Topics of Interest
The Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (PATH) Lab studies whether psychedelic-assisted therapy works, how it works, and for whom it is most effective and safe. Across clinical trials and real-world studies, we examine therapeutic outcomes, psychological and psychotherapeutic mechanisms of change, and individual differences that shape both benefit and risk. A central aim of this work is to understand how psychedelic-assisted therapy is delivered in practice, and how variability in treatment approach, clinical presentation, and context influences outcomes. Together, these efforts aim to refine, personalize, and optimize psychedelic-assisted therapy as a mental health intervention.
Does psychedelic-assisted therapy work and is it safe?
We examine whether psychedelic-assisted therapy leads to meaningful and sustained improvements in mental health and well-being, alongside careful evaluation of safety and potential harms. One way we address these questions is through clinical trials that assess both therapeutic outcomes and adverse events under controlled conditions. In parallel, our lab places particular emphasis on real-world effectiveness studies that examine how psychedelic-assisted therapy performs in naturalistic settings. These studies allow us to assess treatment outcomes, safety-related risks, and how variability in treatment approach relates to therapeutic response outside of tightly controlled research environments, providing a more complete picture of the benefits and limitations of psychedelic-assisted therapy as it is delivered in practice.
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How does psychedelic-assisted therapy work?
We investigate the psychological and therapeutic processes that drive change in psychedelic-assisted therapy, with a specific interest in the role of psychotherapy in shaping treatment outcomes. Our research focuses on processes such as therapeutic alliance, psychological flexibility, experiential avoidance, and self-compassion as potential mechanisms of improvement. To study these processes, our program integrates innovative methodological approaches, including observer-based coding, idiographic approaches, behavioural tasks, and multimodal neurophysiology. Together, these methods allow us to identify specific patient- and therapist-level variables that facilitate change in psychedelic-assisted therapy.
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For whom does psychedelic-assisted therapy work?
We examine which individuals are most likely to benefit from psychedelic-assisted therapy, as well as who may be at greater risk for adverse effects or symptom worsening. Our work includes studying outcomes among people with complex clinical presentations, including personality disorders, trauma-related difficulties, and elevated suicide risk. A central focus of this research is understanding how individual differences and clinical characteristics shape both treatment outcomes and safety.
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