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10-10-24 Cultivating Liberation: Exploration of psychedelic assisted psychotherapy (with a focus on ketamine)

Date: Thursday, October 10, 2024
Time: 9:00 am – 4:30 pm EST

Format: Hybrid

  • Livestream via Zoom, or
  • In person: UNC School of Social Work, 325 Pittsboro Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27516

CE Credit: 6 CEs, read for full information on credit types awarded.
Fees: $90 (scholarships available)

Description: 

This workshop is designed for mental health practitioners interested in using psychedelics, particularly ketamine, in clinical practice, with an emphasis on social justice, social determinants of health, and liberation. Candace Oglesby will provide foundational education in psychedelic-assisted therapy and integration and an overview of current research on practices. Ketamine, a dissociative drug used medically since the 1970s, has shown substantial potential in conjunction with psychological interventions. The workshop will delve into practical aspects such as preparing clients for ketamine treatment, dosing and administration, and understanding the practice. Participants will gain insights into case conceptualization, guiding psychedelic experiences, managing challenging reactions, and employing harm reduction strategies. Small group work will allow participants to practice techniques for client preparation, dosing, and supporting post-treatment integration of insights and emotions. Candace will also share her experiences with these modalities, emphasizing their transformative impact on her psychotherapy practice and how practitioners can engage in current clinical trials, focusing on reducing disparities in mental health care.

Learning Objectives:

At the end of the training participants will be able to:

  1. Describe at least three therapeutic benefits of psychedelic-assisted therapy, particularly ketamine, supported by current research.
  2. Apply at least two techniques to prepare clients for ketamine treatment.
  3. Explain practical aspects of dosing and administration of ketamine to clients.
  4. Demonstrate at least three skills to guide patients through psychedelic experiences and support clients during their sessions.
  5. Apply a harm reduction approach to minimize risks and maximize the therapeutic benefits of psychedelic-assisted therapy.
  6. Practice at least two techniques for helping clients integrate their experiences post-treatment to process insights and emotions that emerge during ketamine sessions.
  7. Explain the concept of liberation in psychedelic-assisted therapy and how to apply this approach to empower clients, promote healing, and address systemic inequities in mental health care.

 

Trainer:Candace Oglesby, LCPC, is a licensed professional counselor, board-approved supervisor in Maryland, and founder of Jurnee Mental Health Consulting, LLC, which provides support and resources to individuals and organizations looking to deepen their understanding of mental health and to marginalized communities. She is also Certificate Program Director and Trainer at Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy at Fluence, which offers certification for mental health practitioners in psychedelic therapy and integration. Trained in Internal Family Systems (IFS) and certified in EMDR, Candace works with diverse adult populations, particularly women of color, addressing substance use addiction and addiction. She also hosts healing circles for black women, creating safe spaces to discuss racial trauma and isolation.   She is a community ambassador for Black Therapist Rock and a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated.

 

References:

  • Argento, E., Goldenberg, S., Deering, K., Lavalley, J., Braschel, M., Bingham, B., & Shannon, K. (2022). Interest in receiving psychedelic-assisted therapy among marginalized women: Implications and findings from a community-based study in Canada. Drug and Alcohol Dependence Reports, 3, 100044-100044. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dadr.2022.100044
  • Bahji, A., Lunsky, I., Gutierrez, G., & Vazquez, G. (2023). Efficacy and safety of four psychedelic-assisted therapies for adults with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, , 1. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2023.2278586
  • Cavarra, M., Falzone, A., Ramaekers, J. G., Kuypers, K. P. C., & Mento, C. (2022). Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy: A systematic review of associated psychological interventions. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 887255-887255. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.887255
  • Drozdz, S. J., Goel, A., McGarr, M. W., Katz, J., Ritvo, P., Mattina, G., Bhat, V., Diep, C., & Ladha, K. S. (2022). Ketamine assisted psychotherapy: A systematic narrative review of the literature. Journal of Pain Research, 15, 1691-1706. https://doi.org/10.2147/JPR.S360733
  • George, D. R., Hanson, R., Wilkinson, D., & Garcia-Romeu, A. (2022). Ancient roots of Today’s emerging renaissance in psychedelic medicine. Culture, Medicine and Psychiatry, 46(4), 890-903. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11013-021-09749-y
  • Goldpaugh, D. D. (2022). Finding the divine within: Exploring the role of the sacred in psychedelic integration therapy for sexual trauma and dysfunction. Sexual and Relationship Therapy, 37(3), 314-323. https://doi.org/10.1080/14681994.2021.1994138
  • Haeny, A. H., Lopez, J., Grigas, P. C., Crouch, M., Davis, A. K., & Williams, M. (2023). Investigating the associations of acute psychedelic experiences and changes in racial trauma symptoms, psychological flexibility, and substance use among People with Racial and Ethnic Minoritized Identities in the United States and Canada. Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment, 149, 209035. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.josat.2023.209035
  • Hutchison, C., & Bressi, S. (2021). Social work and psychedelic-assisted therapies: Practice considerations for breakthrough treatments. Clinical Social Work Journal, 49(3), 356-367. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-019-00743-x
  • Pilecki, B., Luoma, J. B., Bathje, G. J., Rhea, J., & Narloch, V. F. (2021). Ethical and legal issues in psychedelic harm reduction and integration therapy. Harm Reduction Journal, 18(1), 40-40. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12954-021-00489-1
  • Ponomarenko, P., Seragnoli, F., Calder, A., Oehen, P., & Hasler, G. (2023). Can psychedelics enhance group psychotherapy? A discussion on the therapeutic factors. Journal of Psychopharmacology (Oxford), 37(7), 660-678. https://doi.org/10.1177/02698811231155117
  • Strauss, D., de la Salle, S., Sloshower, J., & Williams, M. T. (2022). Research abuses against people of colour and other vulnerable groups in early psychedelic research. Journal of Medical Ethics, 48(10), 728-737. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/medethics-2021-107262
  • Wallace, B., & Rea, K. (2021). Enhancing equity-oriented care in psychedelic medicine: Utilizing the EQUIP framework. The International Journal of Drug Policy, 98, 103429. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2021.103429
  • Yeung, A., Sapirstein, G., Crain, L. D., Cramer, M. A., & Forcen, F. E. (2023). Pharmacotherapy and ketamine assisted psychotherapy for treatment-resistant depression: A patient with lifelong self-doubt and self-criticism. The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, 84(3) https://doi.org/10.4088/JCP.23ct14798

UNC Chapel Hill – Clinical Institute Program

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CE Program Director:

Deborah Barrett, Ph.D, LCSW
dbarrett@unc.edu

CE Program Manager:

Marie Finnigan, M.Ed
finnigan@unc.edu