Author: Talk Therapy Dublin

Psychedelic Assisted Therapy

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Previously I have shared posts on clinical trials abroad linked to the use of MDMA in conjunction with psychotherapy to treat PTSD.

This recent article outlines ongoing Irish research on the use of psilocybin, (the psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms) in conjunction with psychotherapy to help those with treatment resistant depression.

“It’s promising data,” says Dr John Kelly, a psychiatrist and clinical senior lecturer at Trinity College Dublin and Tallaght University Hospital and an investigator with the trial. “It’s going to form the basis for further, larger studies.”

Psychedelics in conjunction with psychotherapy is an area of continued research globally and could provide future treatment options for clients in distress.

This radio clip on RTE may also be of interest.

MDMA assisted therapy

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Previously I have shared articles on the progression of this new approach to treating PTSD that combines pharmacotherapy with psychotherapy.

This 2021 article gives an update on the research and points to some promising possibilities for a new approach to working with PTSD/C-PTSD.

The results of the studies were encouraging. Among participants who received MDMA, 56% no longer met PTSD criteria by the end of the study and, at a 12-month follow-up, that number rose to 67%. Mean change on participants’ Clinician Administered PTSD Scale (CAPS-IV) fell around 45 points. Meanwhile, 23% of participants who received the placebo did not meet criteria for PTSD by the end of the study.

It is worth noting this treatment is not available currently and will require specific training so anyone interested in the area will not be able to access this approach from their psychiatrist or psychotherapist just yet.

The below video discussion with well known psychiatrist and trauma specialist Bessel Van Der Kolk looks at the area in more detail.

Multicultural Orientation (MCO)Training

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Talk Therapy Dublin is collaborating with Outcomes Matter Education and Training to deliver an exciting new Multicultural Orientation Training, that strives to move beyond traditional cultural competency frameworks. This training will be relevant to those who work with diverse and multicultural populations across a wide variety of health, education, community or social care sectors, particularly those in or seeking to enter a role such as counsellor, support worker, psychologist, social worker, or community worker.

This training will introduce you to a process-orientated model of working with diversity, such as race/ethnicity, gender, sexuality, socioeconomic status, physical ability, religion, age as well as other aspects of diverse cultural identities. 

This MCO training moves beyond the competency framework by providing a lifelong developmental trajectory, or ‘way of being on the part of the practitioner. The MCO invites an attitude, offering a way to view and respond to diverse and multicultural presentations. A lens to view and engage with individual’s multicultural identities, values, and beliefs.

The training is highly interactive, involving group work, reflective exercises , case studies, videos and an opportunity to practice the approach in real time using an approach knows as deliberate practice.

Please feel free to make contact if any further information is required.