Cybin has announced the graduation of highly-skilled facilitators from its EMBARK Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy Training Program.
Cybin’s EMBARK programme – which was launched in October 2021 – is a leading-edge model of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy co-developed by Alex Belser, Ph.D., and Bill Brennan, Ph.D.
The EMBARK model is currently being implemented in two clinical-stage trials, including Cybin’s Phase 1/2a trial evaluating the company’s investigational deuterated psilocybin analogue, CYB003, designed to be a faster-acting, shorter duration treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD).
Cybin CEO, Doug Drysdale, commented: “The support of these well-trained facilitators is integral to the ultimate success of Cybin’s CYB003 programme.
“We expect the combination of EMBARK, together with the advantages of our CYB003 psilocybin analogue over classic psilocybin, will ultimately lead to improved treatment options for patients suffering from MDD.”
Cybin has confirmed that recruitment is currently ongoing for the CYB003 Phase 1/2a trial at Clinilabs in Eatontown, New Jersey, Cybin’s clinical research organization, and that EMBARK facilitators are actively supporting clinical trial participants with preparation, medicine and integration sessions during their study participation.
EMBARK
EMBARK provides six clinical domains – Existential-Spiritual, Mindfulness, Body Aware, Affective-Cognitive, Relational and Keeping Momentum – and is built upon four care cornerstones: trauma-informed care, culturally informed care, ethically rigorous care and collective care.
Cybin explains that the programme offers facilitators the foundational training needed to provide skillful and ethical care to work with psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy participants, preparing them for a range of experiences that may arise for participants in each domain and to ground their work in each care cornerstone.
Cybin’s chief clinical officer, Dr Alex Belser, stated: “There is a bottleneck of training in the field and a shortage of clinicians prepared to do this important work, and we are therefore pleased to provide high-quality training for psychedelic treatment.
“It’s inspiring to see the skill, compassion, and integrity these clinicians bring to their work with patients.
“Importantly, these highly skilled EMBARK facilitators will play a critical role in Cybin’s CYB003 Phase 1/2a trial. We congratulate the graduates on completing the EMBARK training.”
Facilitators completed 75 hours of curriculum on the EMBARK model, as well as training on clinical trial conduct and participating in peer consultation groups. They will also will receive ongoing clinical supervision from members of EMBARK’s esteemed faculty experienced in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
EMBARK facilitator graduate, Nina Lerner, LCSW, said: “The EMBARK training programme integrates best practices in both the delivery of the information and the content provided.
“The depth and breadth of what is covered is unparalleled with any other training that I have done over the last 25 years.
“The authors of the manual created a program that offers a strong practice model, not just for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, but for psychotherapy in general.
“I feel grateful to have completed the training and know that it will be a foundation that helps to guide all aspects of my practice going forward.”
