Basic Protocol Template for Psychedelic-Specific Findings
This template provides the basic tools needed to measure psychedelic-specific experiences, including the mystical, challenging, and long-term impact aspects, ideal for practitioners aiming to document and understand the core elements of psychedelic therapy.
Description:
This set of questionnaires is designed to measure the core aspects of psychedelic experiences. It includes scales to assess the mystical nature of the experience, any challenging encounters, and the long-term effects on the individual. Ideal for practitioners aiming to capture the depth and impact of psychedelic sessions, these tools provide a structured way to evaluate client experiences and outcomes. By employing these tools, you can gain valuable insights into the psychedelic process, enhancing the overall understanding and effectiveness of the practice.
• Customize the template to accommodate the unique characteristics of your psychedelic practice settings and client populations.
How to Engage with the Protocol Template:
Note: If you're not licensed to provide medical diagnoses, use these
scales as indicators to understand clients' mental health issues.
Pre-Ceremony Assessment:
Administer the questionnaires before the psychedelic session to gather baseline data on the client’s mental and emotional state.
Post-Ceremony Assessment:
Use the questionnaires immediately after the session and at specified follow-up intervals to measure the mystical and challenging aspects of the experience, as well as long-term effects.
Follow the provided guidelines to determine the optimal times for these assessments.
Integration Support:
Use the assessment results to facilitate integration sessions, helping clients process and make sense of their experiences.
Tailor your therapeutic approach based on the findings to enhance the client's long-term well-being.
Practical Application:
Example: If a client reports a profound mystical experience, explore how this impacts their sense of self and integrate supportive practices to reinforce positive outcomes.
Scoring Methodology Instructions:
As you embark on the scoring process, we've simplified it for your ease. Follow the detailed scoring instructions included with each questionnaire to calculate the total scores. Refer to the scoring interpretation section to understand what the scores indicate about the client’s mental health.
1. Straightforward Totals:
For the majority of assessments, scoring is a breeze. It involves adding up the total score, providing a quick snapshot of the client's responses.
2. Interpretation Guidance:
Find comprehensive interpretation details in the dedicated 'Scoring Methodology' section. It will unravel the meanings behind the scores, guiding you through the nuanced understanding of your clients' experiences.
3. Subscales' Nuances:
For assessments with subscales, the interpretation nuances are highlighted in the 'Scoring Methodology' section. Navigate through these specifics to grasp the subtleties embedded within each subscale.
4. Biomedical Assessment Support:
Modern biomedical assessments often come with helpful resources for administering and interpreting. Access these valuable insights in the 'Helpful Resources' section, ensuring you have additional guidance when using these widely utilized tools.
This scoring methodology is designed for clarity, empowering you to extract meaningful insights from the assessments seamlessly.
Discernment and Customization:
As you delve into our toolkit, remember that every therapeutic practice is a unique expression of your expertise. Here's how to tailor our templates to your individual approach:
1. Trust Your Intuition:
Think of these templates as a canvas rather than a strict blueprint. Trust your instincts when selecting and customizing elements. Your practice is distinct, and these materials offer guidance, not limitations.
2. Client-Centered Adaptation:
Every client is one of a kind. This toolkit is a buffet, not a set menu. Choose elements that resonate with your style and suit the unique needs of each client. Customize the materials to align with their unique needs and the dynamics of your therapeutic relationship.
3. Integration:
Our toolkit is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Adapt it to different client populations or varying session contexts. Let it blend into your established therapeutic approach according to your preferences.
In essence, this toolkit is a companion, offering suggestions for your journey. Your practice is the masterpiece, and these templates are here to enhance its brilliance. Personalize it to elevate your practice and enhance the transformative experience for your clients.
Ethical Considerations:
As you explore our toolkit, we recognize your commitment to ethical practice. While you've likely already integrated these principles, it's crucial for us to explicitly name and emphasize them. This reinforces our shared commitment to providing you with the best tools and considerations for your practice:
1. Informed Consent:
Ensure that clients provide informed consent regarding the use of assessments and questionnaires.
Clearly communicate the purpose, potential benefits, and risks associated with utilizing the provided materials.
Inform clients about the voluntary nature of participation and their right to withdraw at any time.
Please see this example of INFORMED CONSENT TO RECEIVE PSILOCYBIN SERVICES from the Oregon Government Website.
2. Confidentiality:
Emphasize the importance of maintaining client confidentiality when using assessment data.
Clearly outline how the data will be stored, who will have access to it, and any circumstances under which confidentiality may be breached.
3. Cultural Sensitivity:
Be mindful of cultural considerations when using assessments, acknowledging that certain questions or scales may not be culturally appropriate for all individuals.
Encourage practitioners to adapt and tailor the assessments to be culturally sensitive and relevant.
4. Scope of Practice:
Work within your scope of practice and adhere to legal and regulatory standards.
Clarify any limitations on the use of assessments, especially if they are not intended for diagnostic purposes.
Communicate transparently with clients about the purpose and scope of assessments, managing expectations regarding their role in the therapeutic process.
5. Feedback and Integration:
Foster a feedback loop with your clients. Encourage open communication about the materials used and their impact.
Feedback not only refines your approach but also strengthens the therapeutic alliance, contributing to a collaborative and transformative experience.
6. Avoiding Harm:
Be keenly aware of the potential for harm and unintended consequences that may arise from the use of specific assessments (psychological distress, cultural sensitivity, stigmatization, informed consent challenges).
7. Ongoing Monitoring and Evaluation:
Regularly assess and evaluate the impact and appropriateness of assessments within your practice. Stay attuned to emerging research and updates in the field to refine your approach.
Be open to modifying or discontinuing the use of certain assessments based on your evolving understanding, client feedback, and the latest best practices.
By carefully considering and addressing these ethical considerations, practitioners can use assessments responsibly and ethically in the context of psychedelic therapy, promoting the well-being and trust of their clients.
1. American Psychological Association (APA):
The APA provides resources and guidelines on psychological assessment. Their website offers publications, articles, and guidelines that can be valuable for practitioners looking to use validated measures.Website: APA Assessment Resources
2. Psychological Assessment Journal:
"Psychological Assessment" is a peer-reviewed journal that publishes articles on various aspects of psychological assessment. Reading articles from this journal can provide insights into the latest research and best practices.
Journal Link: Psychological Assessment Journal
3. How to use the PHQ-9
Here is a video going over a commonly used scale for measuring depression, the Patient Health Questionnaire. This video explains each component of the questionnaire, demonstrates how to administer the questionnaire and how to interpret it.
Video link: How to use the PHQ-9
Continuous Improvement:
As you integrate these resources into your practice, we invite and encourage your insights. Your feedback is a crucial element in our commitment to continuous improvement.
We encourage practitioners to provide feedback on their experience with the package at support@flutterinitiative.org
Maya Services have not been evaluated by the Federal Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”).You expressly acknowledge and agree that Maya (i) is a technology company providing certain Services; (ii) does not itself provide any therapeutic or healthcare services to individuals; (iii) does not provide or recommend any therapeutic services, providers or substances used in connection with such services. It is the sole responsibility of each Provider to offer its services to Clients in a legal and compliant manner, which are facilitated through its use of the Services. Maya has no responsibility or liability for any Services provided by Providers or received by Clients. While Maya offers optional notification features for instances of reported suicidal ideation by a Client, the Provider retains liability to respond to these notifications.
Read more at https://www.flutterinitiative.org/legal
It’s as easy as picking the resources you will find most helpful now!
Click below to browse our digital resources or download your free PDF today…
