Please see our updates on the status of the MDMA Therapy Training Program, career and training opportunities, and the Expanded Access protocol.  

On December 20, 2019, the FDA notified MAPS PBC that it may proceed with its Expanded Access protocol, which will allow 50 patients to receive MDMA-assisted psychotherapy following the MAPS treatment protocol (maps.org/treatmentmanual). MAPS PBC hopes to expand the number of patients eligible to receive treatment in the Expanded Access Program. The MAPS PBC Expanded Access Team has proposed to the FDA that after the first 35 patients, it will submit patient data for the agency to consider whether to expand the program.

MAPS’ Expanded Access protocol must still be approved by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Based on the FDA’s review as well as the DEA and IRB’s existing support of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy clinical trials, MAPS does not anticipate delays in those approvals.

The Expanded Access protocol differs from MAPS’ ongoing Phase 3 clinical trials in that it is limited to treatment-resistant patients with moderate to severe treatment-resistant PTSD. Other differences are that the FDA is requiring at least one therapist of each therapy pair to have a medical or clinical doctorate degree (M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent), there is no control group, and patients are responsible for the costs of their own treatment.

Up to 10 qualifying treatment sites will be selected to begin the Expanded Access program, to be announced in the next few months. Over 120 site applications have been received to date. Once the program begins, patients can apply to the individual Expanded Access sites. 

This is an ongoing process that starts with Expanded Access and continues beyond anticipated approval of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy as a legal medicine. If this treatment is approved, future sites will go through very similar review and training procedures as Expanded Access sites. Site applications currently on file will continue to be reviewed as the FDA approves growing opportunities to provide MDMA-assisted psychotherapy to more participants. 

Looking ahead

The training team is currently focused on program development to support the growth of the training program for the years ahead. There are no dates scheduled for 2020 trainings yet. Dates and tuition fees for the 2020 training year will be announced through the MDMA Therapy Training Newsletter. Stay tuned!

How to Apply  

There are two layers of application: 1) Site Questionnaire, and 2) MDMA Therapy Practitioner Training Application. Each site must submit one Site Questionnaire. Additionally, each therapy practitioner must submit an MDMA Therapy Practitioner Training Application. Only applicants affiliated with a qualifying site can be considered for training at this time.  

Each application takes approximately 30 minutes to complete. You can save and return to work on your application at your convenience by creating a free Formsite account (highly recommended- instructions on first page of each application). Once you have completed the application, the final page will prompt you to confirm and submit. MAPS PBC will review applications on an ongoing basis, as they are received.  

Site Questionnaire Link:  

https://site.mdmatherapytraining.com  
 

MDMA Therapy Practitioner Training Application Link: https://apply.mdmatherapytraining.com 

Sites and therapy providers inquiring to work on an MDMA PTSD protocol should be familiar and comfortable with the Treatment Manual before submitting an application. A full course of treatment involves three 90-minute Preparatory therapy sessions, three total 8-hour MDMA therapy sessions, and nine total 90-minute Integrative therapy sessions, summing about 42 hours of therapy. All sessions are administered by a Therapy Pair, two providers for every one participant/patient, utilizing a non-directive approach and an ability to work with extreme states. More information about the therapeutic approach can be found in the MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy Treatment Manual and in in Cultivating Inner Growth: The Inner Healing Intelligence in MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy. 

We encourage each site, in choosing location and therapy teams, to consider diversity, inclusivity, and cultural and racial competence. One of the most robust ways to provide accessible care is to train therapists and practitioners from diverse backgrounds, including people of color and the LGBTQIA+ community. 
 

Additional site and practitioner application procedures are posted at

 
Phase 3 Trials of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD now enrolling!

If you know someone with PTSD interested in participating in a clinical trial or want to refer others, please share our new recruitment website https://mdmaptsd.org/ 

for more information and our Phase 3 trial application.  

MAPS Public Benefit Corp now hiring!

MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (MAPS PBC) is hiring a Video Systems Developer (Contractor) to support the implementation of new features, provide support with the optimization of existing systems, and develop scalable, fast, and robust web-based solutions.
Please visit our careers webpage to read more about the position and apply. https://mapspublicbenefit.com/ourmission/careers/video-systems-developer/.
 
Center for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research at the California Institute of Integral Studies now hiring!

CIIS is initiating a job search for a new full-time position for the program: Associate Director of the Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research.
 
This administrative management position will help manage and direct the flow of work on the infrastructure of all aspects of the training program: assist in curriculum development; oversight of weekend class logistics; interface with mentors, faculty and teaching assistants; provide meticulous project management; and work as a member of the Center's staff team. This person will report directly to Dr. Janis Phelps as the Center Director and work as a team member with the rest of our staff.
 
You can read about the requirements for the Associate Director position and apply by visiting the job portal.  
This is a formal, executive search and any questions should be directed to the HR Recruiter, Susan Yun, at susanyun@ciis.edu.

Open Call for Mental Health Providers:  

Join the Psychedelic Support Network! 

Psychedelic Support brings together a Network of clinics, therapists, counselors, doctors, and other specialists to offer services (online and in-person) for psychedelic/plant medicine integration, transformational preparation, psychological and physical health, and personal growth. Providers are required to be licensed in a health profession or be experienced as a therapist/guide in psychedelic-assisted research trials. Visit the website psychedelic.support to search provider profiles, find integration events and professional trainings, and access free resources from the collective knowledge of the Psychedelic Support Network. For more information or to apply, email info@psychedelic.support.   

MAPS PBC Therapy Provider Connect Portal  

https://connect.mdmatherapytraining.com 

The MAPS PBC Therapy Provider Connect Portal is a community discussion forum for therapy providers, physicians and facilities to connect with one another to develop a site or treatment staff, in order to become eligible to participate in an MDMA PTSD Expanded Access protocol, pending FDA approval. If you are looking for treatment staff, a physician, or a treatment facility, or for general information and Frequently Asked Questions, we hope that this platform will support you.  
 

Instructions: Upon viewing the website, register with your name, email and professional information, and read and agree to the Terms of Use. Please follow the guidelines outlined in the Connect Portal for appropriate posting and language. 

Thank you!

We will continue to provide updates on the MDMA Therapy Training Program and MAPS PBC protocols when they become available. In the meantime, you may find some of the resources and trainings listed below helpful. Please also visit our website https://mapspublicbenefit.com/ and the Connect Portal for additional information. If you have any questions, please considering checking the FAQ in the Connect Portal or emailing training@mapsbcorp.com.