Introduction to the Art & Science of Psilocybin Therapy

with William A. Richards, PhD
and Brian D. Richards, PsyD

Part of the 16th annual Horizons: Perspectives on Psychedelics conference in New York City.

Wednesday, May 8, 2024, 8am-6pm
at the New York Academy of Medicine

Over the last two decades, some of the most prestigious medical institutions in North America, the UK, and Europe have resumed the study of psilocybin-assisted therapy as a treatment for depression, trauma, addiction, and other disorders. The results of these studies have led the US Food & Drug Administration to grant Breakthrough Therapy status to research programs that advance the development of psilocybin into a medicine.

Author and psychologist William A. Richards, Ph.D., has been researching psychedelics since 1963 and currently holds positions at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Psychiatry Department and the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic & Consciousness Research.

Brian D. Richards, Psy.D., is a clinical and research psychologist who contributed to the original research with cancer patients and healthy normal adults at Johns Hopkins.

The Instructors

Author and psychologist William A. Richards, Ph.D. has been researching psychedelics since 1963 and currently holds positions at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine Psychiatry Department and the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic & Consciousness Research.

Brian D. Richards, Psy.D. is a clinical psychologist conducting psilocybin research at Maryland Oncology Hematology, the Aquilino Cancer Center, in Rockville, Maryland.

This workshop will encompass:

1. Discussion of the personal/professional qualities that appear to enhance safety and efficacy in treatments that employ psychedelic substances;
   
   
2. Exploration of basic principles that have been found to expedite the beneficial exploration of consciousness;
   
   
3. Facilitation of comprehension of the potential therapeutic potency of visionary and unitive forms of consciousness and how their occurrence and integration may contribute to changes in attitudes and behavior;
   
   
4. Survey of practical procedures in structuring set and setting in psychedelic therapy, including the use of music;
   
   
5. Consideration of potential therapeutic applications in the near future, notably in the treatment of depression, addictions and end-of-life issues. Implications of the varieties of alternative states of awareness occasioned by psychedelics for education and religion, as well as medical treatment, will also be considered.
   

8:00am | Doors open
9:00am | Convene
9:30am | Morning session
1:00pm | Lunch
2:00pm | Reconvene
2:15pm | Afternoon session
5:15pm | Session concludes
6:00pm | Adjourn

Registering for catered lunch on-site is strongly recommended, as neighborhood lunch options are limited.

Horizons offers all-day introductions to psychedelic-assisted therapy led by leading researchers and experienced practitioners. These classes are designed with medical and mental health professionals and students in mind, but may also be attended by others. These classes are limited in size, not recorded or broadcast, and are intended to foster interaction between the students and instructors. The class is one full day of instruction with breaks in mid-morning, midday, and late afternoon.



Lunch is available at The New York Academy of Medicine for an additional fee, available through registration.

William A. Richards, Ph.D.

Author and Psychologist 

Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research, 

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine

William A. Richards (Bill) is a psychologist in the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, where he and his colleagues have been conducting research with psilocybin for the past two decades. His graduate degrees include M.Div. from Yale Divinity School, S.T.M. from Andover-Newton Theological School and Ph.D. from Catholic University, as well as studies with Abraham Maslow at Brandeis University and with Hanscarl Leuner at Georg-August University in Göttingen, Germany, where his involvement with psychedelic research originated in 1963. 

From 1967 to 1977, he pursued research with LSD, DPT, MDA and psilocybin at the Maryland Psychiatric Research Center, including protocols designed to investigate the promise of entheogens in the treatment of alcoholism, depression, narcotic addiction and the psychological distress associated with terminal cancer, and also their use in the training of religious and mental-health professionals. 

From 1977-1981, he was a member of the psychology faculty of Antioch University in Maryland. His publications began in 1966 with “Implications of LSD and Experimental Mysticism,” coauthored with Walter Pahnke. 

His book, “Sacred Knowledge: Psychedelics and Religious Experiences”, has now been translated into six additional languages.

Brian D. Richards, Psy.D.

Clinical and Research Psychologist

Maryland Oncology Hematology, Aquilino Cancer Center

Brian D. Richards, PsyD, completed a Masters degree in Existential-Phenomenological Psychology at Duquesne University, a Psy.D. at the University of Denver, and a Postdoctoral Fellowship at the Johns Hopkins Behavioral Pharmacology Research Unit, where he contributed to some of the original research administering psilocybin with cancer patients and healthy normal adults. Dr. Richards was formerly a Clinical Director with MedOptions, the largest behavioral health provider in the United States. He also provides diagnostic psychological testing at Oasis, an acute outpatient center in Maryland. Dr. Richards was a Lead Trainer and Mentor for Compass Pathways (a UK-based Life Sciences Company), and he also mentors students at the California Institute for Integral Studies, the leading Psychedelic Medicine Certificate Program worldwide. He also contributed to Compass’ Phase II Study for Treatment Resistant Depression at Sheppard Pratt Hospital, a newly built Center of Excellence for this Life Sciences company. 

Dr. Richards was a Lead Psychologist on an innovative, simultaneous group administration psilocybin trial with Cancer patients at the Aquilino Cancer Center in Rockville, Maryland. This cutting-edge, purpose-built psychedelic medicine clinic—located in a busy outpatient oncology center, is the first of its kind in the world, and may serve as a prototype for future clinics nationwide. 

Dr. Richards’ clinical and research interests include meaning-centered psychotherapy, mystical experience, brain science-based approaches to vibrant health and wellness, and working with treatment refractory patients. He finds joy and meaning practicing yoga, gourmet cooking, working in nature and caring for wildlife and plants. 

Due to changes in CE / CME requirements and providers, Horizons will not be offering CE / CME credits for any workshops or presentations.

Scholarships

Our scholarship programs allows community members to attend who may not have the resources to support our standard rates.

The scholarship program is available to anyone, not just students and academic professionals.

Applications for this year's scholarships will open shortly.

Learn more >

The New York Academy of Medicine

1216 5th Ave, New York, NY 10029

Since its founding in 1847, the Academy has been a vital source for thought and action regarding healthcare and public health in New York City and beyond. 

Its landmarked building on Fifth Avenue facing Central Park was completed in 1927 and houses one of the most comprehensive and historic medical libraries in the country.