Rosa, W.E., Napolitano, S., McAndrew, N.S., Jenkins, B., et al. “Meaning-centered psychotherapy for psilocybin-assisted therapy among patients with advanced cancer and major depression: Rationale and preliminary evaluation of MCP-PSIL.” Psychedelic Medicine, August 2025.

Authors

William E. Rosa, Stephanie Napolitano, Natalie McAndrew, Betsy Jenkins, Wendy G. Lichtenthal, Allison J. Applebaum, William Breitbart, and Manish Agrawal

Published in Psychedelic Medicine as Meaning-Centered Psychotherapy for Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy Among Patients with Advanced Cancer and Depression: Rationale and Preliminary Evaluation of MCP-PSIL

Background

Psilocybin shows encouraging outcomes for patients with cancer and major depressive disorder (MDD). However, there is insufficient evidence on the use of evidence-based psychotherapeutic interventions to consistently guide and standardize psilocybin preparation, dosing, and integration. Meaning-centered psychotherapy (MCP) is a manualized, brief psychotherapeutic intervention that enhances meaning and purpose among recipients.

Methods

We sampled seven patients with cancer and MDD who previously received PAT with psilocybin followed by group MCP in a phase 2 open-label trial, as well as six therapists who delivered the interventions. First, electronic open-ended response surveys were distributed to explore participant experiences during the phase 2 trial and elicit recommendations to adapt MCP for psilocybin. Second, the research team developed a 5-session model of MCP and psilocybin therapy (MCP-PSIL) based on survey responses. Finally, four focus groups were conducted (two with patients and two with therapists) to expand on patient experiences during the phase 2 trial and gather feedback on MCP-PSIL.

Results

We sampled seven patients with cancer and MDD who previously received PAT with psilocybin followed by group MCP in a phase 2 open-label trial, as well as six therapists who delivered the interventions. First, electronic open-ended response surveys were distributed to explore participant experiences during the phase 2 trial and elicit recommendations to adapt MCP for psilocybin. Second, the research team developed a 5-session model of MCP and psilocybin therapy (MCP-PSIL) based on survey responses. Finally, four focus groups were conducted (two with patients and two with therapists) to expand on patient experiences during the phase 2 trial and gather feedback on MCP-PSIL.

Conclusion

Findings suggest that MCP is a natural therapeutic partner to guide patients throughout the PAT continuum. As MCP-PSIL is tested in the future, we anticipate MCP will leverage the PAT experience by building therapist capacity to optimize care while reducing avoidable distress for patients and maximizing their meaning-making opportunities.

Published Date: August 25, 2025