This event has now finished.
  • Date and time: Tuesday 31 January 2023, 7pm to 8.15pm
  • Location: In-person only
    Room P/L/001, School of Physics, Engineering and Technology Building, Campus West, University of York (Map)
  • Audience: Open to alumni, staff, students, the public
  • Admission: Free admission

Event details

Psychedelics in Medicine Society Lecture

In recent years, psychedelic assisted psychotherapy has shown great promise as a treatment for many mental health issues, including PTSD, major depression, anxiety, anorexia and chronic pain. Whilst many headlines focus almost entirely on the psychedelic, the preparation and subsequent integration therapy is an incredibly important aspect of the treatment. Which therapeutic models to incorporate is the source of much debate; for example, is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or Acceptance and Commitment Therapy more likely to bring better effects? Professor Sara Tai will provide an overview of some of the potential advantages and disadvantages of different models of therapy to be used alongside psychedelics and identify what might be the most important mechanisms of action.  

About the speaker

Professor Sara Tai is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Manchester and Consultant Clinical Psychologist for Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. Sara is an experienced practitioner, trainer, and supervisor of a-diagnostic psychological interventions for people experiencing serious problems that affect their mental health. Her research focuses on the development of psychological innovations and understanding the mechanisms by which they work.  She led the development of the psychological approach and therapeutic model for the COMPASS Pathways funded trial of psilocybin for depression; the largest trial of psychedelics for severe depression currently running with 216 patients across 21 sites in 10 countries across Europe and N. America. She designed and ran the therapist training program and continues to provide ongoing support to therapists working in psychedelics.