existwell
@existwell.bsky.social
Science of psychedelics & other altered states of consciousness
Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research
@jhpsychedelics.bsky.social
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Oxford Uehiro Institute
Yaden Lab
www.YadenLab.com
Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research
@jhpsychedelics.bsky.social
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Oxford Uehiro Institute
Yaden Lab
www.YadenLab.com
Reposted by existwell
Citation:
Schettino, J. R., Cheung, K., Nayak, S. M., Weiss, B. M., & Yaden, D. B. Psychological support can be distinguished from psychotherapy: Clarifications for future empirical work. General hospital psychiatry, 99, 30-40.
OA Link:
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
Schettino, J. R., Cheung, K., Nayak, S. M., Weiss, B. M., & Yaden, D. B. Psychological support can be distinguished from psychotherapy: Clarifications for future empirical work. General hospital psychiatry, 99, 30-40.
OA Link:
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
(PDF) Psychological support can be distinguished from psychotherapy: Clarifications for future empirical work
PDF | On Dec 1, 2025, Jonathan R. Schettino and others published Psychological support can be distinguished from psychotherapy: Clarifications for future empirical work | Find, read and cite all the r...
www.researchgate.net
January 16, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Citation:
Schettino, J. R., Cheung, K., Nayak, S. M., Weiss, B. M., & Yaden, D. B. Psychological support can be distinguished from psychotherapy: Clarifications for future empirical work. General hospital psychiatry, 99, 30-40.
OA Link:
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
Schettino, J. R., Cheung, K., Nayak, S. M., Weiss, B. M., & Yaden, D. B. Psychological support can be distinguished from psychotherapy: Clarifications for future empirical work. General hospital psychiatry, 99, 30-40.
OA Link:
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
Reposted by existwell
With clearer definitions, we can operationalize with empirical tests (which we are now working on).
We can operationalize psychological support vs psychotherapy, measure when each actually occurs, and, eventually, use factorial designs to test their distinct benefits and risks.
We can operationalize psychological support vs psychotherapy, measure when each actually occurs, and, eventually, use factorial designs to test their distinct benefits and risks.
January 16, 2026 at 8:44 PM
With clearer definitions, we can operationalize with empirical tests (which we are now working on).
We can operationalize psychological support vs psychotherapy, measure when each actually occurs, and, eventually, use factorial designs to test their distinct benefits and risks.
We can operationalize psychological support vs psychotherapy, measure when each actually occurs, and, eventually, use factorial designs to test their distinct benefits and risks.
Reposted by existwell
The specific substance and indication under discussion matter here! For example, psychotherapy is extensive in MDMA for PTSD but typically absent in ketamine for depression...
Classic psychedelics will fall somewhere in-between:
Classic psychedelics will fall somewhere in-between:
January 16, 2026 at 8:40 PM
The specific substance and indication under discussion matter here! For example, psychotherapy is extensive in MDMA for PTSD but typically absent in ketamine for depression...
Classic psychedelics will fall somewhere in-between:
Classic psychedelics will fall somewhere in-between:
would you be interested in presenting to our lab on this, by any chance?
January 19, 2026 at 2:51 PM
would you be interested in presenting to our lab on this, by any chance?
Good point! I'm interested in find ways to better describe and report this going forward as attempting to get clarity on previous studies has been difficult.
We're trying to create a standardized way to report the interpersonal interactions in pubs & creating adherence ratings to code sessions.
We're trying to create a standardized way to report the interpersonal interactions in pubs & creating adherence ratings to code sessions.
January 19, 2026 at 2:44 PM
Good point! I'm interested in find ways to better describe and report this going forward as attempting to get clarity on previous studies has been difficult.
We're trying to create a standardized way to report the interpersonal interactions in pubs & creating adherence ratings to code sessions.
We're trying to create a standardized way to report the interpersonal interactions in pubs & creating adherence ratings to code sessions.
Coding was “probable” based on the main outcomes paper. What specifically do you take from the other training paper to make that assessment? (And do you mind linking that paper)?
January 18, 2026 at 9:10 PM
Coding was “probable” based on the main outcomes paper. What specifically do you take from the other training paper to make that assessment? (And do you mind linking that paper)?
Citation:
Schettino, J. R., Cheung, K., Nayak, S. M., Weiss, B. M., & Yaden, D. B. Psychological support can be distinguished from psychotherapy: Clarifications for future empirical work. General hospital psychiatry, 99, 30-40.
