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Further education in psychedelic-assisted therapy – experiences from Switzerland

Summary

As psychedelic drugs show promise in treating serious mental health conditions like depression and PTSD, there is growing need to train therapists to safely administer these novel treatments. Switzerland’s leading medical association has developed a comprehensive three-year training program that combines classroom learning with hands-on practice to prepare doctors and psychologists. The program faces overwhelming demand, with far more people wanting to train than available spots, highlighting the urgent need for more specialized education programs as these treatments potentially become mainstream medications.

Background

Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) for psychiatric disorders including treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and anxiety is gaining clinical interest. Switzerland has been at the forefront, granting over 1795 exemptions for limited medical use of LSD, MDMA, and psilocybin since 2014. The growing clinical application has created an urgent need for specialized therapist training.

Objective

This article presents an overview of the structure, framework, and content of the three-year training program offered by the Swiss Medical Association for Psychedelic Therapy (SÄPT) to prepare physicians and psychologists to safely and competently conduct PAT. The paper addresses the gap between training supply and growing demand for qualified therapists.

Results

The first training cohort (2018-2022) with 24 trainees demonstrated high commitment and identified the need for extended training. The current expanded program includes doubled training days and broader content coverage. Demand for the program far exceeds capacity, with over ten times more applicants than available places. The training emphasizes both theoretical understanding and practical skill development including therapeutic presence, ethical considerations, and management of altered states.

Conclusion

Specialized, accredited training programs are essential for safe and effective PAT administration as these treatments potentially become regulated medications. The paper advocates for dynamic, evolving training models that can adapt to regulatory changes and growing demand, with establishment of certification standards and quality assurance mechanisms to ensure therapeutic competence and patient safety.
  • Published in:BMC Medical Education,
  • Study Type:Review/Educational Program Description,
  • Source: PMID: 40045361, DOI: 10.1186/s12909-025-06871-y
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