The therapeutic alliance between study participants and intervention facilitators is associated with acute effects and clinical outcomes in a psilocybin-assisted therapy trial for major depressive disorder
PLoS ONE March 14, 2024 Adam W Levin, Rafaelle Lancelotta, Nathan D Sepeda et al. 65 citations
In a small randomized trial of psilocybin-assisted therapy for adults with major depressive disorder, the therapeutic alliance between participants and facilitators strengthened from the final preparation session to one week after the intervention. A stronger alliance before the psilocybin sessions predicted lower depression scores at 4 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months afterward. Stronger alliance also correlated with more intense mystical experiences and psychological insight during the drug sessions, which in turn predicted better depression outcomes. The findings suggest the therapeutic relationship is important for treatment success.