OA Link:
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
Schettino, J. R., Cheung, K., Nayak, S. M., Weiss, B. M., & Yaden, D. B. Psychological support can be distinguished from psychotherapy: Clarifications for future empirical work. General hospital psychiatry, 99, 30-40.
OA Link:
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
(PDF) Psychological support can be distinguished from psychotherapy: Clarifications for future empirical work
PDF | On Dec 1, 2025, Jonathan R. Schettino and others published Psychological support can be distinguished from psychotherapy: Clarifications for future empirical work | Find, read and cite all the r...
www.researchgate.net
January 16, 2026 at 8:44 PM
Citation:
Schettino, J. R., Cheung, K., Nayak, S. M., Weiss, B. M., & Yaden, D. B. Psychological support can be distinguished from psychotherapy: Clarifications for future empirical work. General hospital psychiatry, 99, 30-40.
OA Link:
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
Schettino, J. R., Cheung, K., Nayak, S. M., Weiss, B. M., & Yaden, D. B. Psychological support can be distinguished from psychotherapy: Clarifications for future empirical work. General hospital psychiatry, 99, 30-40.
OA Link:
www.researchgate.net/publication/...
That’s how we think the field can move forward on this topic, with better definitions, better descriptions, better measures, and empirical tests. We are working on all of these and interested to hear who else is working on making progress on these topics!
January 16, 2026 at 8:44 PM
That’s how we think the field can move forward on this topic, with better definitions, better descriptions, better measures, and empirical tests. We are working on all of these and interested to hear who else is working on making progress on these topics!
With clearer definitions, we can operationalize with empirical tests (which we are now working on).
We can operationalize psychological support vs psychotherapy, measure when each actually occurs, and, eventually, use factorial designs to test their distinct benefits and risks.
We can operationalize psychological support vs psychotherapy, measure when each actually occurs, and, eventually, use factorial designs to test their distinct benefits and risks.
January 16, 2026 at 8:44 PM
With clearer definitions, we can operationalize with empirical tests (which we are now working on).
We can operationalize psychological support vs psychotherapy, measure when each actually occurs, and, eventually, use factorial designs to test their distinct benefits and risks.
We can operationalize psychological support vs psychotherapy, measure when each actually occurs, and, eventually, use factorial designs to test their distinct benefits and risks.
We show our attempt at reviewing the literature to apply our criteria to existing studies. We found it difficult because the specifics of the interpersonal interactions (psychological support, psychotherapy, etc) were so under described. Description of this in publications needs to be improved!
January 16, 2026 at 8:43 PM
We show our attempt at reviewing the literature to apply our criteria to existing studies. We found it difficult because the specifics of the interpersonal interactions (psychological support, psychotherapy, etc) were so under described. Description of this in publications needs to be improved!
Without advocating for one or the other, we propose definitions & criteria for an interaction directed towards safety (psych support) & an interaction directed towards safety AND efficacy (psychotherapy).
January 16, 2026 at 8:43 PM
Without advocating for one or the other, we propose definitions & criteria for an interaction directed towards safety (psych support) & an interaction directed towards safety AND efficacy (psychotherapy).
(e.g., nursing, coaching, assessment, monitoring). It would seem strange to argue that, for example, a study of healthy participants getting their brains scanned under psilocybin necessarily involves psychotherapy.
January 16, 2026 at 8:42 PM
(e.g., nursing, coaching, assessment, monitoring). It would seem strange to argue that, for example, a study of healthy participants getting their brains scanned under psilocybin necessarily involves psychotherapy.
We think psychological support is a coherent form of interpersonal interaction in psychedelic administration contexts. It is common in other non-psychedelic drug trials and there are many examples of supportive interpersonal interactions that do not consist of psychotherapy...
January 16, 2026 at 8:42 PM
We think psychological support is a coherent form of interpersonal interaction in psychedelic administration contexts. It is common in other non-psychedelic drug trials and there are many examples of supportive interpersonal interactions that do not consist of psychotherapy...
We believe this ^ is something that can be clarified in study manuals, in publications of studies, and through adherence rating procedures.
January 16, 2026 at 8:42 PM
We believe this ^ is something that can be clarified in study manuals, in publications of studies, and through adherence rating procedures.
