Polina Catzeflis

Südhang Clinic, Kirchlindach, Switzerland.

2 papers in the library · 5 citations · publishing 2026

Papers

Psychological Therapy Quantity and Depressive Symptom Reduction in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

JAMA network open January 2, 2026 Gianluca Andri Florineth, Isabell Klima, Anna Laura Boeker et al. 5 citations

In a systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 controlled clinical trials involving 733 adults with depressive symptoms, psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) with psilocybin or LSD produced a large overall reduction in depressive symptoms compared to control conditions. More hours of preparation therapy before the psychedelic session were significantly linked to greater symptom reduction. However, the number of post-dosing integration therapy hours, total therapy sessions, and longer follow-up periods were not associated with better outcomes. Most studies had high risk of bias due to ineffective blinding. The findings suggest that preparation therapy may be a key component in optimizing PAT outcomes, but further research is needed.

DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2025.54843 Full text

Psychedelic-assisted therapy: a survey on the clinical methods of Swiss physicians.

Therapeutic advances in psychopharmacology January 1, 2026 Kristian Beichmann, Polina Catzeflis, Helena D Aicher et al.

In Switzerland, physicians provide psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) with psilocybin, LSD, or MDMA under case-by-case exemptions from the Federal Office of Public Health. An anonymous survey of 41 physicians found that PAT is used mainly for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain. Most physicians work in private practices (82%) and use body-oriented (61%), psychodynamic (59%), and eclectic (54%) approaches. Psilocybin is the most used substance (85%), followed by MDMA (71%) and LSD (65.9%). Substance choice is linked to diagnosis: psilocybin for depression (54%) and substance use disorder (46%), MDMA for PTSD (86%) and anxiety (54%). Music is played in 90% of sessions. Group therapy is common; 42% provide both individual and group settings. Challenges include legal constraints, high patient expectations, and financial barriers.

DOI: 10.1177/20451253261448745 Full text LSD MDMA Psilocybin Psychedelic therapy +5