- Psychedelics and Attachment: Fundamentals, Implications, and New Frontiers - April 15, 2025
- Indigenous Reciprocity Initiative (IRI) Support Internship (OPEN) - April 10, 2025
- Development Outreach Internship (OPEN) - April 10, 2025
Wednesday, May 21st, 2025 from 12:00-1:30pm PST
Register for this event here.
Join us for this dialogue that delves into the exciting intersections between psychedelics and attachment theory, exploring both the foundational aspects and the novel implications of their convergence. Our speakers will unpack the fundamental concepts of attachment theory and its key terminology, laying the grounds for a deeper dive into the forum’s topic. They will also pivot into attachment-and-psychedelic research up to date (its promise and implications), as well as present ongoing innovative theoretical and empirical research projects pertinent to the topic at hand. This forum is designed for both seasoned researchers and newcomers to the field, providing a comprehensive overview of where psychedelic-and-attachment research stands today and where it might head in the future. You’ll hear from Esenia Cassidy, an interdisciplinary psychedelic researcher who is a co-founder of The Psychedelic Humanities Lab; and Chris Stauffer, Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Oregon Health & Science University and co-founder of the Open Psychedelic Evaluation Nexus.
Esenia Cassidy is an interdisciplinary psychedelic researcher with focus on attachment, gender, trauma, and harm reduction. Esenia is a co-founder of The Psychedelic Humanities Lab and a project lead at the SexTech Lab (NSSR) and the Granqvist Attachment & Psychedelics Lab (Stockholm University). Esenia is pursuing a doctoral degree in Social Work at the Ohio State University’s College of Social Work. At the Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education at CSW/OSU and works on the projects that involve gender identity and its relation to psychedelic use, passions for substance use, and challenging psychedelic experiences, among other topics. Stemming from a background in social justice, education, and media, Esenia’s interdisciplinary approach is rooted in commitment to addressing complex societal issues through diverse innovative research and clinical practice. Esenia earned a Master’s degree in psychology with a Concentration in Substance Abuse Counseling from The New School for Social Research.
Chris Stauffer is Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Oregon Health & Science University, dual board-certified in Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine, and Director of the Social Neuroscience & Psychotherapy Lab housed at the Portland VA, where he conducts clinical trials of psilocybin and MDMA-assisted therapy—with a particular interest in group therapy. He also co-founded the Open Psychedelic Evaluation Nexus, which conducts health services research on state-level legal psilocybin services.
This talk will be recorded and immediately available for rewatch for all attendees.
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