Course Description

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is gaining recognition as a potent treatment option supported by multiple FDA-approved research studies, ongoing federal research expansion efforts, state legalization efforts, and the availability of ketamine-assisted therapy in most of the US and Canada. There’s a notable intersection between clients who may benefit from both EMDR and psychedelic-assisted therapies. Utilizing the psychedelic harm reduction and integration therapy (HRIT) framework, EMDR therapists may begin to integrate a client’s aspirations for independent psychedelic therapy within the standard 8-phase protocol and broader treatment strategy. As clients are increasingly seeking out psychedelic-assisted therapies, empowering EMDR therapists with the knowledge and skills for a psychedelic HRIT treatment approach can break down barriers, minimize risk, enhance inclusivity, and cater to the diverse needs of clients. The presentation includes important ethical and clinical considerations for integrating the standard 8 phase, 3 pronged EMDR protocol with a psychedelic harm reduction and integration therapy approach.

Learning Objectives

1. Participants will be able to discuss all 3 phases of the psychedelic-assisted therapy model and how phases 1 and 3 can integrate with the 8 phase, 3 pronged EMDR standard protocol.
2. Participants will be able to define harm reduction and integration therapy (HRIT) and analyze how it may inform a treatment plan with EMDR clients who choose to pursue psychedelic therapies on their own.
3. Participants will be able to identify at least 3 significant ethical and clinical considerations for psychedelic harm reduction and integration therapy (HRIT) as it relates to their practice as an EMDR therapist.

Presenter(s)

Christopher Brown, LICSW

Christopher Brown, LICSW, is a licensed psychotherapist specializing in EMDR and psychedelic harm reduction and integration therapy (HRIT), serving on the international working group for Psychedelic-Assisted EMDR. Chris is an EMDRIA Certified EMDR Therapist and Consultant. A combat veteran and former EMDR client, for the first seven years of his clinical career, he used EMDR to provide PTSD therapy to other veterans at the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs, where he also received the 100-hour MDMA-Assisted Therapist training from MAPS. Now a private practice owner, Chris leads a newsletter and consultation group supporting therapists exploring psychedelic HRIT in their practice.