Psychological Therapy Quantity and Depressive Symptom Reduction in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

Is the quantity of psychological therapy associated with symptom reduction in psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) for depressive symptoms?In this systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 controlled clinical trials with 733 participants, a greater amount of preparatory psychological therapy was associated with a larger reduction of depressive symptoms following psychedelic administration. Total duration of psychological therapy as well as quantity of postpsychedelic integration sessions were not significantly associated with symptom reduction.These findings suggest that preparation sessions before psychedelic administration may play an important role in optimizing treatment outcomes in PAT.

Corresponding Author: Gianluca Andri Florineth, MSc, University Hospital of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bern, 3000 Bern, Switzerland (gianluca.florineth@unibe.ch).

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