Integrating Holistic Communication into Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies in Hospice and Palliative Care: An Approach Based on Peplau's Theory.

Abstract

Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) has shown promising results in alleviating psychological and existential suffering among individuals with serious illnesses. In parallel, nursing offers a robust theoretical framework to guide therapeutic communication in this context. This article explores the application of Peplau's Theory of Interpersonal Relations (PTIR) as a foundation for holistic communication in PAT, particularly in hospice and palliative care. We examine how PTIR's core concepts (person, health, environment, and nursing) along with its articulation of therapeutic roles, phases of the nurse-patient relationship, and the concept of anxiety as a signal of unmet needs, can be integrated into PAT's preparation, dosing, and integration phases. Drawing on a fictional case study involving a patient with advanced cancer, we illustrate how nurses can use PTIR to support emotional processing, foster insight, and promote personal growth during psilocybin-assisted therapy. By aligning Peplau's theory with the emerging field of PAT, this article highlights nursing's vital contribution to the development of safe, ethical, and compassionate psychedelic care practices. The integration of PTIR into PAT provides a valuable model for holistic nursing, offering structured yet flexible guidance for therapeutic communication with patients facing the complex emotional, spiritual, and existential dimensions of life-limiting illness.