Description: This introductory course provides an overview of psychedelic substances and related healing practices, with a focus on their social, cultural, and policy contexts. Participants will explore common psychedelic compounds and their effects, as well as the evolving legal and regulatory landscape at federal, state, and local levels, including current pathways to access. It also situates contemporary psychedelic use and research within a broader historical framework, highlighting the impacts of colonialism, capitalism, and xenophobia on Indigenous knowledge systems, access, and the development of modern approaches. Participants will be encouraged to critically reflect on how systems of power and policy shape current understandings of psychedelic healing and the implications for social work practice. Learning Objectives: - Gain a basic understanding of the current legal landscape of psychedelic-assisted therapies and healing practices at federal, state, and local levels. -
- Gain a basic understanding of some of the ethical implications and considerations engaging with psychedelic healing as a licensed social worker. -
- Understan historical and present-day impacts of colonialism, capitalism, and xenophobia on psychedd elic healing practices and research.
Presenter Bios: Dr. Richer is an interventionist who engages in community-driven research to co-create culturally-tailored interventions and services. Specifically, she is interested in addressing the substance use, intimate partner violence, and HIV and STI risk (SAVA) syndemic. She works with Black, Indigenous, and queer communities who experience structural stigma related to drug use, involvement in the criminal-legal system, sexuality, and racism. Additionally, Dr. Richer seeks to increase access to psychedelics and indigenous plant medicines therapies among BIPOC communities. Finally, she is the Co-Founder/Director of Research at the Urban Indigenous Collective, a community-based public health non-profit that ensures access to culturally-tailored services to Indigenous people living in Lenapehoking (New York City) and the surrounding tri-state area through research, advocacy, and programming. |
