Australian clinicians hold mixed views on psychedelic-assisted therapy. A survey of mental health professionals found that while many acknowledge potential therapeutic benefits for conditions such as depression and PTSD, concerns remain about safety, regulatory frameworks, and lack of training. The majority supported further research but were cautious about immediate clinical implementation, with attitudes varying by professional background and prior knowledge of psychedelics.
Three-quarters of 254 mental health consumers surveyed in Australia expressed a desire to access psychedelic-assisted therapies (PATs) following government approval of MDMA for PTSD and psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression. Acceptability scores showed strong agreement about PAT effectiveness, moderate social endorsement, and mixed feelings about expected efficacy. While prior recreational psychedelic use was linked to higher acceptability, multivariate analysis revealed that intentions to access PAT were more strongly associated with higher acceptability scores and poorer experiences with conventional therapy. Consumers seeking alternatives to conventional treatment may view PATs as desirable despite safety reservations.