All too often, it is far from the research front to clinical practice. At the Trauma Center, we want new knowledge to benefit clients as quickly as possible.
This is one of the reasons why we offer intensified, trauma-focused treatment in several forms.
We are also close to the field of MDMA-assisted therapy and seek to implement some of the principles and lessons learned from here already now.
If you are interested in courses in MDMA-assisted therapy, you can find relevant courses here:
What is MDMA-assisted therapy?
MDMA-assisted therapy is a form of therapy in which day-long MDMA sessions are given as an integral part of a psychotherapeutic treatment. MDMA causes a temporary change in the state of consciousness where one feels safe, trusting and compassionate. This is a good starting point for going into and getting trauma processed.
Several of the psychologists at Psykologvirke are involved in various ways in the research that takes place on this form of treatment at Sykehuset in Østfold.
The form of treatment is becoming increasingly available in countries such as Israel, Switzerland, Canada and later the USA. In Norway and the rest of Europe, the treatment is only available in small, clinical studies where the eye of the needle is very narrow. If you have PTSD or depression, there may be little opportunity by contacting psykforsk@so-hf.no.
At the trauma centre, we offer, among other things, treatment based on some of the same therapeutic principles used in MDMA-assisted therapy.
What can we learn from MDMA-assisted psychotherapy?
There is still a lot we do not know about MDMA-assisted therapy. But what can we learn from the experience of this form of treatment?
The psyche is a system that often closes its wounds. It can be difficult to observe what is going on deep within us. We naturally learn a lot from witnessing the processes that unfold from a much more open psyche than we usually see. Above all, it becomes a contrast liquid that shows how defensive and fearful our everyday functioning often is.
The drug itself seems to contribute to an experience of trust and compassion. Therapists are trained to meet the client immediately: trust and compassion.
Perhaps it is these factors that create the deep and long-lasting openings one sees. Into an intuitive wisdom of the mind, into self-healing powers that orchestrate the healing process in their own way.
Trust and compassion may simply be necessary to dare to move into what is often a painful truth. By actively dealing with the painful truth, one avoids the chronic suffering that avoidance of pain often leads to.
In addition, it is assumed that the deepest healing takes place bottom-up. From the body. We therefore learn to listen to the body and put the ego's thinking machinery aside. It is not you who will heal your whole body and mind, but your body and your mind that will heal you.
Our organisms have evolved over millions of years and they know what they need and want. It is our human capacity for mental and physical overcontrol that makes us stuck in suffering. The organism never gets to react to what it has been through.
At the Trauma Center, we seek to restore basic contact with and trust in our own organism.
The understanding of the effects of MDMA-assisted therapy is still imperfect. We continue to work to clarify the therapeutic potential of MDMA-assisted therapy. At the same time, we seek to implement some of the principles and clinical lessons from MDMA-assisted therapy in our clinical practice already now.
By cultivating a basic trust in your own organism and meeting all the reactions you get with a compassionate attitude, you can go a long way.
You can read more about MDMA and the treatment research that is carried out internationally at the website of MAPS.
Please take contact in case of questions or for order of hour.
