Psychedelics Today Exploring Race-Based Traumatic Stress and MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy - Dr. Monnica Williams and Dr. Will Siu
Jul 24, 2018
01:10:41
Download During this episode of Psychedelics Today, your hosts Joe Moore and Kyle Buller interview Dr. Monnica Williams from the University of Connecticut and Dr. Will Siu a psychiatrist IN private practice based in Manhattan, and a therapist on MAPS's MDMA-assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD clinical trials at the University of Connecticut. They join us to discuss race-based trauma, people of color in psychedelics, and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy. Show Notes About Dr. Will Siu
- He's a psychiatrist and therapist on the MDMA for PTSD clinical trials with the supervision of Dr. Monnica Williams.
- Based in NYC and has a private practice.
- Does some work in emergency psychiatry at a local hospital.
- Associate professor at the University of Connecticut.
- Does graduate teaching and multicultural psychology and research in the health center.
- Currently doing a study on MDMA assisted psychotherapy for PTSD.
- What is race-based trauma?
- There had been some studies previously.
- When people become traumatized by experiences of racism, oppression, marginalization based on their perceived identity.
- Often because of ongoing experiences, like microaggressions
- Eventually, people have so many of these experiences that they start to have symptoms of PTSD.
- People get so distressed and afraid that they act in a way that might harm them.
- You have to think about trauma in a non-single event way.
- Exploring the topic epigenetics.
- Trauma has been passed down from generation to generation.
- Layer epigenetics on top of what's currently going on and trauma is understandable.
- How has recruiting been going for the MDMA study?
- It's challenging, they're not drawing from the same population the other sites are.
- They're creating a culturally safe, welcoming environment for people of color.
- There is fear and misinformation that requires them to do a lot of education on the front end.
- Research abuses haven't stopped, they're still continuing today.
- Psychedelic drugs are almost exclusively used by white people.
- Are there any big problems you're trying to tackle now in prepping the study?
- Traditionally there has been no compensation for study participants, but it's needed for this study.
- Another layer is paying via direct deposit vs. cash and getting the university on board.
- How do you send someone back into the trauma you're trying to heal.
- How do you support people in the study?
- Support them as much as possible during the study.
- Continue to follow-up with people after the treatment is over.
- There is a lack of people of color in the therapy field, especially MAPS.
- Often people of color don't have a good experience with white therapists.
- Why do you think there aren't very many people of color in psychedelics?
- People of color haven't had the same advantages to become therapists.
- It's not safe to talk about substances when your license is on the line.
- Culturally, psychedelics haven't played as big of a role with people of color.
- People of color haven't had the same advantages to become therapists.
- What does an ideal training model look like for you?
- Watching the videos of people getting well was a big game changer.
- The training needs a fuller understanding of what people from other ethnic and cultural groups need.
- Monica is altering the training to be more relatable.
- Talk about enrollment.
- They have people at all different stages right now.
- They have about 18 people total who have gone through the stages.
- They still have to follow the guidelines of an indexed trauma to be accepted.
- How big is your team right now?
- Three therapist pair teams.
- A few other people who assist in various ways.
- Several people are doing double-duty.
- How can the psychedelic community be more inclusive of people of color?
- Make some close friends who are not white.
- Do you have any fantasy projects you'd like to see play out?
- Start a master's program with a specialty track in minority mental health and psychedelic therapy.
- All scholarships for people of color.
- Any advice you'd give to a young person or professional?
- There's a lot of work to be done and we need enthusiastic minds.
- Change won't happen overnight or be easy, but it's worth it.
- Be involved in the community
