Practical Guidelines for Supportive Touch in Psychedelic-Assisted and MDMA-Assisted Therapy: A Model for Practitioners and Researchers
PsyArXiv January 10, 2026 Jason B Luoma, Jenna Lejeune, Brian Pilecki et al. preprint
Touch can be a valuable therapeutic tool in psychedelic- and MDMA-assisted therapy, but its use requires careful guidelines to ensure safety and efficacy. This paper presents a model for practitioners and researchers outlining practical recommendations for supportive touch, emphasizing consent, attunement, and clear boundaries. The guidelines address when and how to use touch, such as during moments of distress or to ground a client, while minimizing risks of re-traumatization or boundary violations. The model aims to standardize practices, support training, and inform future research on touch in these therapies.