Psychedelic Assisted Sex and Relationship Therapy With Clinician and Author Jeff Lundgren CMHC CST PATP
- Andrea Hanson
- Mar 17
- 3 min read
This article is not legal or medical advice
Psychedelic-assisted therapy is gaining recognition as a powerful tool for mental health and relational healing. At the Psychedelic Society of Utah Conference, Jeff Lundgren, a licensed therapist and certified sex therapist, shared his expertise on the intersection of psychedelics, sex, and relationship therapy. With a background in psychedelic-assisted therapy and sex therapy, Lundgren has worked with clients experiencing sexual dysfunction, intimacy issues, and relational disconnection, integrating psychedelics like ketamine and MDMA into therapeutic frameworks and authored the profound book Unfolding Eros: A Journey into Psychedelic Assisted Sex Therapy.
How Psychedelics Influence Sexuality and Intimacy
Sexuality and intimacy are deeply neurochemical and psychological experiences. Lundgren outlined key neurotransmitters involved in both sexual function and psychedelic states, including:
Serotonin – Regulates mood, but paradoxically drops during peak sexual experiences to allow dopamine-driven pleasure.
Dopamine – Drives reward and desire, reinforcing intimacy and connection.
Oxytocin – Known as the “bonding hormone,” oxytocin fosters emotional closeness and trust (especially heightened by MDMA).
Glutamate & Norepinephrine – Fuel arousal, motivation, and cognitive engagement, contributing to sexual drive and function.
“Psychedelics and sexual experiences share neurochemical parallels, making them uniquely suited for addressing sexual dysfunction and intimacy challenges,” Lundgren explained.
The Role of Psychedelics in Sex Therapy
Lundgren emphasized that psychedelic-assisted sex therapy does not involve sexual experiences during treatment. Instead, the therapy focuses on healing psychological barriers to intimacy, such as:
Sexual dysfunctions (low libido, erectile dysfunction, difficulty with orgasm)
Emotional disconnect in relationships
Trauma-related intimacy issues
Religious and cultural conditioning affecting sexuality
He explained how different psychedelics offer unique therapeutic benefits:
Ketamine – Helps clients detach from negative narratives around intimacy and sexuality.
MDMA – Enhances emotional connection and trust, making it particularly effective for couples therapy.
Psilocybin/LSD – Facilitates cognitive and emotional breakthroughs, helping clients process sexual shame, trauma, or identity struggles.
“MDMA for couples work is incredibly powerful,” Lundgren noted. “Unfortunately, legal access is still very limited.”
Therapeutic Approaches and Safety Considerations
Lundgren outlined a structured, ethical approach to psychedelic-assisted sex therapy, emphasizing three key phases:
1. Preparation
Comprehensive medical screening – Ensuring clients are physically and psychologically fit for treatment.
Setting clear therapeutic intentions – Clients define specific goals (e.g., overcoming sexual shame, improving intimacy).
Establishing boundaries and consent – Discussing what physical and emotional support is appropriate during sessions.
2. Medicine Session
Session length varies by psychedelic (e.g., ketamine: 60-90 min, MDMA: 4-5 hrs, psilocybin: 6+ hrs).
Controlled environment – Includes eye masks, calming music, and somatic awareness techniques.
Guided self-exploration – Clients internally process experiences rather than engaging in sexual activities.
3. Integration
Post-session discussions help clients apply insights to their relationships and sexuality.
Techniques like Internal Family Systems (IFS), Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT), and somatic therapy enhance long-term benefits.
Couples therapy integration may follow, especially for clients working through relational dynamics.
“Integration is crucial,” Lundgren emphasized. “Without it, the psychedelic experience may fade without creating lasting change.”
The Future of Psychedelic-Assisted Sex Therapy
While psychedelics are not a cure-all, they offer profound opportunities for healing sexual dysfunction, trauma, and relational disconnection. Lundgren encouraged therapists to approach this emerging field with ethical responsibility, structured methodologies, and a commitment to client safety.
For those interested in learning more, Lundgren’s book on psychedelic-assisted sex therapy is available here, and he welcomes clinical referrals through Oak Branch Counseling.
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