Radical Adventure

Andrew Feldmar trained under R. D. Laing and worked with Stanislav Grof and Paul Watzlawick. A pioneer of psychedelic psychotherapy, he presents its history, his personal experiences, and his wishes for the future of this radical practice. His aim: to prevent its medicalization and to show that at its core is an organic relationship

At age twenty-seven, Andrew Feldmar accepted a tentative offer from his supervisor, Zenon Pylyshyn, a participant in the first experiments with LSD-25, to experience an LSD trip. Following that initiation, he took various other substances, always returning to LSD. During his apprenticeship with R. D. Laing, he was trained in Laing’s approach to LSD-therapy. A few years later, the use of these substances was prohibited. Now, after more than forty years, research has begun again into the healing possibilities of psychedelic psychotherapy. A movement has begun to have psychedelics, entheogens, and empathogens accepted worldwide as legal. However, training in how to use them varies. Feldmar details fascinating stories of patients whose recovery hinged upon their use of LSD. He talks of how a single session of MDMA assisted many to attain insights that enabled their psychotherapy to proceed faster and deeper than before. He wants his experiences to help the next generation of psychedelic psychotherapists. They demonstrate that the most important aspect of psychedelic psychotherapy is the human connection: being involved and engaged with the other. There cannot be a protocol to follow, programmed music played, orders given. The therapist needs to feel at home within the altered state of consciousness of the patient during the session. The only way to learn this is through apprenticeship and time is running out as the older generation who worked in this way is dying out. The gains are high with this type of therapy, but so are the dangers. Thus, the focus needs to be not on the drug, but on the relationship between the therapist and the patient. Psychedelic psychotherapy is not for everyone but done well with the right patient and therapist, it can be transformative.

About the author Preface Chapter I: Personal history with psychedelics First encounter Do you really care? The transformative experience Chapter II: Radical psychotherapy Treatment is how we treat each other Interpersonal social phenomenology The trouble is between us Certainty is a tone of voice Chapter III: Spirituality Will not to will No wisdom for one Chapter IV: Training and mindset of the psychedelic therapists I could hurt you but I won't What do you do when you don't know what to do? Surprises No promises and no goals,

About the author
Preface

Chapter I: Personal history with psychedelics
First encounter
Do you really care?
The transformative experience

Chapter II: Radical psychotherapy
Treatment is how we treat each other
Interpersonal social phenomenology
The trouble is between us
Certainty is a tone of voice

Chapter III: Spirituality
Will not to will
No wisdom for one

Chapter IV: Training and mindset of the psychedelic therapists
I could hurt you but I won’t
What do you do when you don’t know what to do?
Surprises
No promises and no goals

• By (author) Andrew Feldmár
• Edited by Daniel Acs
• Edited by Aron Büky-Tompa

'An inspiring book of insights into the history and value of psychedelics from one of the first pioneers in the field. Andrew Feldmár shares a wealth of insights from early experiences of LSD therapy with Ronnie Laing to his recent role in the MAPS trials of MDMA for trauma. A delightful and thought-provoking account of the life of a remarkable human being.'

— Professor David Nutt, psychiatrist, leading researcher in neuropsychopharmacology at Imperial College London, and Chair of Drug Science

‘There is no denying that Andrew Feldmár is a psychedelic elder in a world of fledglings. His life spent alongside the great and good of psychedelic history speaks for itself. Weaving these experiences into inspiring stories, he describes for the reader their influence on his personal direction as he explores the importance of spirituality, the training of therapists, and fundamental processes at work in a psychotherapeutic relationship. The issue of trauma – and how trust and connection are the central cornerstones of psychedelic therapy – is paramount. Above all, he emphasises the importance of listening to and hearing our patients. Not just intervening. And in doing so, Feldmár provides a sense of urgency to the book. A determination to “get it (the psychedelic renaissance) right” this time around. But this does not mean he sees no value in today’s renaissance. On the contrary, as a clinician, Feldmár knows the importance of effective mental healthcare. And he has certainly played his part in the developing renaissance we are a part of. Feldmár is an elder, true. But his words and guidance are as cutting edge and contemporary as can be. Us fledglings would do well to sit up and listen.’

— Dr Ben Sessa, MBBS (MD), BSc, MRC Psych, consultant psychiatrist and psychedelic researcher, Bristol, UK

'In what at times feels like an homage to psychiatrist RD Laing, Feldmár shares radical reflections from a pioneering career integrating psychedelics and psychotherapy. The book began as a synthesis of Feldmár’s work on altered consciousness, evolving through conversation into something more fluid. This suits his relational approach and makes for an engaging read […] For therapists curious about the psychedelic renaissance, this book offers a refreshing and challenging perspective that invites serious reflection on where the field is heading.'

— Ben Finch MBACP (Accred), integrative psychotherapist, Therapy Today 36(9), November 2025.