Pat Song, Ph.D., is a psychologist practicing in Vermont. She conducts qualitative research on experiences of erotic transference and countertransference in psychedelic-assisted therapy. She has clinical and research training in addiction and trauma and has conducted provider trainings across the US. Most recently Dr. Song has presented on psychedelic literacy and on working with erotic feelings in psychedelic-assisted therapy. She graduated from the psychedelic-assisted therapy programs at CIIS, Fluence KAP Program and PRATI.

Working with Erotic Feelings in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

Sexual boundary violations by practitioners are a recurring and serious problem in psychedelic-assisted therapy. The psychedelic setting can amplify experiences of erotic energy for both participants and practitioners which can be surprising and disorienting. At the same time, participants’ erotic feelings contain valuable clinical information about nonsexual needs, feelings, and experiences of the participant. Learning to manage erotic feelings, of the sitter and/or participant, is thus an essential task for psychedelic-assisted therapy practitioners. This presentation introduces a psychodynamic framework for working safely and therapeutically with these feelings and provides case material from interviews with practitioners and participants