribution, the location where services can be held, and even how payment for services can/ and can’t, be collected.
• We will most likely see a lift in these restrictions once Psilocybin and MDMA are federally approved.  
• Learn more about psilocybin in Oregon here.

Why should I wait to work with a therapist, when I can eat mushrooms on my own?

There are many ways you can benefit from partnering with trained therapists and certified facilities as you embark on your healing journey with psychedelics. 

• A professional will help guide and support you as you attempt to heal from traumatic and adverse life events, while in a vulnerable altered state. This can take the form of comfort, physical and mental direction during the psychedelic journey, and transcription of the events as they occur.
• A trained therapist can help redirect your session, keep you on track with your intentions for yourself for your journey and provide check-ins during sessions.  Therapists are trained in asking the right questions at the right time, to help further your interpersonal work.
• Psilocybin will be distributed by an approved vendor by the Oregon Health Authority, promising proper dosing and safety.
• As with any medical treatment, there is a chance you may have a reaction that is not typical. Certified psilocybin administrators will be trained to support these situations.

How does psilocybin psychotherapy work?

Each patient’s journey will vary, but the treatment involves a minimum of three sessions.  

• The first meeting will establish the groundwork for treatment. Patients will discuss goals and preferred delivery styles. An assessment will be given to determine the appropriateness to begin treatments, including any possible barriers to treatment, including the patient’s current physical and mental health
• Treatment sessions will be personalized and vary in length, on average a psychedelic session can last anywhere from 4-8 hours (sometimes more).  Our therapists will take into consideration each patient’s personality and comfort. 
• Post sessions, called integration sessions, will reflect on insight discovered during delivery, and help the client to integrate what came up for them during their psychedelic psychotherapy session into their current functioning.

What’s the difference between Psilocybin and MDMA?

• At the most basic level, psilocybin is organic and MDMA is synthetic. 
• Both MDMA and Psilocybin have been reported to help alleviate emotional inhibitions that can limit the results available through traditional therapy; assisting the client with progress in therapeutic treatment faster and with more depth.  The way the drugs “feel” is subjective to each person and each experience, although Psilocybin has been more associated with visuals, and MDMA with body sensations including euphoria, and a deep sense of love and connection to self and others.  Both drugs offer the ability for the client to let go of defense mechanisms, emotions, ego states, and other issues that have been preventing them from making progress in their lives otherwise.
• MDMA is in the process of getting federal approval but has not been legalized in Oregon
• Psilocybin is approved for use in Oregon and some other cities/counties but has not been federally approved.

How will psychedelic treatments work differently from the pills I’ve already been prescribed by my family doctor?

This is the most exciting part of psychedelic treatment. Instead of treating symptoms of depression, anxiety, and PTSD (to name a few), psychedelics have the potential to heal the problem at its core. Researchers are hesitant to use the word ‘cure’ in regards to mental health issues and medication, however a recent study discussed in Pharmacy Times stated, “More than half of participants in the MDMA-assisted therapy arm no longer qualified for a post-traumatic stress disorder diagnosis after 3 sessions, compared to 32% in the control arm.”  This indicates the symptoms no longer bother the client to the point they no longer qualify for a diagnosis anymore, which is almost unseen using the common psychotropic medication and therapy prescribed today.

Legalization of psychedelic psychotherapy means therapists will hopefully soon be able to see clients recover from serious mental health issues like depression, anxiety, PTSD and substance abuse in as little as three sessions, leaving their life-long, prescription use and dependency behind.

Will insurance cover this?

As with many new treatments, insurance will most likely not cover these therapy options initially. Similar to other wellness experiences (yoga retreat, acupuncture, etc.), psychedelic psychotherapy is an expense that can result in a refreshed, healed, and energized you. Think of it as a vacation for your soul. 

Check out our other blog post, Psychedelics in the Treatment of Mental Health: Are They Right For You?

Be well,

 

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