Alef Trust logo

Stanwell, V. (2025). The role of ceremony and ritual in contemporary psilocybin use: Exploring ritual adaptations, transformative impact and challenges [Unpublished Master’s thesis]. Alef Trust & Liverpool John Moores University.

Posted at 11:54h in by

This dissertation explores the role of ceremony and ritual in shaping transformative experiences within contemporary psilocybin use. Drawing on ten in-depth interviews with experienced facilitators and participants, this qualitative study employs Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis to examine how ceremonial elements influence meaning-making, healing and integration. Findings suggest that ceremony functions as a dynamic psychospiritual container that supports transformation through structured symbolism, somatic attunement and collective process. Participants described threshold experiences that cultivated heightened receptivity, awareness, belonging and reverence, seen to amplify emotional release, facilitate ancestral connection and cultivate direct relationship with the more-than-human world. Themes included nature’s sentience, intentionality, the potency of sound and the ethical weight of structure and boundaries. Communal witnessing and non-hierarchical relationality were central to how transformation was held and integrated. Some participants also expressed tensions around cultural appropriation, performance and the dilution of ritual integrity in contemporary settings. The study argues for a pluralistic and ethical approach to facilitation, centred on ceremonial literacy, ecological consciousness and collaborative care. By re-situating psilocybin healing within relational and symbolic frameworks, this research contributes to a more holistic, culturally sensitive understanding of evolving entheogenic practice.





Alef Trust

Curriculum: year One

20 credits each
Approaches to Consciousness

Offers you a broad introduction to consciousness studies, cognitive neuroscience of consciousness, consciousness and spiritual traditions.

Find our more: Approaches to consciousness

Learning Through Integrative Practice

An 8-month experiential immersion in a personal programme of integrative practice, with the aim to foster whole-person development.

Individual needs and aspirations are considered in the development of the practice plan, and critical engagement with the practices is encouraged through regular webinars and reflective sessions.

Find out more: Learning Through Integrative Practice

Spiritual Psychology

Module leader: Dr. Ellis Linders

This module explores the changing meaning of spirituality in contemporary secular culture. Moreover, it identifies and examines the relationship between psychology and spirituality as a change in psycho-spiritual paradigm. The module is titled ‘spiritual psychology’ to reflect this relationship. Although there are many correspondences, spiritual psychology differs from transpersonal psychology in that it specifically draws on spiritual traditions and new or ‘neo’ spiritual expressions. 

As a student, you will choose two specialist options (see SPECIALIST OPTIONS tab for all courses) to explore which each reflect an expression of contemporary spiritual engagement. They also exemplify approaches in which spiritual traditions and their practices are viewed through the lens of contemporary psychology. The psychological lens allows issues of definition, measurement, and frameworks concerning spiritual experience to be critically evaluated according to scientific principles.

Specialist options for the Spiritual Psychology module - Select two
Embodied Presence

Tutor: Dr. Tamara Russell

This module option provides an exploration of embodied presence and what it means to live our human experience in a body. In an increasingly disconnected and disembodied world, true embodied presence is becoming a scarcity. Even in the transpersonal world, a fixation with “up and out” (out of body, psychedelics and a move away from the material) means that the wisdom and grounding of the body is easily lost, and the possibility of spiritual bypass is very real. In most spiritual traditions, a deep connection with, and examination of, the body (in stillness and movement) is fundamental to the spiritual path.

Find out more: Embodied Presence

Entheogens and Psychedelics

Tutor: Pascal Michael, PhD

Taking a cross-disciplinary and multi-cultural approach, this module option explores transpersonal and transformative qualities of the psychedelic experience, illuminating its meanings and implications for individuals and communities.

Find out more: Entheogens and Psychedelics

Feminine Spiritualities

Tutor: Dr. Kendra Ford

Feminine Spiritualities refers to a spectrum of perspectives, practices, histories, and cultures that balance on the fine edges of feminism, contemporary spirituality, psychological theory, and mystical traditions. This option is an embodied and critical exploration of the feminine principle within psychological, religious and spiritual contexts.

Find out more: Feminine Spiritualities

Shamanistic Psychology

Tutor: Dr. Steven Schmitz

Shamanism is the oldest spiritual tradition known to humankind and continues to be relevant in our contemporary world. For tens of thousands of years shamans have developed and used their technologies (knowledge, tools, skills) for shifting consciousness and for accessing the spirit realms for guidance, healing, and transformation.

Find out more: Shamanistic Psychology

Spirituality and the Imaginal

Tutor: Dr. Lila Moore

This module option explores the imaginal as an evolving phenomenon that has shaped the human spiritual experience: from Paleolithic cave art, altered states, and mythic rituals to the intersection of modern esoteric and spiritual movements, the creative arts and healing arts.

