Participant experiences of therapeutic touch in psilocybin-assisted therapy
R. Ham, John Gardner, Adrian Carter, Paul Liknaitzky
March 21, 2025 preprint DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/ypqa2_v1 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractIn a clinical trial of psilocybin-assisted therapy for generalized anxiety disorder, 18 participants provided longitudinal perspectives on therapeutic touch. Most valued touch, especially after experiencing it during psilocybin dosing sessions. Touch offered connection during intense emotions and could manage the intensity of acute psychedelic experiences. Some attributed direct therapeutic effects to touch, and a strong therapeutic relationship was essential for its effective use. The authors argue that touch application should be individualized and embedded in comprehensive consent, with further research needed on safety and therapist training.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Qualitative study Longitudinal |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 18 |
| Population | Participants in a clinical trial of psilocybin-assisted therapy for generalized anxiety disorder |
| Interventions | Psilocybin-assisted therapy therapeutic touch |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Therapeutic touch Hallucinogen Psychotherapist Psychology |
| Key finding | Most participants valued therapeutic touch during psilocybin-assisted therapy, finding it useful for connection and managing intense experiences, but its application should be individualized and require strong therapeutic relationships and consent. |
Abstract
This study explores therapeutic touch in psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) through the longitudinal perspectives of participants (n = 18) within a large clinical trial of psilocybin-assisted therapy for Generalised Anxiety Disorder. Qualitative and descriptive results show diverse preferences and responses to touch utilisation. Most participants valued touch, particularly after experiencing it first-hand within psilocybin dosing sessions. Participants felt that touch offered connection during intense emotional experiences and could be used strategically to manage the intensity of acute psychedelic experiences. Some attributed direct therapeutic effect to touch. A strong therapeutic relationship was essential for effective use of touch. While touch appears to be a useful clinical tool in PAT, we argue that its application should be individualized and embedded within a comprehensive consent process. Further research on safety and therapist training is needed to support the role of touch in PAT.