Ben Sessa

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​​​​I am published widely in the academic and medical press, have written several dozen peer-reviewed academic papers and published original research. I am the author of several books, including The Psychedelic Renaissance (2012/2017), the novel ‘To Fathom Hell or Soar Angelic’ (2015) and Altered States (2021). And I have co-written, edited or provided published endorsements for many other books on the subject of psychedelic research.

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I am not currently providing any direct medical services.

 

In 2023 I underwent a professional misconduct investigation and tribunal by the GMC which I fully cooperated with.  It was conducted in a rigorous, evidence-based manner and I accepted the charges in full and the outcome of the investigation which resulted in a temporary 12-month suspension of my medical license.  I made a serious error of judgement by entering into a relationship with a former patient whom I had seen in years previously for traditional outpatient psychiatry and I had effectively discharged 7-months before we became friends outside of our professional relationship.  I wrongly believed that enough time had elapsed since our clinical relationship ended and that a friendship and subsequent relationship would be acceptable. Whilst the relationship itself was warm, loving and fully consensual, it was nevertheless outside the guidelines of the GMC - guidelines that are designed to maintain the highest professional standards expected of doctors.  In breaching those guidelines I broke the rules and have been rightly sanctioned for my misconduct.  The person in question tragically lost her lifelong battle with depression and took her life, quite suddenly and surprisingly in March 2022.  This was devastating for me and everyone who knew and loved her. 

Since the GMC ruling went public, I experienced a backlash from a minority of those within the psychedelic space who wished to believe my issue with the GMC was congruent with other professionals who had abused or mistreated patients in the past.  However the GMC correctly identified no such behaviour in my case.  The young woman in question was not a psychedelic patient and never received psychedelic therapy at any point, from me or anyone else. Furthermore, the GMC were clear there were no complaints pertaining to my clinical care of her, or any other patients under my care - either before her tragic passing or since.  It was also clear that this issue represented an isolated and momentary lack of judgement and there was no likelihood that it would be repeated. I was not considered to have been a risk to her or any other patient and no criminal or legal charges were brought against me.  It was understood that the breach of guidelines involved professional misconduct in respect of my behaviour outside of my clinical practice and my suspension was proportionate to this.  Despite these statements from the GMC, some activity on social media has created the false narrative that my actions constitute past harm or future risk to patients or personal relationships, something I strenuously deny.  In releasing this statement, I am keen to put this distressing, personal and private matter behind me, in respect of my former partner, her family and friends, all of whom greatly mourn her loss.

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Whilst away from clinical practice, I have spent this last year focusing on personal development and creative activities, including undergoing extensive psychotherapy to help me to reflect upon these recent difficulties of my past. I will be returning to full-time clinical work in April 2025.

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