The Psychological Support Model in Psilocybin Research: Psychotherapy in Disguise?
Psychiatric Research and Clinical Practice January 14, 2026 Celia Faye Jacobsen, Dea Siggaard Stenbæk, Stig Poulsen et al. 3 citations
The Compass Psychological Support Model (CPSM) used in psilocybin trials is arguably a form of bona fide psychotherapy, not merely psychological support. Its components—psychoeducation, trust, present-moment focus, and client autonomy—align with humanistic-experiential therapies like client-centered and emotion-focused therapy. These methods, such as building therapeutic alliance and reducing experiential avoidance, have established links to improved outcomes in both general psychotherapy and psilocybin treatments. Framing the CPSM as non-therapeutic undermines methodological transparency and may obscure its contribution to efficacy. Recognizing it as psychotherapy could enable optimization of therapist skills and client factors, enhancing treatment outcomes.