Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy Panel Discussion with Dr Rosalind Watts, Ashleigh Murphy-Beiner, Michelle Baker-Jones and Leonie Schneider, moderated by Anya Oleksiuk / Women in Psychedelics Series

Join this evening with pioneers in Psychedelic Research from Imperial College London’s Psychedelic Research Team, as they share their discoveries and insights from the groundbreaking Psilocybin for Depression studies, Psilodep 1 and Psilodep 2. Leonie Schneider, a study participant on Psilodep 2, will share her personal story of healing and transformation. 

The psychedelic research represents one of the most critical initiatives in psychiatry and brain science in recent decades. It indicates incredible promise for treating severe mental health conditions, including depression, PTSD and addiction. We will explore hopes for the future of psychedelic therapy and risks of mass-adoption of psychedelics. 

The discussion will be followed by a Q&A session, so make sure you have your questions ready!

Psilodep 1 explored the use of psilocybin to treat individuals suffering from Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD). The most recent study that finished just before Covid-19 outbreak, Psilodep 2 clinically led by Dr Rosalind Watts, compares Psychedelic Assisted Therapy with antidepressant medication (SSRIs), Escitalopram. This landmark study explores how these treatments differ in their effects on the brain, and how effective they both are at reducing depression symptoms, and increasing connectedness and wellbeing in individuals suffering from Major Depressive Disorder (MDD).

CLICK TO READ MORE: Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College of London 

The profit from the event will go towards the production of The Psychedelic Renaissance - a not-for-profit documentary film about the worldwide re-emergence of the psychedelic movement and the crucial role of psychedelic substances, plants and mushrooms in human culture. The documentary features a broad spectrum of people involved in the psychedelic renaissance including scientists, doctors, researchers, facilitators and users, to provide a clearer understanding of these controversial substances. 

All panellists are contributors to the documentary!

Women in Psychedelics Webinar Series is a regular online event that hosts psychedelic women from around the world. Among them are scientists, researchers, psychiatrists, therapists, artists, bodyworkers and healers.

SPEAKERS

Dr Rosalind Watts

Dr Rosalind Watts is the Clinical Lead of the Imperial College Psilocybin for Depression trial, Psilodep 2. She trained as a clinical psychologist at UCL and practised psychotherapy for six years before joining the Imperial Psychedelic Research Group, led by Robin Carhart-Harris. Rosalind designed the therapy protocol for Psilodep 2, worked as a lead guide alongside three other therapists and was running the day-to-day aspects of the trial.

Rosalind developed a psychedelic therapy model she coined ACE, which stands for, ‘Accept, Connect, Embody’. Based on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and the ‘Psychological Flexibility Model’, she mapped the phenomenological journey that individuals under the influence of a psychedelic go through when they dive into their experience, extract the meaningful lessons to heal, and then integrate and embody them afterwards.

Her qualitative research, exploring the perspectives of participants in several psychedelic research studies, gave rise to her interest in the common theme of ‘connectedness to Self, others, and the world’ as an essential aspect of psychedelic treatment. Rosalind co-hosts the monthly ‘Psychedelic Integration Group’ in London, alongside Michelle Baker Jones.

Ashleigh Murphy-Beiner

Ashleigh Murphy-Beiner is a member of the Psychedelic Research Group at Imperial College London and is an assistant psychologist on the psilocybin for Depression Study “Psilodep 2”.

Ashleigh is also trained as a mindfulness meditation teacher and has assisted in ceremonies in Peru, leading mindfulness sessions developed to support preparation and integration. Alongside her studies, she has also completed further training in embodied therapeutic practices. She is interested in the interdisciplinary application of each of these varied approaches to the therapeutic use of psychedelics.

Ashleigh has also published research examining the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca for treating depression and anxiety and the mechanisms of action involved in ayahuasca’s therapeutic effects. From September she will be a trainee clinical psychologist at the Royal Holloway University of London.

Michelle Baker-Jones

Michelle Baker-Jones is a member of the Psychedelic Research Team at Imperial College London. She was a lead guide on Psilodep 2 trial, which is comparing psilocybin to antidepressants as a form of treatment for depression.

Michelle also offers individual psychedelic integration for people who are struggling to process psychedelic experiences and co-facilitates a monthly Psychedelic Integration group with Rosalind Watts. She is also an integrative psychotherapeutic counsellor in private practice, based in London. 

Leonie Schneider

Leonie Schneider was a participant on the second Psilocybin for Depression study (Psilodep 2) at Imperial College, in December 2019, and is living proof of the impact of these medicines. To say her life was changed is an understatement, and Leonie is now committed to expanding access to these psychedelically assisted therapies and will be starting further studies in September 2020. She is turning her gaze from a policy and research career in connecting people via Internet access, to focusing on connecting people to themselves, each other and the planet through these medicines and therapies. The Internet will no doubt, still play a role.

Leonie is now the Experience Retreats Coordinator for the Psychedelic Society, soon to be known as Alalaho. She has an almost lifelong passion for plant medicines and other psychedelics having experienced first-hand the transformative and life-enhancing effects of these medicines. 

MODERATOR

Anya Oleksiuk

Anya Olekisuk is a Co-Director of the Psychedelic Society UK, leading on video production and curating educational events. She is associated with the Psychedelic Society of the Netherlands and volunteers as a consultant for the Polish Psychedelic Society (Polskie Towarzystwo Psychodeliczne).

In 2017 she founded Triptika Studios, which is a collective of independent filmmakers with interests in health, science, innovative solutions, mental health, drug advocacy, social and racial justice and environment-friendly lifestyles. Anya aims for Triptika Studios to work on projects oriented towards social change and improving human wellbeing.

Anya is the creator, director and producer of The Psychedelic Renaissance - a not-for-profit documentary film about the worldwide re-emergence of the psychedelic movement and the crucial role of psychedelic substances, plants and mushrooms in human culture. 

VISIT OUR WEBSITE: thepsychedelicrenaissance.com

WATCH TRAILER:

OTHER LINKS

Rosalind Watts and Ashleigh Murphy-Beiner speaking at Horizons 2019

Michelle Baker Jones at Breaking Convention 2019

Can Magic Mushrooms Unlock Depression? | Rosalind Watts | TEDxOxford

REFUNDS POLICY: Please note, we do not arrange refunds or exchanges. When possible we encourage reselling on Ticketswap.

ACCESS:  We do our best to include everyone in our events, regardless of health circumstances. If you have access requirements please email the event organiser directly to discuss. Many facilitators are able to offer reduced ticket prices for those truly unable to afford the ticket price. If this applies to you, do please get in touch with the event organiser.

For PSYCHEDELIC KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES please check out the Psychedelic Society website. 

Our facilitators have agreed to our code of conduct. Learn about our procedure for raising concerns

MEMBERS of the Psychedelic Society get a discount off almost all of our events.
Join from £5 a month and become part of this amazing community with invites to special events and more.