Australia’s psychology profession is pushing back against new psychedelic-assisted therapy training requirements, arguing that the changes exclude the majority of registered psychologists from participating in treatment delivery. The dispute has become so significant that the Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi) is reportedly considering legal action.
A recent decision to expand the range of healthcare professionals eligible to participate in psychedelic-assisted therapy has triggered a growing backlash from Australia’s psychology profession, with one peak body now considering legal action over what it sees as the exclusion of most registered psychologists from the emerging field.
The changes have been welcomed by some clinicians and industry participants who argue they could help address workforce shortages and improve patient access, particularly in regional and rural communities where specialist mental health services are often difficult to access.
However, critics say the reforms have created an unusual situation.
While eligibility has been broadened for certain healthcare professionals, many registered psychologists remain unable to lead the psychotherapy components associated with psychedelic-assisted treatment, despite extensive training in evidence-based psychological therapies.
The Australian Association of Psychologists Inc (AAPi) has emerged as one of the strongest critics of the framework.
According to reports, the organisation is now exploring legal options in response to what it considers an unfair and potentially discriminatory approach to professional eligibility.
AAPi Executive Director Sahra O’Doherty says the issue has generated significant concern among psychologists who believe their qualifications and expertise are not being adequately recognised.
The debate comes at a critical time for Australia’s psychedelic medicine sector.
Since the Therapeutic Goods Administration’s historic decision to permit authorised prescribing of MDMA for post-traumatic stress disorder and psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression under tightly controlled circumstances, the country has become one of the most closely watched psychedelic therapy markets in the world.
As clinics, training providers and healthcare organisations prepare for broader implementation of psychedelic-assisted therapies, questions surrounding workforce capacity, training standards and professional scope of practice have become increasingly important.
Supporters of the recent changes argue that expanding the pool of eligible practitioners is essential if patient access is to improve, particularly outside major metropolitan centres.
Australia already faces significant mental health workforce shortages, and some believe limiting participation to a small number of professionals could create unnecessary bottlenecks that restrict access to treatment.
Psychologists, however, argue that they represent a highly trained mental health workforce that is already delivering psychotherapy to Australians every day.
Many within the profession are questioning why practitioners with extensive experience in trauma, depression, anxiety and psychotherapy are being excluded from leading aspects of psychedelic-assisted care.
Monica Schweickle, who has been closely following developments within the profession, says the controversy reflects broader concerns about how Australia’s psychedelic therapy workforce is being developed and regulated.
The disagreement highlights one of the central challenges facing the psychedelic sector globally: balancing safety, quality and professional standards while ensuring there are enough trained practitioners available to meet future demand.
As psychedelic-assisted therapies continue their transition from research settings into mainstream clinical practice, decisions about who can participate in treatment delivery are likely to remain highly contested.
With AAPi now reportedly considering legal avenues, the dispute could become one of the first major professional challenges to Australia’s evolving psychedelic therapy framework.
The outcome may ultimately influence not only the future role of psychologists in psychedelic-assisted care, but also how Australia develops its broader mental health workforce in the years ahead.
