Frontiers in Psychology
June 2, 2022
William Brennan, William Brennan, Alexander B. Belser
86 citations
A new framework called EMBARK provides a transdiagnostic, trans-drug approach to psychotherapy in psychedelic-assisted treatment. Existing models fall into basic support or evidence-based therapy categories, but both lack adequate attention to embodied, relational, and ethical elements. EMBARK addresses these gaps with six clinical domains for supporting therapeutic benefit and four care cornerstones for ethical responsibility, guiding interventions across preparation, medicine, and integration sessions. The model also standardizes therapist training and is already adopted in several clinical trials, aiming to improve research standardization and clarify which factors drive treatment outcomes.
Frontiers in Psychology
June 2, 2022
William Brennan, William Brennan, Alexander B. Belser
86 citations
A new framework called EMBARK provides a transdiagnostic, trans-drug approach to psychotherapy in psychedelic-assisted treatment. Existing models fall into basic support or evidence-based therapy categories, but both lack adequate attention to embodied, relational, and ethical elements. EMBARK addresses these gaps with six clinical domains for supporting therapeutic benefit and four care cornerstones for ethical responsibility, guiding interventions across preparation, medicine, and integration sessions. The model also standardizes therapist training and is already adopted in several clinical trials, aiming to improve research standardization and clarify which factors drive treatment outcomes.
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.)
December 1, 2023
William Brennan, Alex R Kelman, Alexander B Belser
43 citations
Psychedelic-assisted therapy has attracted considerable interest, but poor reporting of psychosocial interventions (PIs) in clinical trials obscures their role in treatment outcomes. This systematic review of 33 published psychedelic clinical trials since 2000 found that many reports omitted basic details: 33% did not report the number of sessions, 45% did not report session duration, 42% did not report provider credentials, 52% did not report use of a therapy manual, 64% did not reference an available manual, and 82% did not report assessing treatment fidelity. Compared with non-psychedelic trials, psychedelic trial reports underreport key PI items. The review indicates that underreporting is a widespread problem and recommends improved reporting practices to enhance research standardization and treatment outcomes.
Psychiatr Res Clin Pract
February 11, 2025
Jules Evans, Marc Aixalà, Brian T. Anderson et al.
18 citations
Thirty psychedelic researchers identified critical gaps in knowledge about harms from psychedelic use, including how to define those harms, predict them, and treat them effectively. They recommend better online information, peer support groups, affordable therapy, and psychiatric consultation for people experiencing post-psychedelic difficulties. The researchers also call for improved funding for a psychedelic safety net, suggesting that psychedelic philanthropists, investors, and companies commit 1% of their investment to support safety measures such as research and support services. The article outlines practical steps to make the field of psychedelic medicine safer.
Frontiers in psychology
January 1, 2025
William Brennan, Melissa Field, Catherine Schon et al.
The EMBARK training program for session monitors in clinical trials of psychedelic treatments was developed iteratively by Cybin, Inc. The program has been used in two completed and three ongoing clinical trials. This article describes the three phases of development, including core components, successes, lessons learned, and rationale for changes. The most recent iteration, EMBARKCT, used in Phase 3 trials, incorporates artificial intelligence with expert human oversight to identify when session monitors need additional support and training. Recommendations for the field are also discussed.