Find out more: Spirituality and the Imaginal

Transpersonal Dreaming

Tutor Dr. Tadas Stumbrys

In this module option, we study transpersonal dimensions of dreaming, drawing on scientific research and historical/spiritual traditions. We will explore the world of lucid dreaming and its potentials for growth and transformation.

Find out more: Transpersonal Dreaming

Curriculum: year two

20 credits each
Transpersonal Psychology

Transpersonal psychology (TP) studies phenomena beyond the ego and their transformative and healing potential. Adopting the perspective that the human being is intimately interconnected to the cosmos in many ways, TP acknowledges the relevance and value of spiritual, mystical, and other exceptional human experiences.

The course covers the major theoretical orientations within TP, and the models they propose to understand these experiences and situate them in the larger context of human transformation and spiritual development.

The course also covers other complementary topics which reflect the growing edges of TP as a vibrant and multifaceted field.

Find out more: Transpersonal Psychology

Research Design

Our Research Design module provides a grounding in qualitative research methods.

Students venture into transpersonal approaches to research, offering you an introduction to methods which embrace embodied, intuitive and creative ways of expanding the human knowledge base.

Research Design allows students to work with these methods in a research project, tackling the philosophical and ethical issues surrounding transpersonal psychology methods.

Such as:

  • The centrality of transformation for both researcher and participants
  • Issues that arise when participants’ most meaningful experiences may be scrutinised
  • Issues where practices may be evaluated for efficacy, and ideas concerning changing paradigms in psychological science

Find out more: Research Design

Applied Transformative Psychology

Module leader: Dr. Jessica Bockler

Applied transformative psychology focuses on the ways in which transpersonal, integrative, and spiritual perspectives can be applied in practice, considering personal and professional pathways and ethics of transformation. The concept of inner development is examined in the context of evolving ideas and theories exploring personal and systemic/collective change; and questions of ethical engagement in contemporary contexts are considered in the light of the evolving meta-crises of our times. 

Students are encouraged to explore their own professional practice in relation to two of the specialist options (see SPECIALIST OPTIONS tab for all courses).

Specialist options for the Applied transformative psychology module — Select two
Creativity and Transformation

Tutor: Dr. Jessica Bockler

In this option we explore the nature of creativity and its relationship to human development and growth, as well as its relevance for social change. The evolving crises of our time call for inner and outer changes in our ways of being and doing. In Together, we consider how we can draw on our creativity to enable and support generative change processes in ourselves and in those we work with.

Find out more: Creativity and Transformation

Integrative Medicine

Tutor: Dr. Hennie Geldenhuys

This option explores the mind-body-spirit paradigm and its implications for an integrative and holistic approach to wellness and healthcare. Health, disease, healing and the psychosomatic are viewed through a transpersonal but pragmatic lens.

Find out more: Integrative Medicine

Multidimensional Trauma & Transformation

Tutor: Dr. Regina U. Hess

We will explore multidimensional applications for the transformation of individual, transgenerational, and ecological trauma drawing on clinical, transpersonal, indigenous, and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy approaches and research. The goal is to support the person’s innate capacity to restore the mind-body-spirit-balance and eventually wholeness, including such dimensions as interpersonal relationships and relationships with nature, the cosmos, culture, and the community.

Find out more: Multidimensional Trauma & Transformation

Transpersonal Coaching Psychology

Tutor: Jevon Dängeli

Transpersonal Coaching Psychology (TCP) can be described as the theory and practice of coaching that takes a holistic and integrative approach to support client growth and transformation. In this option we explore the basis and value of a transpersonal approach to coaching.

Find out more: Transpersonal Coaching Psychology

Transpersonal Ecopsychology

Tutor: Paul Maiteny

We are living in extremely destabilised times. We humans are undermining life-support ecosystems essential to life itself, ecological, social and personal. It is a tragic irony that we have been doing so with the aim of making our lives better. We have now reached the threshold point where the destructive results of our priorities and action is confronting us full-on. Yet, we are continuing to seek technological ‘solutions and fixes’ using the same motivations and types of thinking as have caused the devastation in the first place. 

Transpersonal Ecopsychology provides a new way of thinking about and understanding human meaning and purpose as embedded participants in the ecosystem, rather than in the binary way of thinking of ourselves as ‘other’ to ‘nature’ and ‘the environment’. 

Find our more: Transpersonal Ecopsychology: Knowing your role in a conscious Earth

Transpersonal Counselling and Psychotherapy

Tutor: Dr. Gabriel Fernandez Borsot

Transpersonal approaches to psychotherapy situate the process of psychological healing and maturation in the wider context of spiritual development. This option explores the main features of these approaches, and their associated techniques and models.

