A Community-Centered Approach with LGBTQ+ CommunitiesAbout this Event
Join Gravity and The Ohio State University's Social Work department as we discuss Pride Month, mental health, and psychedelics. Coffee provided. The talk is from 10-11AM. Select vendors will be available to shop after the talk. This event is free, however, RSVPs are mandatory and names will be checked at the door.
Gender and Sexual Minorities (GSM) face a heightened risk of mental health issues due to societal factors like stigma and discrimination. Despite promising results of psychedelic therapy in privileged groups, research has largely neglected GSM individuals, creating a crucial gap in mental health equity. Our recent Internet-based survey study, involving 346 diverse GSM participants, revealed significant improvements in symptoms of PTSD, depression, and anxiety following psychedelic experiences. We also observed positive changes in social support, gender identity congruence, sexual identity certainty, and self-acceptance of sexuality. To address these findings and enhance inclusivity, I propose a Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) project. This project aims to actively involve LGBTQIA+ clients, healthcare providers, and administrative staff in Columbus, Ohio in the research process. The CBPR model seeks new ways of developing relevant and accessible mental health treatments for GSM. My long-term vision extends beyond academia, envisioning the development of clinical trial protocols that assess psychedelic-assisted therapy's feasibility and efficacy among GSM. This work represents a vital step toward mental health inclusivity, promoting equity and resilience within the GSM community. Our journey aims to transform mental health care, ensuring that everyone, regardless of gender or sexual identity, can access effective, relevant, and inclusive mental health treatments with psychedelics.
Bio:
Rafaelle Lancelotta, MS, LPC is a Nationally Certified Counselor and a PhD student at The Ohio State University College of Social Work, where they focus their research on the role of human relationships in psychedelic-assisted therapy. Rafaelle has co-authored and authored over a dozen scientific articles on psychedelics since 2016 and has presented at numerous national and international conferences on topics such as naturalistic psychedelic use, psychedelic therapy, and healthcare equity.
In their professional capacity, Rafaelle has worked as a somatic-focused, trauma-informed therapist, providing support to clients at one of the pioneering clinics in the United States that combined psychotherapy with cannabis or ketamine, clocking over 2,000 direct client hours in a psychedelic therapy context. They are also the founder and administrator of 5meodmt.org, a harm reduction forum dedicated to the use of 5-MeO-DMT, established in 2017.
Rafaelle earned their Master's degree in Mental Health Counseling from the University of Wyoming and completed their internship in a hospital crisis unit, gaining firsthand experience in dealing with a wide range of mental health crises and identifying gaps in current treatments.
At The Ohio State University, they have actively contributed to the development and implementation of a clinical trial using psilocybin for PTSD in veterans and a large-scale survey focused on LGBTQ individuals who have had psychedelic experiences. They have also co-facilitated numerous psychedelic therapy training sessions for clinicians in private practice and those preparing to become guides for clinical trials.
Passionate about increasing accessibility and fostering responsible clinical applications of psychedelics and entheogens in the treatment of stress and trauma-related disorders among minority populations, especially intersectional LGBTQ+ individuals, Rafaelle aims to leverage their clinical expertise and doctoral-level research training to lead and collaborate within diverse teams. Their goal is to drive changes in the mental healthcare system that can ultimately enhance mental health outcomes for people from all walks of life.
Event Venue
480 W Broad St, 480 West Broad Street, Columbus, United States
USD 0.00
