Set and Setting: Exploring the Application of Therapeutic Design Principles for Psychedelic Assisted Therapies

Abstract

University of Washingtonabstract Set and Setting: Exploring the Application of Therapeutic Design Principles for Psychedelic Assisted Therapies Camille Freeman Chair of Supervisor Committee:Ken Yocum Landscape Architecture Many people intuitively understand that connection to nature is beneficial and vital for physical and mental well-being. Sitting on a park bench, walking in the woods, tending soil in the garden, watching the sunset and hearing the ocean’s waves are ways to connect to the natural world. These experiences awaken our senses, encourage physical movement and exercise, facilitate social connection, reduce stress and depression, and elicit positive physiological and psychological responses (Cooper and Sachs, 2014). What is less known, and less socially accepted, is that similar positive outcomes can be achieved through intentional use of psychedelics. There is a current gap in research for how these two experiences can potentially relate to and enhance each other. My research seeks to explore and understand these potential connections in place. My work is informed by science-based research in these areas and builds on the work of others by evaluating a range of therapeutic design frameworks, notably the attention restoration framework. In this evaluation, I find these modalities would work well synchronistically, and have developed a modified framework for design applications for a health and wellness retreat in Northern California.