MDMA-assisted therapy is an emerging approach designed to help individuals process difficult emotions and experiences—particularly those related to trauma—in a supported and intentional way. Trauma can be some of the most impactful experiences in a person's life, and the hardest to talk about. MDMA is a powerful empathogen that can help clients decrease fear and defensiveness and increase feelings of safety and connection. This can allow survivors of trauma to engage with painful memories and emotions in a more open and manageable way.

Your therapist would begin with thorough preparation, helping you clarify your goals, build coping skills, and understand what to expect throughout the process. During MDMA-assisted sessions, which follow strict medical and therapeutic protocols where legally permitted, you are supported in exploring your internal experience with guidance and care. Integration sessions are a central part of the work, providing space to reflect on insights, process emotions, and translate the experience into meaningful changes in your daily life. There are typically three eight-hour-long MDMA-assisted sessions, buffered by preparation and integration sessions. The pace is thoughtful and collaborative, with a strong emphasis on safety and support throughout.

MDMA-assisted therapy is currently being studied in clinical trials and has shown promising results, particularly for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Research conducted under regulatory approval has demonstrated significant symptom reduction for many participants. While this approach is not yet widely available and is subject to legal and medical guidelines, it represents an important and evolving area of mental health treatment. By combining careful preparation, supported experience, and structured integration, MDMA-assisted therapy aims to facilitate deep and lasting healing.

MDMA-assisted therapy is not yet legal in the state of New Jersey outside of research trials. However, once it becomes legal, Dr. Jeremy Lichtman and Simi Lichtman are certified to provide MDMA-assisted therapy in a clinical setting.