November 5, 2026

Putting patients first means grounding therapeutic innovation in science. Psychedelic-assisted therapy offers important possibilities to explore and warrants rigorous research, with evidence guiding its potential role in care.

As research advances and the clinical and regulatory landscape evolves, the mental health community faces a critical question: How do we responsibly prepare for possible future treatments while ensuring that science, patient safety, ethical practice, and equitable access remain at the center?

We are pleased to share the CEO Alliance for Mental Health’s Vision and Guiding Principles for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (PAT), developed through a collaborative effort of leaders from the nation’s major mental health organizations, which speaks to those questions.

These eight principles establish a shared foundation for science-based therapeutic innovation, ethical stewardship, whole-person care, workforce development, cultural respect, responsible communication, scientific integrity, and common clinical guidance.

Putting patient safety and outcomes first also means recognizing that PAT would require a comprehensive continuum of care. Safe use must be preceded by accurate psychiatric diagnosis, assessment of comorbidities and drug interactions, informed consent, an appropriate clinical environment, monitoring, emergency readiness, and longitudinal follow-up that integrates psychotherapy to support therapeutic processes and sustained treatment gains. Integration and post-treatment services are equally essential to help patients process their experiences, monitor for adverse effects, and support ongoing mental health needs.

Our commitment is to proactively prepare for the possibility of future psychedelic-assisted therapies, if established as safe and effective through rigorous scientific review and regulatory approval for specific treatments & indications. We believe responsible innovation requires both openness to emerging evidence and a steadfast commitment to protecting patients and the public. These principles support research and preparedness; they do not endorse clinical use of investigational treatments outside of the approved investigational studies.

This framework builds on the leadership and expertise of the Alliance’s member organizations and reflects our shared responsibility to help shape the future of mental health care.

We look forward to continued collaboration across the mental health community to advance evidence-informed approaches that improve health outcomes and community well-being.

Dr. Marketa Wills
CEO & Medical Director, American Psychiatric Association

Dr. Anthony Estreet
CEO, National Association of Social Workers

Co-Conveners, CEO Alliance for Mental Health Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Workgroup

Read the full Vision and Guiding Principles

Contact: Tyler Norris, CEO Alliance Co-founder and Senior Advisor: tyler@tylernorris.com