Author Identifier (ORCID)
Stephen J. Bright: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9001-032X
Abstract
Background: Following Australia’s landmark 2023 decision to approve psilocybin and MDMA for clinical use, psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is beginning to emerge within regulated mental health settings. This study investigates psychologists’ views on the relevance of psychedelic therapists’ lived-living experience (LLE) with psychedelics. While discussion around LLE is growing, little is known about how psychologists perceive its role in clinical preparedness for PAT. Methods: Twenty Australian psychologists were recruited through purposive and snowball sampling. Semi-structured interviews explored perceptions of LLE in therapist training and practice. Data were coded and thematically analyzed to identify patterns in how experiential knowledge is valued within PAT. Results: Participants highlighted potential benefits of LLE, including greater empathy, confidence, and therapeutic rapport, particularly amid lingering stigma. They emphasized PAT’s unique demands due to its intense, altered states, requiring deeper therapist familiarity. LLE was seen as uniquely improving therapists’ insight and credibility beyond standard training. Most advocated for optional, safe, and structured inclusion of LLE in formal training, respecting safety and ethical considerations. Conclusion: Psychologists viewed LLE as a valuable addition to PAT training, though not mandatory. Findings reflect growing professional openness to experiential learning, suggesting structured LLE may be valuable for preparing psychedelic therapists.
Keywords
Experiential learning, psychedelic, psychedelic-assisted therapy training
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
1-1-2026
Publication Title
Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
School
School of Medical and Health Sciences
Funders
National Health and Medical Research Center Investigator Grant / Australian Research Council / The National Drug Research Institute / National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre
Grant Number
NHMRC Numbers : 2041822, 2042605, ARC Number : DE250101115
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Negrine, J. J., Bright, S. J., Barratt, M. J., Pennell, M., Barnett, A., Bennett-Levy, J., & Piatkowski, T. (2026). “You can only take your clients as far as you’ve been yourself”: Examining the intersections between psychedelic-assisted therapy, lived-living experience, and clinical practice. Drugs: Education, Prevention and Policy. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2026.2645025