Hypnosis Versus Psychedelic Therapy: An Ethical Quandary?

Advanced students of hypnosis and/or psychotherapy will learn to tease out any ethical dilemmas inherent in choosing between the use of hypnosis and/or psychedelic therapy in the clinical setting. Students will learn determining factors for decision making when offering options for therapeutic care that may include hypnosis and/or psychedelic adjuncts. They will learn why such protocols are indicated and/or contraindicated and how to determine appropriate usage of these protocols.

Video-taped and other interview material will be discussed interactively in the session, so that students can then draw conclusions about the ethical merits and detractors in clinical usage of hypnosis/psychedelic therapy. Assessments of states of consciousness will be shared and critiqued interactively as well to determine the most effective use of these instruments in clinical practice with clients/patients employing hypnosis/psychedelic-assisted therapies. Ethical and practical issues regarding the use of assessments in clinical practice will also be explored, including critiquing the choice of hypnosis versus psychedelic modalities based on research data gleaned from the use of assessments

After attending this advanced-level workshop, participants will be able to:

• Identify ethical issues in choosing between the use of hypnosis and/or psychedelic-assisted therapy.
• Cite ethical indications and contraindications for the use of each modality, singly and combined.
• Identify two assessments of states of consciousness and the practical and ethical implications of using them clinically or in determining clinical decision-making on choice of therapeutic protocols.

This program meets APA’s continuing education STANDARD 1.2: Program content focuses on ethical, legal, statutory or regulatory policies, guidelines, and standards that influence psychological practice, education, or research.

This program meets APA’s continuing education GOAL 2: Program will enable psychologists to keep pace with the most current scientific evidence regarding assessment, prevention, intervention, and/or education, as well as important relevant legal, statutory, leadership, or regulatory issues.

General Admission: $30

The Chicago School Alumni/Faculty/Staff: $20

Students: $15

(Please email [email protected] for coupon code)

Refund Policy: 100% of tuition is refundable up to 48 hours before the program. Within 48 hours of the program, and at any point in Homestudy format, tuition is nonrefundable.

Darlene Viggiano, PhD (MFT)

Darlene Viggiano, PhD (MFT) is a certified consultant for the American Society of Clinical Hypnosis and presented for them on the topic of hypnosis and psychedelic therapy in 2022. She has also researched, presented, and done clinical work in the field of hypnosis since 2010. Her engaging style of interactive instruction employs videos, handouts, and group discussion for effective and stimulating workshops.

Dupuis, D., & Veissière, S. (2022). Culture, context, and ethics in the therapeutic use of hallucinogens: Psychedelics as active super-placebos?. Transcultural Psychiatry, 59(5), 571-578.

Glannon, W. (2022). The Ethics of Consciousness. Elements in Bioethics and Neuroethics.

Timmermann, C., Bauer, P. R., Gosseries, O., Vanhaudenhuyse, A., Vollenweider, F., Laureys, S., … & Lutz, A. (2022). A neurophenomenological approach to non-ordinary states of consciousness: hypnosis, meditation, and psychedelics. Trends in Cognitive Sciences.

Target Audience: Healthcare and Mental healthcare professionals, University faculty and students. 

Psychologists. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 1.5 continuing education credits. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is committed to accessibility and non-discrimination in its continuing education activities. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is also committed to conducting all activities in conformity with the American Psychological Association’s Ethical Principles for Psychologists. Participants are asked to be aware of the need for privacy and confidentiality throughout the program. If program content becomes stressful, participants are encouraged to process these feelings during discussion periods. 

Counselors/Clinical Counselors. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available 1.5 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for counselors and clinical counselors.License Number: 197.000159

Social Workers. This program, when attended in its entirety, is available for 1.5 hours of continuing education. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is licensed by the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation (IDFPR) to provide continuing education programming for social workers. License Number: 159.001036

MFTs, LPCCs, and LCSWs. Course meets the qualifications for 1.5 hour of continuing education credit for MFTs, LPCCs, and/or LCSWs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. If you are licensed outside of California please check with your local licensing agency to to determine if they will accept these CEUs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is approved by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences (BBS) to offer continuing education programming for MFTs, LPCCs, LEPs, and/or LCSWs. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is an accredited or approved postsecondary institution that meets the requirements set forth in Sections 4980.54(f)(1), 4989.34, 4996.22(d)(1), or 4999.76(d) of the Code.

Participation Certificate. The Chicago School of Professional Psychology is able to provide students and other participants who simply wish to have documentation of their attendance at the program a participation certificate.

Non Psychologists. Most licensing boards accept Continuing Education Credits sponsored by the American Psychological Association but non-psychologists are recommended to consult with their specific state-licensing board to ensure that APA-sponsored CE is acceptable.

*Participants must attend 100% of the program in order to obtain a Certificate of Attendance.

If participants have special needs, we will attempt to accommodate them. Please address questions, concerns and any complaints to [email protected]. There is no commercial support for this program nor are there any relationships between the CE Sponsor, presenting organization, presenter, program content, research, grants, or other funding that could reasonably be construed as conflicts of interest.