Associate Professor Vanessa Beesley: Grief, Psychedelic Therapy and Finding Meaning After Loss Video

In this episode of Beyond the Trip, I'm joined by Associate Professor Vanessa Beesley, a behavioural scientist and Team Head of the Psychedelic Medicine and Supportive Care Group at QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute, to explore the intersection of grief, psychedelic-assisted therapy and supportive care.

Vanessa led the PARTING Trial, investigating psilocybin-assisted supportive therapy for prolonged grief.

We recorded this conversation several months ago for a planned mini-series exploring psychedelic-assisted therapy at the end of life. While it's taken a little longer than expected to reach you, I'm pleased to share this important discussion, particularly as we consider how psychedelic-assisted therapy might support people navigating profound loss, grief and the complexities of being human.

We explore:

* Psilocybin-assisted therapy for prolonged grief: The PARTING Trial and the potential role of psychedelic-assisted therapy in supporting people living with complex and enduring grief. * Grief, loss and end-of-life care: The unique challenges of working therapeutically with profound loss, and the possibilities and limitations of psychedelic approaches. * Indigenous perspectives and research: The importance of inclusion, cultural perspectives and more thoughtful approaches to research in this emerging field. * Creative arts in psychedelic therapy: How creativity and expressive practices might support therapeutic exploration and meaning-making. * Building psychedelic research communities: Vanessa's work organising the Northern Australian Psychedelic Science (NAPs) Conference, which I had the pleasure of attending.

Vanessa brings a wealth of experience in psycho-oncology, supportive care and behavioural science, alongside a commitment to person-centred approaches to health and wellbeing. This conversation invites us to think more deeply about how research, creativity and compassionate care might come together when supporting people through some of life's most challenging experiences.

Resources: I've included links to Vanessa's research papers below for anyone who would like to explore her work further.

Content note: This episode discusses grief, death and suicide. If anything raised in this conversation brings up distress or you need support, you can contact Lifeline in Australia on 13 11 14, available 24/7.

Find Vanessa: https://www.qimrb.edu.au/about/our-people/associate-professor-vanessa-beesley

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Website: https://www.esmedarkpsychology.com.au/

Find Monash Clinical Psychedelic Lab at www.monash.edu/psychedelics [http://www.monash.edu/psychedelics]

Disclaimer: This Podcast is for general information only and does noy constitute an endorsement or recommendation for psychedelic assisted psychotherapy