In recent years, my research has focused on the psychotherapeutic potential of altered states of consciousness induced by psychedelic substances and non-pharmacological methods. A central question in my work is how experiences arising in these states can facilitate beneficial and lasting psychological change.
One particular focus has been on how altered states may help people overcome excessive experiential avoidance, a habitual tendency to evade or escape unpleasant emotional experiences that plays an important role in many mental health conditions and is targeted by various forms of psychotherapy. My research explores the possibility that, under favorable conditions, altered states can provide valuable opportunities to learn more emotional acceptance and openness.
More generally, I seek to bring psychedelic research into closer dialogue with conventional psychotherapy research. Historically, these two fields have hardly engaged with one another, even though the psychological processes through which psychedelic states facilitate therapeutic change may be much the same as those underlying conventional psychotherapy. To help overcome this gap, I have contributed to the development of research instruments designed to measure acceptance-related experiences and general psychotherapeutic change mechanisms in altered states of consciousness.
My research is closely informed by my clinical practice. I currently work as a psychotherapist at the specialized outpatient center for anxiety disorders at Humboldt University of Berlin. Besides my ongoing practice in conventional psychotherapy, I have worked as a study therapist in clinical research involving various psychedelic substances, including the first government-funded trial testing psilocybin for depression in Germany.
Building on my research and clinical experience, I am also actively involved in psychotherapy training. I regularly teach seminars at psychotherapy training institutes, have co-developed and directed a professional training program in psychedelic therapy, and have contributed to an international expert consensus framework defining professional competencies for psychedelic therapists.
Finally, I am interested in the ethical and sustainable integration of psychedelic therapies into mental healthcare, particularly in how regulatory frameworks can adequately recognize the essential role of psychotherapy in these treatments.
I am open for research collaboration on these and related topics. You can contact me at: mail(@)max-wolff.com