Narcissism and Cult Dynamics in the Psychedelic Ecosystem

In this talk, Emma Knighton MA, LMHC, and Hannah McLane MA, MD, MPH, discussed the current literature and research around personality disorders, power dynamics, cults, and boundary violations and how they interact within the psychedelic ecosystem.

In psychoanalytic literature, studies about boundary violations in the therapy environment found that a common thread is that the therapists who engage in violations often have narcissistic tendencies. This webinar will help people recognize red flag tendencies in others and support the deeper examination of one’s own potentially problematic behaviors.

The talk has been recorded and posted below. Watch it to learn about the concepts of relational psychoanalysis and Internal Family Systems and how they are relevant to personality disorders and personality traits. Develop an understanding of the signs of countertransference and learn how transparent dialogue can be a preventative measure for violations and inappropriate interactions. Discover how and why cults often form and why special attention and care must be taken when applying psychedelics in various healing modalities.

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Watch the recording here:

HANNAH MCLANE, MD, MA, MPH

Dr. Hannah McLane is a physician, psychoanalyst, and entrepreneur. She is the Founder of SoundMind, a Philadelphia and Oregon-based psychedelic facilitator training and research initiative aimed at bringing ethics, equity, and innovation to the psychedelic ecosystem. Dr. McLane identifies as queer, white, able-bodied, and neurodiverse. She grew up in rural New Hampshire and spent several years in South America and East Asia.

Dr. McLane conducts research on cognitive diversity, psychedelic science, ethics, PTSD, and emerging alternative therapies for mental health issues. She is the clinical director of the SoundMind Center, the first psychedelic therapy center in the Philadelphia region, and training director for retreat offerings in Philadelphia, Oregon, and Costa Rica.

She attended McGill University and holds graduate degrees from Temple University (MA, Communication Sciences, Spanish Language), Brown University (MD, Doctor of Medicine, Contemplative Studies Concentration), and Harvard School of Public Health (MPH, Global health and Bioethics). She attended residencies in neurology and Occupational and Environmental medicine (University of Pennsylvania) and completed a fellowship in Patient Safety at the VA Hospital in Philadelphia. She also completed a 5-year psychoanalytic training program and considers herself a relational psychoanalyst.

Emma Knighton, MA, LMHC, RYT (SHE, THEY)

Emma Knighton, MA, LMHC, is a white, queer, able-bodied femme. She is a somatic trauma therapist, psychedelic integration therapist, embodied organizer, and conscious leader. In their clinical work, Mx. Knighton works at the intersection of complex PTSD from childhood abuse, queer identity development, and consciousness exploration. Her clinical and leadership approach is grounded in queer, consent, feminist, and anti-oppression/pro-liberation theories. Mx. Knighton teaches courses on integrating trauma-informed consent practices into psychedelic-assisted therapy and strives to be in service to the psychedelic space with integrated mind, body, spirit, and community. Mx. Knighton holds a master's in counseling psychology from Bastyr University, a Certificate in Psychedelic Assisted Therapy and Research from CIIS, and a master’s level Certificate in Holistic Health from St. Catherine University. A lifelong learner, she is in sacred relationship with their ancestors, tree elders, plant teachers, and the collective consciousness.