Title & Introduction

  • Paper Title: Canadian Psychologists’ and Psychology Graduate Students’ Perceptions of Psychedelic Therapy
  • Published In: University of Lethbridge Thesis
  • Publish Date: 2025
  • Authors: Victoria Cobuz
  • Objective: To examine the perceptions and knowledge of psychedelic therapy among registered psychologists and psychology graduate students in Canada.
  • Importance: As clinical trials on psychedelic-assisted therapy expand, understanding how psychologists and future practitioners perceive these treatments is essential for determining their future integration into professional practice.

Summary & Takeaways

Key Takeaway: Canadian psychologists and psychology graduate students generally view psychedelic therapy favorably, though a lack of formal education on the topic remains a barrier to widespread adoption.

Practical Application:
Incorporating psychedelic therapy education into psychology training programs could prepare future practitioners for its potential clinical applications, ensuring ethical and informed implementation.

Key Background Information

  • Context: Psychedelic therapy is gaining recognition for its potential in treating depression, PTSD, and anxiety. However, stigma and a lack of education about psychedelics remain barriers in the field of psychology.
  • Hypothesis: Higher levels of knowledge about psychedelics will be associated with more favorable perceptions of psychedelic therapy.

Methodology

  • Study Design: Online survey assessing knowledge and perceptions of psychedelic therapy.
  • Participants: 137 registered psychologists and psychology graduate students in Canada.
  • Intervention/Exposure: Questions assessing knowledge, perceptions, and prior experiences with psychedelics.
  • Controls: Not applicable.
  • Duration: Data collection took place in 2023.

Key Findings

Primary Outcomes:

  • Both psychologists and graduate students expressed generally favorable perceptions of psychedelic therapy.
  • No significant differences in perception were found between the two groups.
  • Participants reported limited formal education on psychedelic therapy, but strong interest in its inclusion in psychology curricula.
  • Greater knowledge about psychedelics correlated with more favorable perceptions of their therapeutic potential.
  • Personal experience with psychedelics was associated with both higher knowledge and more positive attitudes toward psychedelic therapy.
  • Gender did not significantly impact perceptions or knowledge levels.

Secondary Outcomes:

  • Stigma from the "war on drugs" continues to shape attitudes toward psychedelics.
  • Participants cited the need for regulatory clarity and professional guidelines before integrating psychedelics into mainstream psychology.
  • Concerns included the need for specialized training and ethical considerations in psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Interpretation & Implications

  • Conclusion: While Canadian psychologists and psychology students recognize the potential of psychedelic therapy, formal education and regulatory frameworks must be improved to facilitate its safe and ethical adoption.
  • Implications: Psychology training programs should introduce coursework on psychedelic-assisted therapy to ensure future practitioners are prepared for its integration into clinical practice.
  • Limitations: The study relied on self-reported data, which may be subject to bias. Additionally, the sample size was relatively small and may not be fully representative of the Canadian psychology community.

Researchers & Publication

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