The “Third” Eye: Ethics of Video Recording in the Context of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

Mandatory video recording of psychedelic therapy sessions, intended to prevent therapist misconduct, raises serious ethical concerns from the patient perspective that deserve careful consideration. While recording offers benefits such as deterring abuse and providing evidence, it may compromise patient privacy, trust, and the therapeutic environment. The argument that recording is essential for clinician safety is also examined. The paper proposes that informed consent should address patient concerns and that both patients and clinicians should have the option to opt out. Further bioethical analysis and qualitative research on recording practices in psychedelic-assisted therapy are needed.

Study at a glance

Abstract

In light of high-profile cases of sexual assault and other unethical conduct by therapists, recent clinical research involving psychedelic drugs has generally mandated the video recording of therapy sessions. In this paper, I address a gap in the literature by investigating ethical issues related to video recording in the unique context of psychedelic therapy sessions. I begin by summarizing the important benefits and risks related to video recording. I then examine ethical concerns about mandatory recording of psychedelic therapy sessions from a patient perspective and argue that these concerns must be taken seriously by clinicians and researchers. I also examine the view that video recording is essential for clinician safety. Given the legitimacy of concerns from both perspectives, I outline some basic informed consent considerations that could generate dialogue around potential patient concerns and defend the option to opt-out for both patients and clinicians. In conclusion, I underscore the importance of further critical bioethical inquiry and qualitative research regarding video recording practices in the context of psychedelic-assisted therapies.