A study published recently in PLOS One suggests that therapy may, in fact, play an important role in psilocybin-assisted therapy for major depressive disorder.

In a study of 24 participants with MDD, those who reported stronger alliance, or “sense of collaboration between patient and client,” with their therapist were more likely to show improvements in their depression scores after two psilocybin dosing sessions.

Stronger ratings of therapeutic alliance during the study’s final preparation session were correlated with improved depression scores for 12 months after the study.