Integrating Holistic Communication into Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies in Hospice and Palliative Care: An Approach Based on Peplau's Theory.
Journal of holistic nursing : official journal of the American Holistic Nurses' Association September 3, 2025 Ana Cláudia Mesquita Garcia, Felipe Teixeira, Lucas Oliveira Maia
Nursing's Peplau's Theory of Interpersonal Relations can be applied to psychedelic-assisted therapy in hospice and palliative care to guide therapeutic communication. The theory's concepts of person, health, environment, and nursing, along with its phases of the nurse-patient relationship and view of anxiety as a signal of unmet needs, align with the preparation, dosing, and integration phases of psilocybin-assisted therapy. A fictional case study of a patient with advanced cancer illustrates how nurses can support emotional processing, foster insight, and promote personal growth. This integration highlights nursing's contribution to developing safe, ethical, and compassionate psychedelic care for patients facing life-limiting illness.