Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Psychedelic Chaplaincy beyond the clinic; Resisting the sterilisation of an ancient field
Psychedelic chaplaincy, while primarily discussed within clinical settings, has broader applications that extend to ceremonial, recreational, and spiritual contexts. Chaplains, serving in diverse environments such as universities, war zones, and nightlife, provide care without proselytizing, helping individuals integrate profound experiences. I that psychedelic chaplaincy should not be limited to clinical harm reduction but also support wellness and spiritual growth. Exploring the history of chaplaincy and existing theories of psychedelic support, chaplains are needed outside clinical frameworks, particularly in secular spaces where psychedelic experiences challenge norms. The paper advocates for a broader, more inclusive psychedelic chaplaincy infrastructure.
Bio:
Having worked at chaplaincies in a school, prison, and hospital, Mark is interested in spiritual care and the ways extreme experience benefits from theologically literate spiritual care. The son of a priest and a witch, Mark studied theology and religion at Oxford and is currently pursuing a comparative anthropology PhD. He was selected as an Emerging Scholar at Harvard’s Program for the Evolution of Spirituality.
Psychedelic Chaplaincy beyond the clinic; Resisting the sterilisation of an ancient field
Psychedelic chaplaincy, while primarily discussed within clinical settings, has broader applications that extend to ceremonial, recreational, and spiritual contexts. Chaplains, serving in diverse environments such as universities, war zones, and nightlife, provide care without proselytizing, helping individuals integrate profound experiences. I that psychedelic chaplaincy should not be limited to clinical harm reduction but also support wellness and spiritual growth. Exploring the history of chaplaincy and existing theories of psychedelic support, chaplains are needed outside clinical frameworks, particularly in secular spaces where psychedelic experiences challenge norms. The paper advocates for a broader, more inclusive psychedelic chaplaincy infrastructure.
Bio:
Having worked at chaplaincies in a school, prison, and hospital, Mark is interested in spiritual care and the ways extreme experience benefits from theologically literate spiritual care. The son of a priest and a witch, Mark studied theology and religion at Oxford and is currently pursuing a comparative anthropology PhD. He was selected as an Emerging Scholar at Harvard’s Program for the Evolution of Spirituality.
