A new study conducted by Sunstone Therapies in collaboration with the University of Vermont Conversation Lab has revealed observable markers of therapeutic connection in psychedelic therapy. Published in the Journal of Palliative Medicine, the study analyzed audio and video data from a Phase 2 open-label study examining the effects of psilocybin therapy on cancer patients with major depressive disorder.
During the analysis, trained human coders identified 372 moments of therapeutic connection from 2,074 minutes of video footage. Remarkably, 83% of these moments were identified by at least two coders, and 41% were identified by all three. The coders mainly relied on audible and visual cues to identify these markers, with half of the cues being a combination of both, while the other half were exclusively audible or visual. These findings suggest that it is feasible to observe and quantify the cues and qualities that define moments of therapeutic connection, paving the way for a direct observation coding system for therapist-patient interactions in psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) studies.
Manish Agrawal MD, CEO and Co-founder of Sunstone Therapies, highlighted the significance of these findings, emphasizing that the support provided by therapists during psilocybin sessions is just as crucial as the drug itself. He believes that the study’s results lay the foundation for further research to refine and implement a robust model for therapeutic support in psychedelic therapy. This has implications for therapist training, quality measurement, and responsible and safe delivery of psychedelic therapies.
Sunstone Therapies, founded by a team of oncologists, a business strategist, and a psychologist, aims to address the emotional and mental health needs of cancer patients through the development of psychedelic therapies and modern healing centers. Their approach focuses on treating the mind and heart alongside the physical body as an essential part of the standard of care in medical settings.
This study’s findings hold promise for the field of psychedelic therapy, shedding light on the importance of the therapeutic connection between therapists and patients. By identifying observable markers of this connection, future research can further explore and enhance the effectiveness of psychedelic-assisted therapy. This groundbreaking work has the potential to revolutionize therapist training and improve the delivery of psychedelic therapy, ultimately benefiting patients suffering from various diseases and disorders.