Find out more: Transpersonal Counselling and Psychotherapy

Curriculum: year THREE

60 credits

The curriculum in the first two years of study provides students with the necessary skills to conduct a research project in their third year of study. Under the supervision of a faculty member, students choose an area of interest to explore in depth through an original study.

Research projects often adopt experiential and introspective approaches as well as traditional scientific approaches while exploring topics that emphasise the interrelationships between the somatic, psychological, social and spiritual levels of explanation.

Goods and Services Tax (GST)

We at Alef Trust believe that education is a fundamental human right, which should accordingly not be subject to taxation. Moreover, education is key to building communities, societies, and cultures, which we also believe places it in a category for which taxation is counterproductive. Unfortunately, the legislative powers in many countries do not agree with our perspective.

Recent changes in rules governing taxation, especially in the EU, have meant that students on our online programmes resident in some countries will have to pay GST on top of the programme fee. The UK, which is the jurisdiction in which Alef Trust is located, does not impose GST (known as VAT in the UK) on educational fees. However, legislative changes mean that the determining factor for GST is no longer the country in which education is delivered but the country in which the “consumer”—in our case, the student studying on an Alef Trust programme—resides. Consequently, students who are resident in countries which impose GST on educational fees will be charged the GST by Alef Trust since Alef Trust is responsible for paying the tax in their country of residence.

The treatment of GST on distance learning is an evolving situation in many countries, if tax is deemed to be chargeable part way through your course this could be added to your future course fees. We will not apply GST to invoices that have previously been issued. Alef Trust will not levy any charge on top of the tax liability; any administrative cost will be covered by Alef Trust

At the time of writing, the table below indicates some of the countries charging GST on educational fees and the tax rate. The situation remains fluid and there may be changes to this table in the future. We will update the information as soon as we are able to determine the current situation. You are strongly advised to check the current situation in your country. Some countries allow exemptions for certain kinds of online educational programmes. Our MSc and PhD programmes, for example, may be exempt for GST purposes in your country. You must check—a local tax office should be able to advise you. Alef Trust will not levy any charge on top of the tax liability; any administrative cost will be covered by Alef Trust.

WEBINAR SCHEDULE

A main feature of our online teaching environment is that required webinars are taught live and also recorded, which allows for synchronous involvement in content and lively discussions during the question-and-answer portions of webinars for those in attendance.

Webinars are generally scheduled well in advance, and are held on a varied schedule between 9:00-21:00 UK time.

Although we cannot commit to accommodate all time zones for all webinars, we hope for students in our global community to have the opportunity for synchronous participation throughout the programme. When live attendance is not possible, recordings of webinars are available almost immediately and can be viewed at a convenient time, making the programme accessible regardless of location in the world. 

One-to-one and group meetings with personal tutors are scheduled at mutually convenient times.

Please note that whilst we do our utmost to give you advance notice, some flexibility in accommodating schedule changes and additional dates may be needed as and when they become available. This programme weaves a complex tapestry of asynchronous and live events befitting Master’s level study with a wide range of teachers. We therefore advise you that some flexibility will be needed on your part to join this programme and make the most of what it has to offer.

LEARNING APPROACHES

Our students enjoy a rich and interactive learning experience. Transformative learning methods are utilised in all our modules, which support a deep level of self-inquiry while fostering connection with experiential learning of programme content, research skills, and academic, professional and personal growth. 

INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCES

 

  • Live teaching webinars
  • Live sessions involving experiential practices
  • Student presentations

A SHARED LEARNING JOURNEY 

 

  • Reflective group meetings
  • Peer group work
  • Individual and group supervision

STUDY AT YOUR OWN PACE

 

  • Written discussion forums
  • Study of course materials
  • Personal practice and projects

WHOLE-PERSON SUPPORT

 

  • Personal tutor support
  • Academic skills support
  • Wellbeing support

CONTENT DELIVERY
The programme is 100% online and presented via synchronous and asynchronous webinars where students engage with faculty and each other. All coursework is taught on our learning management system, Canvas.

ONBOARDING
To support students in gaining foundational skills for MSc study, the Alef trust offers an introductory online course in APA referencing and academic writing skills, which incoming students are invited to take prior to the start of term. This enables those who are unfamiliar with APA formatting, as well as those who have been out of education for some time, to feel more prepared for embarking on their MSc.

ASSESSMENT

Course assessments are mainly in the form of written essays and reports. Several assignments encourage use of creative media to express the learning journeys, and students can choose to do this in ways that meet their creative skills and interests. Examples include visual art, music, creative writing, and videos. A number of modules include asynchronous forum participation. Some modules also include group project assessments which involve live presentations and attendance at presentations by peers.

