Claudia Schwarz Plaschg - Decolonizing psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy through relational ethics in the clinic

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is currently governed by Western bioethical principles such as autonomy, which often emphasize individualistic and clinical standards. This paradigm tends to overlook social and political contexts and neglects the relational dynamics that define human and non-human interconnectedness. Decolonizing these therapeutic practices involves shifting toward a relational ethics model that interprets mental struggles as breakdowns in essential connections. This approach integrates Indigenous relational ethics, which treat all beings as kin, with a feminist ethics of care. By framing care as an ongoing, context-sensitive process rather than a linear clinical intervention, practitioners can foster holistic well-being that extends beyond the individual and the clinic.