A top Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) official has urged the federal government to begin preparing for the expanding role of psychedelic-assisted therapies in treating mental health conditions among U.S. veterans.
Rachel Yehuda, director of mental health at the James J. Peters VA Medical Center in New York, emphasized during a recent interview that the VA must proactively establish training, oversight, and infrastructure to support these emerging therapies. As research into substances like psilocybin and MDMA continues to demonstrate promising results, Yehuda said the country cannot afford to be unprepared once they become federally approved.
“We have to gear up in a way that makes it safe to provide these therapies,” Yehuda said. “Therapists need proper training in how to administer them—and in understanding who should and shouldn’t receive them.”
Yehuda described psychedelic therapy as a paradigm shift from traditional mental health treatment. Rather than focusing solely on symptom management, these therapies aim to reach the roots of trauma through guided experiences that alter perception and promote emotional release. She stressed that these sessions must be conducted in carefully controlled environments, where trained professionals can help patients navigate challenging psychological moments that may arise.
A Growing National Movement
Yehuda’s remarks align with a growing bipartisan and scientific push to integrate psychedelic-assisted treatments into veteran care. In Congress, Representatives Lou Correa (D-CA) and Jack Bergman (R-MI) have co-sponsored legislation to fund research into these therapies. Their proposal includes an annual $30 million allocation to establish VA “centers of excellence” for the study and administration of psychedelic medicines such as psilocybin, MDMA, and ibogaine.
Momentum is also building within the executive branch. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has expressed strong commitment to supporting psychedelic research, with hopes that veterans could gain legal access to such treatments within the next year. VA Secretary Doug Collins has echoed similar enthusiasm, suggesting that veterans might one day receive vouchers to seek psychedelic therapy outside VA facilities if the treatments prove effective.
The VA has already begun modest investments in this area. Earlier this year, the agency committed $1.5 million to study MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use disorder. These efforts reflect a broader recognition that conventional treatments—often limited to medication and talk therapy—have not provided adequate relief for many veterans living with trauma.
Preparing for the Next Phase
Experts say the integration of psychedelic medicine into veteran care will require careful coordination between agencies, clinicians, and lawmakers. Several key challenges remain before widescale adoption can occur:
- Regulatory hurdles: Most psychedelics remain Schedule I substances under federal law, restricting access and research.
- Training standards: Clinicians will need specialized education to administer these treatments safely and ethically.
- Patient screening: Establishing strict criteria for eligibility will be vital to prevent adverse psychological effects.
- Infrastructure and funding: Developing clinics, oversight systems, and reimbursement models will demand substantial investment.
Yehuda emphasized that the time to begin building that foundation is now. “When the data are ready and the approvals come through,” she said, “we need to be ready to deliver these therapies responsibly and effectively.”
Her comments reflect a growing consensus within the medical and policy communities: psychedelic-assisted therapy is no longer a fringe concept, but an emerging frontier in mental health care. For the millions of veterans struggling with trauma, depression, and addiction, it could mark the beginning of a long-awaited transformation in treatment options.
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