{"id":283,"date":"2026-09-24T18:29:14","date_gmt":"2026-09-24T18:29:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/routledgelearning.com\/communitymentalhealth\/?p=283"},"modified":"2026-10-08T15:41:23","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T15:41:23","slug":"chapter-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/routledgelearning.com\/communitymentalhealth\/chapter-4\/","title":{"rendered":"Chapter 4"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Chapter 4<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

A Social Justice Perspective on Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy in Community Mental Health<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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Chapter Overview<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Psychedelics have re-emerged in this century as a popular substance to use by people of different ages and socio-economic status. The reasons for use vary between recreational and treatment focused. The Controlled Substance Act of 1970, signed by then President Nixon, created a ban on the use of these substances in the United States but advocates have found reason to revisit the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics in both physical and behavioral healthcare settings but at what cost. Is the research conducted a true representation of potential consumers? Is history repeating itself in current research practices? This chapter seeks to take a social justice approach to understanding the modern-day implementation of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy as a modality of treatment in community based mental health clinics with a special focus on treating race-based trauma experienced by Black and Indigenous people of color (BIPOC). Emerging research reveals Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy as an effective form of treatment for common mental health conditions such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, in effort to gain better understanding of the outcome scholars have noted and uncovered inequities that exist within the research and implementation of treatment. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Reflective Questions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Designed to encourage critical thinking, real-world application, and meaningful discussion.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. What distinguishes psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy from traditional pharmacological treatment?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. How does the concept of \u201cset and setting\u201d relate to trauma-informed practice?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. What ethical concerns arise when integrating psychedelic therapies into community systems?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Resource Connect<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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    Links to professional standards, policy frameworks, and cross-referenced chapters that support deeper exploration.content.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    FDA Regulatory Updates<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2026). Psychedelic drugs: Considerations for clinical investigations\u2014Guidance for industry<\/em><\/a>. This final guidance, issued in July 2026, addresses trial design, safety monitoring, psychotherapy-related considerations, informed consent, and other issues unique to the clinical development of psychedelic drugs. It replaces the FDA\u2019s 2023 draft guidance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The FDA also maintains a central Psychedelic Drugs information page<\/a> containing regulatory guidance, public meetings, research initiatives, and federal updates.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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    State-Level Legalization, Decriminalization, and Regulation<\/h4>\n\n\n\n