A systematized review of 83 sources found consensus that adequate preparation before substance-assisted psychotherapy (SAPT) sessions is important for safety and therapeutic effect. Preparatory practices include screening participants, optimizing set and setting, and preparing therapists with appropriate competencies and roles. However, the extent and specific approaches vary across models, and more rigorous qualitative and quantitative research is needed to determine optimal preparation techniques.
Serotonergic psychedelics and entactogens are being studied as adjuncts in substance-assisted psychotherapy (SAPT) for various disorders. SAPT includes three phases: preparation, administration, and integration, where insights from the psychedelic experience are applied to everyday life. A systematised review of 75 publications found that the effects of different therapeutic approaches for integration sessions on outcomes have not been rigorously investigated. Most available evidence lacks empirical data, limiting conclusions about appropriate frameworks. Current clinical studies mostly draw from the humanistic–experiential tradition. Although integration is considered crucial for safe SAPT, there is insufficient evidence to suggest any therapy type is effective for guiding integration sessions.