Navigating Psychedelic Frontiers: Insights from Canadian Social Workers

Background and Purpose: The healing potential of psychedelic substances has re-emerged in recent years in the academic and public discourse, accompanied by a growing body of evidence demonstrating both safety and efficacy as therapeutic applications. The voices of social workers interacting with therapeutic psychedelics in their practice have been missing from this discourse. Researchers have emphasized the unique perspective that social work can bring to this ongoing discussion, particularly concerning social justice and equal access to experimental treatments. The integration of psychedelic substances in clinical work poses various challenges for social workers, for example, navigating regulatory frameworks and ensuring ethical practice.

This paper helps to fill this gap by examining the experiences and perspectives of Canadian social workers regarding the use of therapeutic psychedelics as a form of mental health treatment. The study aimed to explore why and how social workers are incorporating therapeutic psychedelics into their practice, identifying best practices and ethical considerations from their lived experiences. It did so by answering the following research questions:

1) In what ways are Canadian Social workers engaging with the therapeutic usage of psychedelics in their current professional practice and what is their motivation for doing so?

2) What are the best practices for engaging with therapeutic psychedelics in social work practice, as informed by the experiences and perspectives of social workers in a real-world setting?

3) What training and support are needed for ethical practice with the therapeutic usage of psychedelics?

Methods: This research utilized a multiple case study design and heterogenic purposive sampling to gather data from Canadian social workers who interact with psychedelics in different contexts. Participants were recruited through online advertisements and educational programs. Multiple semi-structured interviews were conducted with three participants, and documentation analysis was carried out on training materials, legislative documents, and press items. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded thematically using NVivo software to identify patterns and themes in the data. Each case was analyzed, and individual case reports were written followed by cross-case analysis exploring similarities and differences across cases to support generalisability and theoretical predictions.

Results: Findings reveal diverse approaches to psychedelics among social workers, ranging from harm-reduction strategies to substance-specific interventions. Motivations include addressing the limitations of standard treatments for trauma-related conditions and alignment with personal and professional values. Key concerns revolve around ethical practice and client safety, with adherence to a robust informed consent process alongside clinical decision-making and appropriate use of self as essential. Participants reported a sense of lack of guidance from social work regulatory bodies and fear of professional alienation.

Conclusions and Implications: This study emphasizes the importance of proper training, supervision, and community building for social workers practicing with psychedelics. Adhering to professional guidelines and integrating insights from this research can support in development of an ethical and effective approach. These findings have significant implications for practice, policy, and research, highlighting the need for interdisciplinary collaboration and ethical standards in this emerging field.