Thursday, February 13th
6-8PM
Tranquility Room at Casa de Luz (1701 Toomey Road, Austin, TX)
1.5 CEUs available
Psilocybin Therapy:
A New Hope for Mood Disorders
Led by Dr. Greg Fonzo
Event Schedule
6pm: Space opens
6:30pm-7:30pm: Presentation
7:30pm-8pm: Q&A session
Event Details
There is growing commercial, scientific, and public interest in psychedelic compounds as treatments for mood and anxiety disorders. Among the compounds most extensively studied is psilocybin, a compound originally derived from a genus of mushrooms that occurs naturally on most continents. Though still undergoing clinical research, the Food and Drug Administration has granted psilocybin the breakthrough therapy designation for the treatment of major depressive disorder.
Given the accumulating evidence for psilocybin’s efficacy in treating mood and anxiety disorders and recent efforts to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms and destigmatize their use for personal or therapeutic purposes, it is increasingly likely that mental health practitioners working with individuals with mood and anxiety disorders will encounter this treatment modality in the near future.
This talk, led by Dr. Gregory Fonzo, will introduce mental health practitioners to the evidence base and current clinical research practice of psilocybin treatment for mood and anxiety disorders. The session will include a Q&A, offering participants the opportunity to ask questions and explore practical applications.
Topics Covered
A brief historical overview of psilocybin, from its modern discovery in the 1950's to current clinical applications.
A review of the existing evidence base, which demonstrates initial evidence of efficacy for the treatment of major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and anxiety and depression secondary to life-threatening cancer. Dr. Fonzo will highlight factors specific to the clinical implementation of a psychedelic-assisted therapy.
A discussion of ongoing psilocybin clinical research occurring at the McGill Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy at UT Austin's Dell Medical School.
Learning Objectives
Describe the current state of evidence for the efficacy of psilocybin in the treatment of major depressive disorder, alcohol use disorder, and anxiety and depression secondary to life-threatening cancer.
Describe the elements and practice of psilocybin-assisted therapy that are unique from existing empirically supported treatment modalities.
Demonstrate basic knowledge of side effects, factors influencing potential suitability for this treatment, and local referral resources for interested patients/clients.
About The Speaker
Dr. Greg Fonzo, Ph.D. is an assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and co-director of the Charmaine and Gordon McGill Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy at Dell Medical School. His research focuses on understanding mechanisms of mood and anxiety disorders and using that knowledge to improve clinical care and patient outcomes. Dr. Fonzo is particularly interested in the biological bases of affective symptoms and defining neural targets for novel interventions, including psychedelic-assisted therapies like psilocybin. His work probes psychological processes such as emotional reactivity, emotion regulation, and reward processing to understand neural circuits involved in depression, anxiety, and trauma-related disorders.
Dr. Fonzo's research combines functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) with computational modeling to assess brain function and identify mechanisms of therapeutic effects. By studying how existing treatments such as psychotherapy and medications affect brain function, he aims to inform the development of new interventions, including psychedelic therapies. As co-director of the McGill Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy, Dr. Fonzo is committed to advancing evidence-based psychedelic-assisted treatments to improve outcomes for individuals with mood and anxiety disorders.
Disclaimer
Moonstone Counseling is not affiliated with Dr. Gregory Fonzo’s psilocybin research study, UT Austin’s Dell Medical School, or the McGill Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy. While one of Moonstone Counseling’s co-owners is independently involved in the study, this work is separate from the counseling practice.
This event is offered solely as an educational opportunity for mental health professionals to learn about psilocybin therapy. The information presented does not constitute medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice and should not replace professional consultation or care.