Therapeutic approach
PATPsychedelic-Assisted Therapy
Structured psychological preparation and integration for people engaging with non-ordinary states of consciousness — delivered as part of a supervised, multidisciplinary treatment team.
Key information you should know
- Psychedelic-assisted therapy is available in Australia only in limited, tightly regulated circumstances, and must be initiated and overseen by a psychiatrist holding specific authorisation.
- The psychologist's role sits either side of the medically supervised session — structured preparation beforehand, and integration afterwards to help you make sense of the experience and apply it in everyday life.
- It is always delivered by a multidisciplinary team, is not a first-line treatment, and is not something accessed casually or on request.
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is a structured form of psychological treatment that pairs psychotherapy with a medically supervised session involving a prescribed medicine. It is not a single appointment but a phased process: careful preparation, one or more supervised sessions overseen by a medical team, and a period of integration afterwards. The psychological work either side of that supervised component is central to how the approach is intended to be safe and meaningful.
In Australia, these treatments have been permitted since 2023, but only within a tightly controlled framework. The medically supervised component can be initiated only by a psychiatrist who holds specific authorisation from the Therapeutic Goods Administration, and it takes place in approved clinical settings. It is not available on request, and it is not a substitute for first-line care. Because the experiences involved can be intense, structured psychological support before and after is considered an important part of doing this work safely..
A psychologist trained in this area supports the preparation and integration phases. Preparation focuses on building safety and trust, understanding what to expect, clarifying intentions, and developing skills to draw on through the process. Integration — often where much of the lasting psychological work happens — is the work of making sense of what came up, processing significant or difficult material, and translating insight into meaningful change in daily life. Without this integration work, the value of an experience can fade or feel unresolved.
This kind of support is relevant for adults who are undertaking, or have undertaken, psychedelic-assisted therapy within the regulated pathway and who want skilled psychological support to prepare for or make sense of those experiences. A trained psychologist can also help you think through whether this kind of treatment is appropriate for your situation, and work alongside the medical team responsible for the supervised component.
What's involved
Preparation
Building readiness before any supervised session: establishing safety and trust, understanding what to expect, clarifying intentions, and developing skills to draw on.
The supervised session
The medically supervised component, overseen by an authorised psychiatrist and their team in an approved setting. This sits outside the psychologist's prescribing scope.
Integration
The psychological work afterwards: making sense of the experience, processing what surfaced, and turning insight into durable change in everyday life.
Psychologists who use this approach
Dr Catherine Hart is trained in psychedelic-assisted therapy and provides preparation and integration support.
Common questions about PAT
What is psychedelic-assisted therapy?
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is a structured treatment that combines psychotherapy with a medically supervised session involving a prescribed medicine. It follows distinct phases — preparation, the supervised session or sessions, and integration afterwards — and is always delivered by a multidisciplinary team rather than as a standalone service. The psychological work before and after the supervised component is central to the approach.
What does the psychologist's role involve?
The psychologist supports the preparation and integration phases. Beforehand, this means building safety and readiness, clarifying what to expect, and developing helpful skills. Afterwards, integration helps you process and make sense of the experience and apply any insight to daily life. The prescribed, medically supervised component itself sits with an authorised psychiatrist and their team, not the psychologist.
Is psychedelic-assisted therapy legal in Australia?
Yes, but only in limited and tightly regulated circumstances. Since 2023, the medically supervised component can be initiated only by a psychiatrist who holds specific authorisation from the Therapeutic Goods Administration, and it must take place in approved settings. It is not available on request or as a first-line treatment, and accessing these substances outside the regulated pathway is not lawful and carries real risks.
Can I access psychedelic-assisted therapy at Succoris?
Succoris does not prescribe or provide the medically supervised component — that pathway is psychiatrist-led and highly regulated. Our clinicians trained in this area can provide the psychological preparation and integration that surrounds it, and can help you understand the process. These psychological sessions are generally not covered by Medicare or private health rebates, and availability varies between clinicians.
Why does integration matter?
Integration is often where much of the lasting psychological work happens. A supervised experience can surface significant thoughts, memories, or emotions, and integration is the process of making sense of these and turning them into meaningful, durable change. Without it, insights can fade or feel unresolved — which is why structured psychological support afterwards is considered an important part of safe, effective care.
Unsure which approach is right for you?
Our team can help you understand whether this approach fits your situation and talk through the options. You can meet our psychologists or contact us for a confidential discussion.