This training is suitable for clinicians and guides interested in the application of psychedelic-assisted therapy with individuals struggling with an eating disorder or disordered eating. The trainers will draw on their theoretical knowledge and practical experience from research, clinical, and non-clinical settings using a range of substances including psilocybin, ayahuasca, ketamine, and MDMA.

Special considerations for medicine work in this context will be reviewed, from screening, preparation, and dosing to integration and beyond. This training will also include a module on the role of supporting others (family members or close friends) in the process, in line with advances in the field of eating disorder treatments.

What to expect:

• What is an eating disorder? Beyond the DSM: Lessons learned from psychedelic journeys
• Common themes that arise during ED journeys and ways to support healing and growth, including ways to respond to resistance and despair
• Skills development in the attending to and processing of emotions drawing on emotion transformation theory
• Skills development to support a kinder, more compassionate relationship with the body
• Strategies for the management of eating disorder thoughts and behaviors pre, during, and after the psychedelic experience.
• Concrete strategies to support the broadening of the individual’s care network to optimize outcomes. This includes the use of emotion coaching skills from EFFT.

Continuing Education (CE) credits are provided through the Canadian Psychological Association.

Slide handouts will be provided to workshop attendees. The workshop will not be recorded.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

1. Identify key characteristics of eating disorders.
   
2. Apply strategies for supporting growth and managing resistance in psychedelic therapy for eating disorders.
3. Use emotion transformation theory to enhance emotion processing skills.
4. Develop a compassionate approach to the body in psychedelic therapy.
5. Implement strategies for managing eating disorder thoughts across the psychedelic experience.
6. Apply techniques to broaden an individual's care network, integrating emotion coaching skills.