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Deanna M. Kaplan

Emory Center for Psychedelics and Spirituality, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30329

4 papers in the library · 39 citations · publishing 2024-2025

Papers

A framework for assessment of adverse events occurring in psychedelic-assisted therapies

Journal of Psychopharmacology July 31, 2024 Roman Palitsky, Deanna M. Kaplan, John Perna et al. 32 citations

A multidisciplinary working group identified 54 potential adverse events that warrant systematic assessment in psychedelic-assisted therapies, finding that existing measurement tools substantially fail to cover these constructs. The group developed recommendations for when and how to assess these adverse events across preparation, dosing, integration, and follow-up phases, and demonstrated a preliminary assessment protocol. The framework addresses the need to capture post-acute dosing adverse events, accounting for both the pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy components of psychedelic-assisted therapy, as well as documented impacts on worldviews and spirituality.

A Framework for Assessment of Adverse Events Occurring in Psychedelic Assisted Therapies

March 5, 2024 Roman Palitsky, Deanna M. Kaplan, John Perna et al. 4 citations preprint

A multidisciplinary working group identified 53 potential adverse events (AEs) specific to psychedelic-assisted therapies (PATs) that current assessment tools miss. Existing measures cover only a fraction of these constructs. The group recommends new assessment methods—including patient, clinician, and informant reports—and specifies when to measure AEs across preparation, dosing, integration, and follow-up phases. The framework addresses gaps in capturing post-acute dosing effects, including changes in worldview and spirituality, which distinguish PAT from other treatments.

What motivates spiritual health practitioners in psychedelic-assisted therapy? A qualitative study and implications for facilitator training practices

Psychedelics April 29, 2025 Ishan Pasricha, Caroline Peacock, Roman Palitsky et al. 3 citations

Spiritual health practitioners (healthcare chaplains) increasingly facilitate psychedelic-assisted therapy. A qualitative study of 15 such practitioners (60% female, average age 46.57) found two main themes: initial motivations and ongoing sources of meaning. Personal psychedelic experiences were a key initial motivator. Ongoing fulfillment came from witnessing healing in others and positive personal impacts of facilitating care. Personal experiences provide valuable firsthand knowledge of psychedelic phenomenology but may introduce bias. Training guidelines from the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education, emphasizing self-literacy and reflection, may help address these risks. The authors introduce a reflective learning exercise based on these findings.

Reading the crowd: attitudes toward psychedelics and psychedelic therapies among attendees at a conference

Psychedelics. December 17, 2024 Zachary Bosshardt, Jessica L. Maples‐keller, Deanna M. Kaplan et al.

Attendees at a conference on psychedelics and spiritual care generally agreed that microdosing may have benefits and expressed modest concern about potential harm from therapeutic psychedelic use. Among 178 survey respondents, 40.2% agreed or strongly agreed that psychedelics could be harmful therapeutically, while 30.7% were unsure. A subset of 32 psychedelic care facilitators reported using psychedelics to treat a wide range of diagnoses with diverse psychotherapy approaches and endorsed a need for cultural adaptations in psychedelic treatments.