Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy for End of Life Distress

This event is OPEN Access. For more information about the OPEN membership plans, please see here.

Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy for End of Life Distress

Margaret Ross, PsyD (Senior Clinical Psychologist & Psychosocial Cancer Care / Palliative Medicine)
Justin Dwyer, MD (Psychiatrist)

Saturday 21 June, 2025 11AM CEST (9AM GMT, 5AM ET, 2AM PT)

Online via Zoom

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This session will explore the findings and clinical insights from a landmark Australian trial on psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for patients experiencing end-of-life distress. Conducted at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne by clinical psychologist Dr Margaret Ross and psychiatrist Dr Justin Dwyer, this world-first study investigated the potential of psilocybin, administered in conjunction with psychotherapy, to alleviate depression, existential fear, and death-related anxiety in terminally ill patients.

Unlike earlier international studies focused solely on cancer patients, this trial broadened its scope to include individuals with a range of terminal diagnoses. The study involved 35 participants and followed a rigorous two-dose protocol, combining carefully guided therapeutic preparation and integration with psychedelic sessions in a controlled clinical setting.

What you will learn:

How psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is being used to address depression and existential distress in patients facing terminal illness.
Key findings from a world-first clinical trial involving patients with a range of life-limiting diagnoses.
Clinical insights into how psychedelics may support greater emotional resilience, peace, and meaning-making at the end of life.
Ethical considerations and challenges when working with vulnerable populations in palliative contexts.

Who is this for?

This session is designed for professionals across the psychedelic and end-of-life care fields, including:

Psychedelic therapists, clinicians, and mental health professionals interested in applying psychedelic-assisted therapy in palliative care settings.
Palliative care and hospice workers, including nurses, chaplains, and psychosocial support providers seeking innovative approaches to end-of-life support.
Researchers exploring the interface between psychedelics, existential psychology, and end-of-life care.
Medical professionals and caregivers looking to deepen their understanding of psychedelic care models within compassionate frameworks.
Professionals in the psychedelic field committed to ethical, supportive, and culturally responsive approaches to care at the end of life

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ABOUT THE SPEAKERs

Dr. Marg Ross is a clinical psychologist and the chief principal investigator for Australia’s first psychedelic-assisted therapy trial, investigating the use of psilocybin for end-of-life distress. She has trained therapists and medical professionals both nationally and internationally in psilocybin-assisted therapy for end-of-life care, and psychosocial aspects of palliative care. Her work is particularly informed by an interest in cultural rituals and altered states of consciousness at end-of-life. Marg has had the privilege of receiving instruction from various Indigenous Medicine practitioners, deepening her interest in traditional healing practices and their intersection with contemporary medical practices at end-of-life.

Dr. Justin Dwyer is a Consultant Psychiatrist with additional training in psychotherapy and the care of people dealing with medical illness and end of life. Dr Dwyer has a particular interest in working with people around life-changing events, and professionals suffering from burnout or other related problems. As a Principal Investigator / Clinical Lead on Australia’s first psychedelic-assisted therapy study, Dr Dwyer’s experience extends to provision of training, supervision, and consulting to mental health teams engaging in this speciality.