Harvard CME – Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Conference 2026

5th Annual Clinical Conference | Videos + PDFs

Explore one of the most rapidly evolving areas of contemporary mental healthcare with the Harvard CME – Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Conference 2026, a comprehensive clinical program examining the science, therapeutic frameworks, clinical complexities, safety considerations, and emerging evidence surrounding psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP).

This 5th Annual Clinical Conference brings together clinicians and experts to explore psychedelic therapy through clinical cases, patient scenarios, research updates, multidisciplinary discussions, and expert panels.

Rather than focusing only on theoretical concepts, the program examines the practical realities clinicians may encounter when working with psychedelic-assisted approaches—including non-ordinary states of consciousness, somatic experiences, spirituality, ego dissolution, difficult experiences, therapeutic setting, patient safety, and interdisciplinary care.

Course Information

Course: Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Conference 2026
Edition: 5th Annual Clinical Conference
Dates: February 26–27, 2026
Original Format: Live Online + In Person
Course Materials: Video Presentations + PDFs
Developed by: Harvard Medical School Teaching Hospitals
Offered by: Cambridge Health Alliance
Specialty: Psychiatry • Psychology • Psychotherapy • Mental Health

Course Overview

Interest in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy has expanded considerably across psychiatry, psychology, neuroscience, and behavioral medicine.

At the same time, the field presents complex clinical questions.

How should clinicians approach set and setting? What happens when patients experience profound somatic, spiritual, existential, or emotionally challenging states? How should adverse experiences be recognized and managed? How can clinicians maintain an appropriate therapeutic framework while navigating highly subjective experiences?

The 2026 Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Conference addresses these questions through a clinically focused examination of current evidence and practice.

Participants can explore both foundational concepts and more challenging aspects of PAP while considering the importance of ethical practice, harm reduction, therapeutic boundaries, multidisciplinary collaboration, and patient safety.

What You’ll Learn

The program provides an opportunity to strengthen your understanding of how to:

• Describe the fundamental principles and therapeutic structure of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
• Review medicines commonly discussed within PAP and their clinical contexts.
• Examine contemporary evidence surrounding psychedelic-assisted interventions.
• Understand the importance of preparation, set, setting, therapeutic support, and integration.
• Recognize emotional experiences involving grief, awe, fear, vulnerability, and profound personal meaning.
• Explore spiritual, existential, religious, and metaphysical experiences that may arise during treatment.
• Examine somatic experiences occurring during psychedelic sessions.
• Understand the concept and clinical implications of ego dissolution.
• Compare Western clinical frameworks with Indigenous perspectives on non-ordinary states of consciousness.
• Recognize potentially difficult or adverse psychedelic experiences.
• Explore strategies intended to reduce harm and support patient safety.
• Understand the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Examine non-directive therapeutic approaches used in psychedelic-assisted sessions.
• Analyze complicated clinical situations through cases and expert discussions.

Major Areas Covered

Foundations of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy

Build a stronger understanding of:

• PAP methodology
• Therapeutic structure
• Commonly discussed psychedelic medicines
• Preparation and integration
• Therapeutic relationships
• Clinical frameworks
• Patient selection considerations

Set & Setting

Explore the importance of the psychological, interpersonal, and environmental context surrounding psychedelic experiences.

Topics include:

• Patient expectations
• Therapeutic environment
• Emotional preparation
• Psychological safety
• Clinician presence
• Overlooked aspects of set and setting

Clinical Outcomes & Emerging Evidence

Review evolving scientific evidence surrounding psychedelic-assisted approaches and consider how new findings may affect future psychiatric and psychotherapeutic practice.

Somatic Experiences

Psychedelic experiences may include significant bodily and somatic phenomena.

The conference examines how clinicians can conceptualize these experiences within the broader therapeutic process while maintaining appropriate clinical awareness and patient support.

Spiritual, Religious & Existential Experiences

One of the more complex dimensions of psychedelic psychotherapy involves experiences patients may interpret as:

• Spiritual
• Mystical
• Religious
• Existential
• Transpersonal
• Metaphysical

The program explores how clinicians can engage with these experiences without imposing interpretations or personal belief systems.

Ego Dissolution & Non-Ordinary States

Through case-based discussions, participants can examine experiences involving changes in:

• Sense of self
• Personal identity
• Perception
• Emotional processing
• Conscious awareness

These sessions help contextualize the phenomenon commonly described as ego dissolution.

Safety, Risks & Difficult Experiences

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is not without potential risks.

A major component of responsible clinical education involves understanding how difficult experiences may emerge and how clinicians can appropriately respond.