Goodwin et al believe that there are many instances of psychological support paired with psilocybin that do not meet the criteria of psychotherapy (and we agree), but an open question is how often psychological support functionally becomes psychotherapy in these contexts (as we also think happens).
January 16, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Goodwin et al believe that there are many instances of psychological support paired with psilocybin that do not meet the criteria of psychotherapy (and we agree), but an open question is how often psychological support functionally becomes psychotherapy in these contexts (as we also think happens).
We try to make sense out of the comments and response. We suggest a lack of clarity resulted in many of the discussions talking past one another
(Alpert et al., 2024; Bogenschutz, 2024; Deckel et al., 2024; Earleywine et al., 2024; O’Donnell et al.,
2024; Schenberg et al., 2024)
(Alpert et al., 2024; Bogenschutz, 2024; Deckel et al., 2024; Earleywine et al., 2024; O’Donnell et al.,
2024; Schenberg et al., 2024)
January 16, 2026 at 8:41 PM
We try to make sense out of the comments and response. We suggest a lack of clarity resulted in many of the discussions talking past one another
(Alpert et al., 2024; Bogenschutz, 2024; Deckel et al., 2024; Earleywine et al., 2024; O’Donnell et al.,
2024; Schenberg et al., 2024)
(Alpert et al., 2024; Bogenschutz, 2024; Deckel et al., 2024; Earleywine et al., 2024; O’Donnell et al.,
2024; Schenberg et al., 2024)
Many responded to the article. Some focused on regulatory implications, such as raising questions about whether favoring “psychological support” over psychotherapy simplifies approval pathways for sponsors. On the other hand, psychotherapists may tend to prioritize psychotherapy.
January 16, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Many responded to the article. Some focused on regulatory implications, such as raising questions about whether favoring “psychological support” over psychotherapy simplifies approval pathways for sponsors. On the other hand, psychotherapists may tend to prioritize psychotherapy.
The debate on this issue was sparked by Guy Goodwin’s “Must psilocybin always ‘assist’ psychotherapy?” psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10....
Goodwin et al questioned whether the psychotherapy sometimes bundled to psilocybin experiences is necessary for the benefits, or rather a safety measure.
Goodwin et al questioned whether the psychotherapy sometimes bundled to psilocybin experiences is necessary for the benefits, or rather a safety measure.
Must Psilocybin Always “Assist Psychotherapy”? | American Journal of Psychiatry
PsychiatryOnline.org is the platform for all American Psychiatric Association Publishing journals, DSM, and bestselling textbooks, as well as APA Practice Guidelines, and continuing medical education.
psychiatryonline.org
January 16, 2026 at 8:41 PM
The debate on this issue was sparked by Guy Goodwin’s “Must psilocybin always ‘assist’ psychotherapy?” psychiatryonline.org/doi/full/10....
Goodwin et al questioned whether the psychotherapy sometimes bundled to psilocybin experiences is necessary for the benefits, or rather a safety measure.
Goodwin et al questioned whether the psychotherapy sometimes bundled to psilocybin experiences is necessary for the benefits, or rather a safety measure.
The specific substance and indication under discussion matter here! For example, psychotherapy is extensive in MDMA for PTSD but typically absent in ketamine for depression...
Classic psychedelics will fall somewhere in-between:
Classic psychedelics will fall somewhere in-between:
January 16, 2026 at 8:40 PM
The specific substance and indication under discussion matter here! For example, psychotherapy is extensive in MDMA for PTSD but typically absent in ketamine for depression...
Classic psychedelics will fall somewhere in-between:
Classic psychedelics will fall somewhere in-between:
Reposted by existwell
Psychedelics don’t require ethical exemptions. We argue against “ethical exceptionalism” while supporting context-sensitive policies that uphold shared research and clinical standards. Distinctive effects ≠ new ethics.
OA Link: www.researchgate.net/publication/...
OA Link: www.researchgate.net/publication/...
(PDF) Are Psychedelics Ethically Exceptional After All? Some Further Reflections
PDF | In this response to commentators on our target article, we clarify and refine our position on claims of psychedelic ethical exceptionalism.... | Find, read and cite all the research you need on…
www.researchgate.net
December 30, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Psychedelics don’t require ethical exemptions. We argue against “ethical exceptionalism” while supporting context-sensitive policies that uphold shared research and clinical standards. Distinctive effects ≠ new ethics.
OA Link: www.researchgate.net/publication/...
OA Link: www.researchgate.net/publication/...