Harvard Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Neglected Clinical Complexities 2026

Methods & Medicines

Basic PAP structure, commonly used psychedelic or altered-state approaches and the evolving clinical evidence base.

Set & Setting

Often-neglected considerations in preparation, environment, therapeutic frame and clinician influence.

Somatic Experiences

Body-based phenomena and how clinicians can understand intense physical or embodied experiences during therapy.

Spiritual & Religious Dimensions

Respectful engagement with spiritual, existential, religious and theological interpretations brought by clients.

Western & Indigenous Perspectives

Contrasting frameworks for understanding non-ordinary states, including ego-dissolution case vignettes.

Adverse Experiences & Potential Harms

Learning from difficult experiences, recognizing risk and maintaining a safety-focused clinical framework.

OCD Case Application

A case-based look at psychedelic-boosted behavioral therapy and non-directive approaches in obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Interdisciplinary KAP

Benefits and challenges of interdisciplinary ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and team-based models of care.

When Things Do Not Go to Plan

Clinical reasoning for unexpected reactions, therapeutic complications, boundaries and difficult treatment trajectories.

Access the recorded 2026 PAP conference. 2 days • clinical complexities • case vignettes • ethics • safety • integration

Learning Objectives

The course is designed to help clinicians think beyond technique alone and respond more thoughtfully to complexity, context and patient experience.

• Describe the basic structure and core principles of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
• Review the current evidence base and commonly used PAP medicines.
• Recognize neglected considerations involving set and setting.
• Address grief, awe, somatic phenomena and non-ordinary states.
• Respect spiritual, existential and religious interpretations without imposing assumptions.
• Compare Western and Indigenous perspectives on altered-state experiences.
• Identify potential harms and strategies that may reduce clinical risk.
• Understand benefits and challenges of multidisciplinary PAP teams.
• Use case-based reasoning when sessions do not proceed as expected.

Course Leadership

The 2026 program is co-directed by clinicians and educators with experience in psychotherapy, trauma, psychiatry, mindfulness and psychedelic-assisted care.

Ronald D. Siegel, PsyD

Faculty, Center for Mindfulness and CompassionAssistant Professor of Psychology, Part-TimeHarvard Medical School

Jim Hopper, PhD

Consultant, Outpatient Addictions ServiceCambridge Health AllianceTeaching Associate in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School

Laura Warren, MD

Psychiatry Faculty, Cambridge Health AllianceFaculty, Center for Mindfulness and CompassionLecturer on Psychiatry, Part-Time, Harvard Medical School

Monnica Williams, PhD

Professor, School of PsychologyUniversity of OttawaClinical Director, Behavioral Wellness Clinic

Additional Course Director: Karen Kuc, MPH — Director, Continuing Education in Psychiatry, Cambridge Health Alliance; Associate in Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School.

2026 Curriculum

Day 1 — Foundations, Set & Setting, Spirituality & Somatic Experience

February 26, 2026: Welcome & Introduction • Back to Basics: The Method and the Medicines of PAP • Updates on the Evidence: Clinical Outcomes of PAP • Neglected Considerations for Set & Settings • Integrating SERT in Psychedelics Therapy • Neglected Complexities from a Religious Studies Perspective • Minding the Body: Somatic Experiences in Psychedelic Therapy • Respecting the Spiritual Understanding and Framework of Clients • Panel Discussions and Q&A

Day 2 — Culture, Adverse Experiences, OCD, KAP & Difficult Clinical Scenarios

February 27, 2026: Integrating Western & Indigenous Perspectives • Ego Dissolution Case Vignettes • Learning from Bad Experiences • Staying Alert to Potential Harms • Psychedelic-Boosted Behavior Therapy: OCD Case Example • Benefits and Challenges of Interdisciplinary KAP • Complexities in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: When Things Don’t Go According to Plan • Wrap-Up Panel Discussion and Q&A

Who Should Take This Course?

Psychiatrists Psychologists Psychotherapists Social Workers Mental Health Counselors Behavioral Health Clinicians Primary Care Physicians Specialty Physicians Nurses Addiction Specialists Researchers PAP Clinicians

Your Course Package

Study the available recorded conference materials at your own pace and revisit the case discussions, clinical complexities, safety considerations, cultural perspectives and integration frameworks whenever needed.

Recorded On-Demand Materials

2 Days 2026 Conference

Case-Based Clinical Learning

Frequently Asked Questions

What does this course focus on?

It focuses on advanced and often-neglected clinical complexities in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, including difficult experiences, safety, boundaries, somatic phenomena, spiritual and cultural dimensions, multidisciplinary care and integration.

Does the course cover potential harms and difficult experiences?

Yes. The official 2026 agenda includes sessions on learning from bad experiences, potential harms and clinical situations in which therapy does not proceed as expected.

Are cultural and spiritual perspectives included?

Yes. The curriculum includes spiritual and religious frameworks, Western and Indigenous perspectives, metaphysical assumptions and culturally responsive approaches to non-ordinary experiences.

Does the course include case-based learning?

Yes. The conference uses clinical vignettes, case examples, multidisciplinary discussion and expert panels throughout the two-day program.

Is this a live course?

No. This Get Medical Courses product contains recorded, on-demand educational materials for independent study.

Does access expire?

No. The available purchased course materials are provided with lifetime access.

Does this Get Medical Courses purchase include CME, CE credit or an official certificate?

No. The Get Medical Courses recorded package does not include CME/CE credit or an official Harvard course certificate.

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Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy • 2026

Review evidence, difficult experiences, somatic phenomena, spiritual and cultural dimensions, patient safety, interdisciplinary care and advanced case discussions through the recorded two-day 2026 conference.

Psychedelic Psychotherapy 2026 $149.97 • Lifetime Access

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Recorded, on-demand educational materials with lifetime access. Access instructions are provided after successful payment.

Get Medical Courses is an independent seller of recorded educational materials. Faculty affiliations do not imply endorsement. This purchase does not include registration for the original live event, live participation, CME/CE credits or an official course certificate.