Monica Schweickle and Chris Raine: Beyond the Trip: Can Psychedelics Change Mental Healthcare?

What happens when a radically different approach to mental health treatment meets an established healthcare system?

In this episode of Beyond the Trip, we explore what it really takes to bring psychedelic-assisted therapy into mainstream mental healthcare in Australia — from the therapy room to the systems and structures needed to support a new model of care.

I'm joined by Monica Schweickle, clinical psychologist and one of Australia's leading psychedelic-assisted therapists, and Chris Raine, mental health entrepreneur and co-founder of The Psychedelic Consultancy.

Monica was the first psychologist in the world to provide legal MDMA-assisted therapy to a client with PTSD outside of a clinical trial. With 20 years' experience working across trauma, veterans' mental health, domestic and family violence, government services and private practice, she brings a deeply clinical and practical perspective to the emerging field.

Chris brings a systems and innovation perspective. As the founder of Hello Sunday Morning and co-founder of Clean Slate Clinic, he has spent years developing new approaches to addiction and mental healthcare. As a 2024 Kenneth Myer Innovation Fellow, he also played a role in helping establish Australia's psychedelic-assisted therapy system and support access for its first 100 patients.

Together, we talk about the realities of building psychedelic therapy in Australia — what is working, what needs to change, and what we can learn as this field develops.

We explore:

• Their very different journeys into psychedelic therapy

• What it takes to work within — and change — the Australian mental health system

• The role of consultancy in supporting the emerging psychedelic therapy sector

• Different therapeutic modalities and approaches to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy

• The potential role of psychedelic therapies in reducing reliance on antidepressant medication