Meaning and Purpose Therapy Modified for Psilocybin (P-MaP): A Treatment Model for Palliative Care Patients

Abstract

Research has demonstrated that psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) can reduce anxiety, depression, and demoralization in patients with life-threatening illness. Although PAT routinely produces experiences that are spiritually or existentially meaningful, psychotherapeutic modalities that address spiritual, existential, religious, and theological (SERT) concerns remain underexplored in PAT. In this article, we introduce a novel, manualized approach to psychosocial support in PAT, Meaning and Purpose Therapy Modified for Psilocybin (P-MaP), which was adapted from the original Meaning and Purpose therapy for a multicenter clinical trial for demoralized adults near the end of life. Through the discussion of an amalgamated clinical vignette derived from experiences in this trial, we explore how principles of professional spiritual care can expand and advance psychosocial support in PAT for patients with serious and life-threatening medical illness.

Continuing Education Information

1 CE Credit, Instructional Level: Intermediate

1 Contact Hour (New York Board of Psychology)

Disclosures: This work was supported by grants to the Lundquist Institute for Biomedical Innovation at Harbor-UCLA from the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, the Samberg Family Foundation, and the Norris Foundation. Generative AI was not used for the development or content of this presentation.

Learning Objectives:

1. Identify the benefits of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) for patients with life-threatening illness
2. Prepare to support patients with the novel treatment adaptation: Meaning and Purpose Therapy Modified for Psilocybin (P-MaP)
3. Describe how principles of professional spiritual care can enrich psychosocial support for patients with serious medical illness

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