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Link to original content: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36855289
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. 2023 Jul;37(7):660-678.
doi: 10.1177/02698811231155117. Epub 2023 Feb 28.

Can psychedelics enhance group psychotherapy? A discussion on the therapeutic factors

Polina Ponomarenko  1 , Federico Seragnoli  2 , Abigail Calder  3 , Peter Oehen  4 , Gregor Hasler  3
Affiliations

Can psychedelics enhance group psychotherapy? A discussion on the therapeutic factors

Polina Ponomarenko et al. J Psychopharmacol. 2023 Jul.

Abstract

Background: Despite the growth of psychedelic research, psychedelic-assisted group psychotherapy (PAGP) has received little attention in comparison to individual psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy models.

Methods: In this article, we aim to discuss the therapeutic potential of PAGP, as well as outline existing models and the challenges of this approach. Using Irvin Yalom's 11 therapeutic factors of group therapy as a basic framework, we analyse current literature from clinical studies and neurobiological research relative to the topic of PAGP.

Results: We argue that combining psychedelic substances and group psychotherapy may prove beneficial for increasing group connectedness and interpersonal learning, potentially enhancing prosocial behaviour with direct opportunities to practice newly acquired knowledge about previously maladaptive behavioural patterns. Challenges regarding this approach include a more rigid therapy structure and potential loss of openness from patients, which may be ameliorated by adequate therapeutic training.

Conclusion: We hope for this article to support clinical research on PAGP by presenting a therapeutic framework and outlining its mechanisms and challenges.

Keywords: Psychedelic research; group therapy; psychedelic-assisted group psychotherapy; psychotherapy; therapeutic factors.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship and/or publication of this article.

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Figure 1.
Psychedelic use in applied research.
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