Psychedelic-assisted grief therapy: a mixed-method case study
Mortality – December 05, 2024
Source: OpenAlex
Summary
Ayahuasca-assisted grief therapy showed promise in preventing complicated grief, as evidenced by a case study involving a woman in her thirties who lost her father to cancer. Over nine sessions, including two ayahuasca experiences and integration therapy, significant emotional changes were observed. Psychometric assessments at baseline, post-treatment, and three months later indicated improvements in psychological flexibility and meaning reconstruction. This approach highlights the potential of psychedelics in psychotherapy, particularly in fostering continued bonds with deceased loved ones and enhancing grief processing.
Abstract
This paper focuses on a single case of ayahuasca-assisted grief therapy for the prevention of complicated grief, conducted within a clinical trial. The participant, a woman in her thirties who lost her father to cancer, completed a 9-session process of Meaning Reconstruction Therapy (MRT) organised around two ayahuasca sessions. Following each psychedelic experience, she also completed a psychedelic integration session. The case study investigates the effect of the intervention, the observed changes in the participant, and the potential processes of change which may account for this improvement. The analysis relies on a qualitative narrative approach to examine the content of each therapy session, as well as on the psychometric measures completed at baseline, post-treatment, and at the three-month follow-up. These results are linked to emerging theories in the field, with a particular focus on the role of meaning reconstruction, psychological flexibility, and a continuing bond with the deceased.