Psychedelics and the person-centered approach: a call for interest and engagement in psychedelic research
Person-Centered & Experiential Psychotherapies April 6, 2026 DOI: 10.1080/14779757.2026.2651879 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractSince 2006, a renaissance in Western psychedelic research has produced promising findings on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for mental health diagnoses. This paper outlines what classic psychedelics are and how they work in the brain, notes that both Natalie and Carl Rogers saw value in their use, and suggests synergy between psychedelics and person-centered psychotherapy: both appear to increase openness to experience, facilitate revision of the self-concept, and support increased congruence. The paper encourages the person-centered community to engage with psychedelic research to improve psychotherapy practice.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Subconscious Subject documents Perception Object grammar Social psychology |
| Key finding | Psychedelics and person-centered psychotherapy both appear to increase openness to experience, facilitate revision of the self-concept, and support increased congruence. |
Abstract
Since 2006 there has been a renaissance within Western scientific discourse in psychedelic research which has led to some very promising findings about the potential of psychedelic assisted psychotherapy as a ‘treatment’ for a range of mental health ‘diagnoses.’ In calling for our community to take an interest in this research, this paper firstly outlines what psychedelics are, with a focus on the classic psychedelics, and how they work in the brain. It then aims to borrow some credibility for an interest in psychedelics by highlighting that both Natalie and Carl Rogers saw value in their use. The paper then goes on to suggest that there appears to be synergy between how psychedelics support psychotherapy and the processes of person-centered psychotherapy: given the research it appears plausible that both increase openness to experience, facilitate the revision of the self-concept, and ultimately support increased congruence. The paper then outlines how psychedelics could help our community better serve our clients, before finally looking at what the person-centered community, with our knowledge and theory, could offer the field of psychedelic research. The aspiration of this paper is to encourage engagement with psychedelic research, for the overall betterment of the practice of psychotherapy in general.