Theoretical framework: psilocybin-assisted therapy as embodied exploration

• Social location is a sociological concept that communicates how one’s unique expression of identity (and thus their embodied experience of reality) is shaped by myriad social facts, including categories of social difference like race, class, and gender

• Embodiment & Somatics: differences according to social location produce variation across experiences, informing how we react and respond; somatic embodiment is a framework for understanding the experiential knowledge of our bodies by bridging the personal, interpersonal, and institutional levels of reality

• Goal of normalizing the spectrum of expressions and sense of self (for seekers); and training facilitators to respond with culturally appropriate, trauma-attuned, gender-affirming support

 

Phase One

• Research 

  • Study 1: “Understanding the potential impact of psilocybin-assisted therapy on individual perceptions of gender and sexuality” 

    • Approved by the Institutional Review Board at Portland State University

    • Goal: this qualitative interview-based study will inform evidence-based educational resource materials for the community: produce best practices for professionals and facilitators; seekers

    • Study progress: now recruiting participants [see recruitment flyer]

    • This study is open to anyone (21+) who has had PAT and wants to talk about gender and sexuality in the context of their experience. Facilitators are welcome to join; you may also consider sharing the flyer with clients, service centers, and community partners-- anyone can scan the QR code link to the screening questionnaire to see if they're a good fit for the study. Interviews are scheduled at your convenience (virtual or in-person), should last about an hour, and offer a 25$ cash incentive for your time and energy. Please direct queries to JaDee’s email: jadee@pdx.edu

    • Study 2: qualitative study based on in-depth interviews with 15 gender diverse participants to understand how identities inform the embodied exploration of psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT). Participants will receive gender-affirming PAT facilitated by the principal researcher, including access to an ongoing integration community.

    • Study progress: now raising funds [see donation link to support this work]

    • Phase Two

    • Program materials

    • Based on the research findings, we will develop evidence-based educational resource materials for the community: produce best practices for professionals and facilitators, as well as seekers

    • Integration group(s), e.g. gender diverse, queer seekers, people of color

    • Phase Three

    • Instructional curriculum (i.e. distance learning, continuing education)

    • Dr. Carathers will develop a protocol for facilitators to learn best practices for culturally appropriate, trauma-attuned, gender-affirming support

    • Takes an intersectional approach to identity and embodiment to aid in serving diverse populations, especially those one may not be a part of, with evidence-based tools rooted in social science research