Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Program

The Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Program at the UTHealth Houston Center for Interventional Psychiatry is focused on the scientific study and responsible clinical investigation of psychedelic compounds as potential treatments for mood disorders, including treatment-resistant depression and bipolar spectrum conditions. The program is embedded within the broader research mission of the Center and the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and emphasizes rigorous research design, ethical oversight, and patient safety.

Program Overview and Research Alignment

Thomas D. Meyer, PhD, directs the program. His work includes clinical research on mood disorders and explores innovative treatment approaches, including therapist-assisted use of psychedelic compounds within structured clinical trials. Research efforts also address broader questions in mood disorder intervention, such as psychosocial support strategies and outcomes measurement.

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy at the Center is offered only within approved research protocols and is not currently part of routine clinical practice. Participation is limited to individuals who meet eligibility criteria for specific studies and who provide informed consent under strict oversight from institutional review boards and research governance.

Research Focus and Therapeutic Framework

The program’s research agenda includes:

  • Therapist-assisted psychedelic interventions, including multi-site clinical trials
  • Investigation of safety, tolerability, and therapeutic mechanisms
  • Assessment of psychological experiences and outcomes related to psychedelic use
  • Development of structured preparation, dosing, and integration protocols
  • Evaluation of psychosocial and functional outcomes in mood disorder populations

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy uses a comprehensive therapeutic framework involving:

  1. Preparation sessions to establish therapeutic alliance and treatment expectations
  2. Supervised dosing or intervention sessions conducted in controlled research settings
  3. Integration sessions to help participants process and apply insights gained during the intervention

This model ensures that psychological support is woven throughout the research protocol, not limited to the moment of pharmacologic administration.

Safety, Oversight, and Ethical Considerations

Participant safety and scientific validity are core priorities. All studies are conducted under:

  • Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval
  • Regulatory oversight and compliance with federal and state requirements
  • Careful screening protocols to assess appropriateness and risk
  • Continuous clinical monitoring throughout the research process

Potential risks, benefits, and alternatives are reviewed comprehensively with participants before enrollment and throughout follow-up.

Contribution to Clinical and Scientific Mission

The Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Program aligns with the Center’s mission to advance innovative, evidence-based treatments for severe psychiatric illness. In collaboration with PIRL-M and other departmental research programs, it contributes to:

  • Advancing scientific understanding of novel therapeutic pathways
  • Training clinicians and researchers in emerging areas of interventional psychiatry
  • Informing future clinical applications for refractory mood disorders through high-quality evidence

Through this carefully controlled, multidisciplinary, and ethically grounded research program, the Center aims to responsibly explore the potential role of psychedelic-assisted therapies in improving outcomes for individuals with complex mood disorders.