We encourage you to read and follow maps.org/safety for detailed information regarding MAPS Code of Ethics for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and our practices to create a culture of safety in psychedelic therapy.
You may safely and confidentially direct misconduct reports related to MAPS-sponsored studies, MAPS staff, MAPS PBC staff, or collaborators to MAPS’ Compliance Team via email or by calling (844) 627-7722.
As leaders in psychedelic medicine, we embrace our obligation to provide patients a safe, supportive therapeutic context free from abuse and to cultivate ethical practices in psychedelic therapy. We are a community of people deeply committed to healing and reducing trauma in the world. We believe that communities are strengthened through open discussion of allegations of abuse or maltreatment. We demonstrate that belief through our actions, policies, and practices.
In a recently published essay, allegations were made of nonconsensual touching by Aharon Grossbard and ethical misconduct in a therapeutic context by Grossbard and his wife, Francoise Bourzat. The incidents described in the account were not related to a MAPS-sponsored trial or other MAPS-related activities; neither Grossbard nor Bourzat are MAPS-trained therapists. MAPS and MAPS Public Benefit Corporation (PBC) pursue transparency in our organizational relationships and make a practice of disclosing such relationships proactively. Please note that, when allegations of ethical misconduct are made privately, proactive transparency may be limited by confidentiality as requested by those who report violations.
In fulfillment of MAPS’ commitment to transparency, we are sharing here that Grossbard and Bourzat were previously listed among the founders of The Center for Consciousness Medicine (CCM), a psychedelic training, treatment, and research center. CCM has issued statements clarifying that Grossbard and Bourzat acted in a limited capacity as advisors, that Grossbard has been terminated from teaching and advisory roles, and that Bourzat has elected to suspend her involvement with CCM.
CCM is one of dozens of organizations MAPS has fiscally sponsored during their start-up phase; in June 2021, CCM received its own tax-exempt designation and the fiscal sponsorship was concluded. MAPS and CCM have previously discussed opportunities for future therapist training collaborations.
Note that MAPS and MAPS PBC evaluate potential collaborators on a number of qualifications, including stated ethical teachings and standards in alignment with the MAPS Therapy Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics and related therapeutic standards are taught to all trainees within the MAPS PBC competency framework, regardless of prior training or training program collaborations.
The essay additionally included critiques of some MAPS’ practices and policies, which we have reviewed carefully. You can see the steps we have taken, and are taking, to protect patients in the What We Have Done and Opportunities for Improvement sections of Participant Safety in Psychedelic Therapy.
We encourage you to read and follow maps.org/safety for detailed information regarding MAPS Code of Ethics for Psychedelic Psychotherapy and our practices to create a culture of safety in psychedelic therapy.
You may safely and confidentially direct misconduct reports related to MAPS-sponsored studies, MAPS staff, MAPS PBC staff, or collaborators to MAPS’ Compliance Team via email or by calling (844) 627-7722.
