Psychedelics and the person-centered approach: a call for interest and engagement in psychedelic research
Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies April 6, 2026 James Cullen
Since 2006, a renaissance in Western psychedelic research has produced promising findings on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for mental health diagnoses. This paper outlines what classic psychedelics are and how they work in the brain, notes that both Natalie and Carl Rogers saw value in their use, and suggests synergy between psychedelics and person-centered psychotherapy: both appear to increase openness to experience, facilitate revision of the self-concept, and support increased congruence. The paper encourages the person-centered community to engage with psychedelic research to improve psychotherapy practice.