Hi, it’s Elizabeth here with this month’s Co-Founders' Corner.

The FDA's decision not to approve MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD has sent ripples through the psychedelic research community. However, the landscape of psychedelic research remains vibrant and promising–dozens of pharmaceutical companies are studying a wide array of psychedelic compounds, with a tidal wave of potential treatments in the development pipeline.

Fluence continues to work directly with these drug developers to translate the latest research insights and FDA feedback into robust, high-quality research results. By learning from the FDA's decision, researchers will refine their approaches, conduct more robust studies, and develop safer and more effective treatments for PTSD and other conditions.

For example, one of the main concerns raised was the issue of functional unblinding, where participants could quickly tell whether they had received MDMA or a placebo. Functional unblinding is not inherently a problem in research as long as other factors are controlled. Future research projects will do more to educate and prepare stakeholders for this occurrence. 

Crucially, acceptance of psychedelic therapy requires more than just research, and there is significant and vital progress in the broader field.

Public and stakeholder knowledge is essential, and state programs, such as those that make psilocybin available in Oregon and Colorado, are key to developing trust and expanding the number of clinicians with training in psychedelic therapy. 

Over the last year, Fluence-trained licensed psilocybin facilitators in Oregon, such as Kayli Howard, have provided hundreds of sessions. Each of these sessions has been an opportunity for personal healing and increasing the acceptance of psychedelic therapy.

So, while the FDA's decision may seem like a setback, it's merely a bend in the road. The journey may be longer than initially hoped, but the goal remains clear. We must continue to find effective therapies for those who need them most.

Thanks for reading!

Elizabeth Nielson, Fluence Co-Founder

Join Kelly Sykes, PhD, and Fluence Co-founder Elizabeth Nielson, PhD, for this webinar on the exciting possibility of shifts in attachment relationships in psychedelic therapy. Together, they will explore the transformative potential of psychedelics in the context of attachment theory and cover:

• Attachment Theory and Reorganization

• Memory Systems and Attachment Relationships

• Pre/Post Psychedelic Treatment Dynamics

Attendees will gain valuable insights into how psychedelics may influence attachment styles and memory organization, ultimately contributing to more effective therapeutic interventions. 

Register for the Free Webinar

Date: September 24, 2024
Time: 12:00 pm Eastern

The webinar will be hosted on Zoom, and following the discussion, we will hold a Q&A session.

Core Certification Course

Psychedelic Therapy and Integration (PTI) September 25 – October 30, 2024 Apply before September 18 Psychedelic Therapy and Integration (PTI) October 30, 2024 – December 11, 2024 Apply before October 23 Psychedelic Therapy and Integration (PTI) November 4, 2024 – December 9, 2024 Apply before October 28

Advanced Certification Courses

After completion of the core course, advance to these courses:

Advanced Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy September 17 – December 10, 2024 Apply before September 10 Advanced Psychedelic Integration September 19 – December 5, 2024 Apply before September 12 Advanced Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy January 28, 2025 – April 15, 2025 Apply before January 21

Our live courses consist of smaller classes that dive deeper into particular topics. They are great for those looking to earn continuing education credit. Fluence is approved by APA, ASWB, and NYSED to offer CE for Psychologists, Social Workers, and LMHCs.

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Psychedelics and Psychoanalysis Understand the relationship between psychoanalysis and psychedelics. September 19 – December 19, 2024 Trainer: Jeffrey Guss, MD Apply now Buddhism, Mindfulness & Psychedelic Therapy Explore the intersection between science and spirituality. September 18 – December 4, 2024 Trainers: David Gumpel, MA & Adi Flesher, M.Ed, LP Apply now

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Internal Family Systems & Psychedelics Clinical Consultation Group Discuss psychedelic preparation, dosing, integration work within the discourse of IFS. November 4, 2024 – December 9, 2024 Trainer: Candace Oglesby, LCPC Apply now KAP-Focused Clinical Consultation Group A safe, informative, and supportive place for therapists to discuss their clinical work in KAP. September 24 – December 10, 2024 Trainer: Jayne Gumpel, LCSW Apply now

Psychedelic Medicine Has a Therapy Problem. In this article in The Atlantic, Jonathan Lambert looks at why there needs to be more research on pairing therapy with psychedelic drugs. Read the article →

MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy: The Science Is What Matters. In this Psychiatric Times Mental Health Minute, Fluence co-founder Ingmar Gorman, PhD, looks at why the science behind MDMA-assisted therapy is essential to understanding its potential. Read the article →