Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41958148›Full record

ReviewBrain and behavior2026

Not a Standalone Treatment: Considerations for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy.

Sharon Murphy, Elizabeth Stewart, Jacqueline Winship, Laura Kampel, Benjamin Stiel, Justine Ellis

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Brain and behavior, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Sharon MurphyRamsay Clinic Northside, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia.
Elizabeth StewartRamsay Clinic Northside, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia.
Jacqueline WinshipRamsay Clinic Northside, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia.
Laura KampelRamsay Clinic Northside, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia.
Benjamin StielRamsay Clinic Northside, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia.
Justine EllisRamsay Clinic Northside, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6559-9571

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposePsychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is becoming a clinically available treatment for patients with treatment-resistant conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in several countries. As PAT transitions from research settings into routine clinical practice, there is a growing need for coherent clinical frameworks and evidence-based guidelines to support its safe, effective, and integrated delivery. This paper examines how external therapists and psychiatrists can best support patients throughout the PAT journey; the different models for involving external therapists in PAT; the challenges and opportunities associated with collaboration between external therapists and PAT teams; beneficial characteristics of external therapy; and priority areas for future research.

methodA literature review was conducted, including empirical studies, theoretical papers, and position statements that explored the role of external therapies alongside PAT. This information was integrated with multidisciplinary clinical experiences to develop a series of guiding principles and practical considerations for clinicians.

findingsThere is currently no cohesive framework to guide collaboration or care coordination between external therapists and PAT teams. The review suggests that PAT should not generally be conceptualized as a standalone treatment for patients with treatment-resistant conditions. External therapists play a critical role across preparation, dosing, and integration phases, contributing to patient safety, continuity of care, and therapeutic integration. Models for involving external therapists in PAT are identified, each with opportunities and challenges. Practical strategies are outlined to mitigate risks and address challenges associated with interprofessional collaboration. Further research is required to refine clinical frameworks and inform best practices.

conclusionWhile scientific and public narratives often portray PAT as a discrete or self-contained intervention, clinical practice indicates it is most effective when embedded within a broader, integrated therapeutic process. Effective collaboration between external therapists and PAT teams is essential to maximize therapeutic outcomes and ensure patient safety.

Indexed as

HallucinogensPsychotherapyStress Disorders, Post-TraumaticHumansPsychiatristsHallucinogensdepressionpsychedelicspsychotherapyPTSD

Identifiers

PMID41958148
PMCPMC13066719

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.