Speaker Bio
Clancy Cavnar has a doctorate in clinical psychology (Psy.D.) from John F. Kennedy University in Pleasant Hill, CA. She currently works in private practice in San Francisco, and is Co-Founder and a member of the Board of Directors of the Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines. She is also a research associate of the Interdisciplinary Group for Psychoactive Studies (NEIP). She combines an eclectic array of interests and activities as clinical psychologist, artist, and researcher. She has a master of fine arts in painting from the San Francisco Art Institute, a master’s in counseling from San Francisco State University, and she completed the Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy program at the California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS). She is author and co-author of articles in several peer-reviewed journals and co-editor, with Beatriz Caiuby Labate, of eleven books. For more information see: http://www.drclancycavnar.com.
ICPR 2024 Abstract
Embracing Identity: Psychedelics and the GLBT+ Community
This talk will discuss the ways psychedelics have affected the GLBT+ community. Dr. Cavnar
will discuss her research on gays and lesbians’ identity and self-acceptance after ayahuasca
experiences, and how psychedelics, in general, can help gay people embrace themselves
and connect spiritually in environments that make that difficult. This talk will also examine a
period when psychedelics were used to promote sexual orientation change, also known as
“conversion therapy.” The talk will touch on psychedelic therapy as a trauma treatment for
the GLBT community and why that is necessary. The presentation will end with a look at how
GLBT+ people can be included in psychedelic research and therapy.