The Therapeutic Alliance in Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Novel Target for Research and Interventions
Psychedelic Medicine August 18, 2023 Philip Kamilar-Britt, Elana B. Gordis, Mitch Earleywine 15 citations
The therapeutic alliance—the cooperative connection between clients and providers—is a strong predictor of outcomes across many forms of psychotherapy, but its role in psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) has been largely overlooked. Only two publications directly address the alliance in PAT, despite years of recommendations emphasizing it. Adding alliance measures to PAT trials is low-cost and feasible, and clinicians can improve the alliance through simple behaviors like respecting patient autonomy, listening, and addressing practical concerns. Greater focus on the alliance could clarify how PAT works and boost its effectiveness, potentially reducing human suffering more efficiently.