Your schedule will require some flexibility to accommodate these in all three years of the programme.

In the final year, you conduct your own research project under supervision. Assessment of this final-year module involves a research dissertation, online presentation, and a blog-style post.

Depending on the nature and weighting of the assignment, these are either 2,000, 3,000 or 4,500 words in required length, and the final dissertation is 10,000-12,000 words, depending on the methodology used.

LIBRARY ACCESS

As a student enrolled on a collaborative programme with Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) you have access to a range of LJMU’s electronic library resources.

This includes an extensive selection of relevant books and journals, as well as academic learning resources oriented towards the ongoing development of skills such as scholarly writing.

Visual Map of the MSc PROGRAMME

Year 1
Orientation
7503ALEFTP Learning Through Integrative Practice (20 Credits)
7501ALEFTP Approaches to Consciousness (20 Credits)
7502ALEFTP Spiritual Psychology (20 Credits)
Year 2
7504ALEFTP Transpersonal psychology (20 Credits)
7506ALEFTP Research Design (20 Credits)
7505ALEFTP Applied Transformative Psychology (20 Credits)
Year 3
7503ALEFTP Learning Through Integrative Practice (20 Credits)
SEPT

OCT

NOV

DEC

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

Visual Map of the MSc PROGRAMME

Year One
Orientation
7503ALEFTP Learning Through Integrative Practice (20 Credits)
7501ALEFTP Approaches to Consciousness (20 Credits)
7502ALEFTP Spiritual Psychology (20 Credits)
+ Two Specialist Options
Year Two
7504ALEFTP Transpersonal psychology (20 Credits)
7506ALEFTP Research Design (20 Credits)
7505ALEFTP Applied Transformative Psychology (20 Credits) + Two Specialist Options
Year Three
7500ALEFTP Research Dissertation (60 Credits)

Alternative track: 1-year Postgraduate Certificate

Students wishing to gain a Postgraduate Certificate can enrol on the MSc route and complete their studies after gaining 60 credits in year 1.

Alternative track: 2-year Postgraduate Diploma

Students wishing to gain a Postgraduate Diploma can enrol on the MSc route and complete their studies after gaining 120 credits by the end of year 2.

Alternative track: 2-year MSc

The Alef Trust MSc in Consciousness, Spirituality and Transpersonal Psychology is validated by Liverpool John Moores University in two programme formats. Students normally take the three-year part-time programme, although a two-year part-time programme is also available. Obviously, the primary difference between these programmes concerns the duration of study. However, there are additional considerations that applicants must take into account when deciding on their preferred programme of study:

Your qualifications: In order to be considered for the two-year programme, you must have a degree in psychology or a cognate science discipline, with a minimum grade of 2:1 (UK university system) or equivalent (non-UK universities).

Time availability: In order to be considered for the two-year programme, you must clearly demonstrate that you are able to commit to studying for approximately 25-35 hours per week.

Maturity: Our MSc is not simply an exercise in academic learning. The ethos underpinning the programme – confirmed by reflections from graduates – is one of students embarking on a developmental journey that entails deep maturation of their aspirations, relationships, and inner quests. In the experience of both staff and graduates this journey is most effective when taken over three years. In evaluating applications for the two-year programme, the admissions team will explore with the applicant their readiness to achieve the programme goals in only two years.

Shared experience: The journey is one in which forming bonds with those in your cohort can be highly beneficial. A student on the two-year pathway will straddle two cohorts, which may make this aspect of the experience more difficult. Again, the applicant’s resilience in this regard will be considered by the admissions team. Structurally, the arrangement of modules is broadly similar across the two pathways in years 1 and 2. The critical difference for those on the two-year pathway is that the Research Design module comes in year 1, and the Research Dissertation in Year 2.

Readiness to undertake research: The deeply reflective experiential, whole-person, learning which is at the core of this programme takes time to gestate during the first two years for most students, and culminates with the research dissertation in the third year. Applicants for the two-year programme will be expected to demonstrate to the admissions team that they have a preliminary plan about their potential research. If you wish to be considered for the two-year pathway, please indicate this in the application form. Our admissions team will contact you to arrange an interview to discuss whether this could be a suitable option for you.

If you wish to be considered for the two-year pathway, please indicate this in the application form. Our admissions team will contact you to arrange an interview to discuss whether this could be an appropriate option for you.

Alef Trust logo

Transpersonal psychology newsletter

Join our mailing list to receive updates from the world of transpersonal psychology, news, events and updates on new webinars, courses and programmes.