Seeking Healing, Finding Harm: A Psychologist's Psychedelic Therapy Experience

Dr. Chantelle Thomas speaks with an anonymous licensed clinical psychologist about her experience of sexual abuse and boundary violations during an underground MDMA-assisted therapy session. Recorded across two conversations a year apart, the episode traces how power, confusion, and attachment needs can delay recognition of harm—especially within altered states of consciousness. Together, they examine informed consent, the weaponization of "neediness," and the profound impact of unaccountable facilitators within psychedelic spaces. The conversation offers a sobering reflection on ethics, responsibility, and what true safety requires in psychedelic-assisted healing.

(00:09) Content Warning and Context — Chantelle introduces the episode and explains the decision to keep the guest anonymous.
(06:16) Preparation and Trust — How careful planning and professional credentials failed to protect against harm.
(14:51) Abandonment and Vulnerability — The destabilizing impact of being left alone while under MDMA.
(19:20) Boundary Violations — Confusion, somatic freezing, and delayed recognition of sexual touch without consent.
(26:00) Confusion Trauma — Gaslighting, self-blame, and the erosion of internal trust.
(36:13) Ethics and Accountability — Situating the experience within broader patterns of harm in therapy and psychedelic work.
(55:13) Blind Spots and Repair — What ethical practice requires: humility, consent, and the capacity to be accountable.

Dr. Chantelle Thomas, Executive Clinical Director Windrose Recovery: https://windroserecovery.com/