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MDMA - Assisted Therapy for PTSD in Australia: real world data and outcomes

This PD session will explore the emerging use of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as a promising treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Facilitated by Dr Laugharne (Psychiatrist) and Ms Claire Kullack (Credentialed Mental Health Nurse), the session focuses on recent clinical trial outcomes, therapeutic protocols and ethical considerations.

Key Topics Covered:

• Scientific Background: MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a psychoactive compound shown to reduce fear and defensiveness, increase empathy, and enhance therapeutic alliance—critical for trauma processing.
• Clinical Evidence: Outcomes indicating significant symptom reduction in treatment-resistant PTSD patients, with some achieving remission.
• Therapeutic Process: The treatment typically involves multiple preparatory sessions, 2–3 MDMA-assisted therapy sessions under controlled conditions, and integration sessions to process experiences.
• Safety and Ethics: The importance of rigorous screening, trained facilitators, and trauma-informed care practices was emphasized, along with monitoring for potential misuse or retraumatization.

Takeaways:

• MDMA-assisted therapy shows promise but must be administered in highly structured, evidence-based settings.

PRESENTERS

Dr Jon Laugharne has worked in the mental health field for more than twenty years in a variety of academic and clinical settings in the UK, the USA and Australia. He is currently in part-time private practice. Dr Laugharne has also completed Psychedelic Assisted Therapy training and is an Authorised Prescriber.

Dr. Laugharne is a Fellow of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK) and a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. He has published many papers in medical and scientific journals across a range of subjects relating to mental health including post-traumatic stress.

Claire Kullack is a Credentialed Mental Health Nurse, Psychological Trauma Therapist, and an Accredited EMDR Trainer and Consultant with over 20 years experience working with a variety of individuals with a range of mental health issues and concerns.

ACCESS TO THE WEBINAR

• All ARPA members are reminded to login before registering to receive discounted pricing.
• ARPA Student Affiliate members are invited to attend this webinar free-of-charge.
• Registration closes 5.00pm Friday 20 June (AWST).
• Individual online registration is only available for this webinar. Group registration requests can be emailed to contact@arpa.org.au. 
• Please check the date and your local time prior to registering as refunds are not provided - change of registrant can be requested.
• Your Zoom link to attend the webinar will be sent in the days prior to the event - this is a unique link and cannot be shared.
• Please download your calendar invitation to save the date!