Psilocybin for Cancer Patients with Comorbid Mental Health Conditions (2 CE)
Course Level: Intermediate
This course is for: Psychologists, Counselors, Social Workers, and Nurses
Course By: Paula Lin, LMFT
Content By: Griffiths, R. R., Johnson, M. W., Carducci, M. A., Umbricht, A., Richards, W. A., Richards, B. D., & Klinedinst, M. A. (2016). Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 30(12), 1181–1197. doi: 10.1177/0269881116675513
Course Description: Patients diagnosed with life-threatening forms of cancer may present with comorbid mental health conditions due to the psychological and emotional distress that is resultant from the respective underlying physical illness. The presence of mental health symptoms can effectively function as treatment barriers. A randomized, double-blind, longitudinal trial was developed and implemented to test the efficacy of psilocybin for psychological and emotional symptom mitigation in patients presenting with life-threatening cancer-types. Patients who received high doses of psilocybin evidenced a clinically significant decrease in depressed mood and anxiety up to 6 months post-treatment.
Learning Objectives:
- Learn about comorbid mental health conditions in patients with life-threatening cancer and the related impact on life-quality and treatment participation
- Review the methods of the randomized double-blind trial
- Understand the statistical outcomes of the study and the related treatment implications for this demographic
Course Outline:
- Read and understand the referenced article Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial
- Review the Course Description and Learning Objectives
- Evaluate and understand the results of the randomized double-blind trial and how the application of these findings may impact mental health treatment for this demographic
- Complete the post-test using the information derived from the article
- Utilize the referenced article to identify answers to questions in the post-test and/or to understand the study limitations and suggested direction for future research endeavors
Approvals:
Board Approvals | American Psychological Association (APA), Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB), NBCC, Florida Board - Social Work, MFT, Counseling, and Psychology, NYSED - Social Work, MFT and Counseling Only, American Academy of Health Care Providers in the Addictive Disorders |
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CE Format | Online, Text-Based |