Topics include:

• Challenging psychedelic experiences
• Psychological distress
• Unexpected emotional reactions
• Potential adverse effects
• Risk recognition
• Harm-reduction principles
• Patient monitoring
• Therapeutic boundaries
• Clinical decision-making

Western & Indigenous Perspectives

The conference also examines different conceptual frameworks surrounding altered and non-ordinary states of consciousness.

Participants can compare elements of contemporary Western clinical models with perspectives informed by Indigenous traditions while considering important cultural, historical, and ethical questions.

Multidisciplinary Psychedelic Care

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy may involve professionals from multiple disciplines.

The program explores collaboration between:

Psychiatrists • Psychologists • Physicians • Nurses • Therapists • Social Workers • Researchers • Other Mental Health Professionals

The goal is to better understand how interdisciplinary communication can contribute to coordinated and responsible patient care.

2026 Conference Program

Day 1 — Thursday, February 26, 2026

Foundations, Clinical Outcomes & Therapeutic Experience

Key sessions include:

Back to Basics: The Method and Medicines of PAP

Review foundational concepts, therapeutic structure, and medicines associated with psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

Clinical Outcomes of Psychedelic Therapy

Examine evolving clinical evidence and reported therapeutic outcomes.

Neglected Considerations for Set & Setting

Explore environmental, psychological, relational, and contextual factors that may influence psychedelic experiences.

Somatic Experiences in Psychedelic Therapy

Examine bodily and somatic phenomena that may emerge during psychedelic-assisted sessions.

Religious & Spiritual Perspectives in PAP

Consider how clinicians can navigate spiritual, religious, existential, and transpersonal experiences within an appropriate therapeutic framework.

Case Discussions & Expert Panels

Apply concepts to complex scenarios through expert-led discussion.

Day 2 — Friday, February 27, 2026

Clinical Complexities, Safety & Emerging Applications

Western vs. Indigenous Approaches to Psychedelic Experiences

Compare different frameworks for understanding non-ordinary states of consciousness.

Ego Dissolution Case Studies

Explore clinical cases involving profound alterations in self-perception and identity.

Managing Difficult or Adverse Psychedelic Experiences

Review clinical considerations surrounding challenging experiences, risk recognition, harm reduction, and patient support.

Psychedelic-Boosted Behavioral Therapy for OCD

Explore emerging research examining how psychedelic approaches may intersect with established behavioral therapies.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration in PAP

Understand the roles of different healthcare professionals within psychedelic-assisted treatment models.

Clinical Complexities in Psychedelic Therapy

Examine difficult clinical scenarios and nuanced therapeutic considerations through cases and expert discussion.

Who Is This Course For?

This educational program is relevant to healthcare and mental health professionals interested in the developing field of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, including:

• Psychiatrists
• Psychologists
• Primary Care Physicians
• Mental Health Clinicians
• Psychotherapists
• Social Workers
• Counselors
• Nurses
• Researchers
• Other healthcare professionals interested in psychedelic medicine

Why This Conference Is Important

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy sits at the intersection of psychiatry, psychotherapy, neuroscience, consciousness research, pharmacology, spirituality, and behavioral medicine.

As research develops, clinicians need more than a basic understanding of psychedelic compounds.

Responsible practice also requires consideration of the therapeutic environment, psychological preparation, integration, patient vulnerability, challenging experiences, cultural context, ethical boundaries, and potential adverse effects.

The 2026 Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Conference provides a multidisciplinary framework for examining these issues while connecting emerging research with real-world clinical complexities.

Key Benefits

✓ Comprehensive PAP Education — Review foundational principles alongside complex clinical considerations.

✓ Videos + PDF Materials — Study the conference presentations and accompanying educational resources.

✓ Clinical Case-Based Learning — Examine practical scenarios, clinical vignettes, and challenging therapeutic encounters.

✓ Current Research Updates — Explore evolving evidence surrounding psychedelic-assisted interventions.

✓ Safety-Focused Education — Review risks, difficult experiences, harm reduction, and patient-safety considerations.

✓ Beyond Pharmacology — Examine set and setting, spirituality, somatic experiences, ego dissolution, and integration.

✓ Multidisciplinary Perspective — Understand PAP through psychiatry, psychology, psychotherapy, medicine, and behavioral health.

✓ Emerging Clinical Applications — Explore developing approaches involving PTSD, OCD, and other areas of mental healthcare.

Harvard CME – Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Conference 2026

5th Annual Clinical Conference

VIDEO PRESENTATIONS + PDF MATERIALS

February 26–27, 2026

Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy • Psychiatry • Psychotherapy • Psychedelic Medicine • Psilocybin • Clinical Research • Set & Setting • Integration • Harm Reduction • Mental Health

A comprehensive educational resource for professionals seeking a deeper understanding of the science, clinical practice, therapeutic complexities, safety considerations, and evolving future of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.