Psychedelics and Soul Care
A resource for Christians navigating one of today's most complex conversations
Psychedelics are rapidly moving into the mainstream in research institutions, medical settings, and in spiritual contexts. Yet the church has been slow to host conversation about these developments and the role of the Christian church related to them. This site is for Christians who want to engage that conversation thoughtfully, and for those in relationship with Christians personally or professionally. This includes clergy, chaplains, and therapists.
Where Would You Like to Begin?
I'm a pastor, chaplain, or therapist.
You may already be hearing questions about psychedelics from people in your care. The book offers a theological framework and practical language for engaging the topic in an informed, faithful way.
I've had an experience I'm trying to make sense of.
The book speaks directly to people who have had powerful spiritual experiences and are looking for a Christian framework for understanding them.
I'm a Christian who wants to understand how psychedelics are being used and how to think about the topic using Christian traditions and resources.
Start with the FAQ, which addresses the questions people ask most often, from the curious to the skeptical.
I'm researching this topic academically or professionally.
The Resources page is designed to grow into a curated hub across theology, ethics, clinical research, law, and pastoral care.
The Book
Whether you are curious, cautious, called to counsel others—or all three—begin here.
From the beginning, the church has understood healing and salvation as entwined. Today, that ancient vocation meets a new frontier.
Psychedelic treatments are showing real promise for depression, PTSD, addiction, and end-of-life distress, and a consistent pattern has emerged: many patients describe their experiences in spiritual terms. Those conversations are surfacing in pastoral offices and hospital rooms without anyone equipped to meet them.
Psychedelics and Soul Care fills that gap. Written by a New Testament scholar and ordained Baptist minister who has done the science, the theology, and the journey itself, it brings a clear grasp of the clinical landscape into honest conversation with Scripture, Christian tradition, and the real risks involved.
The work of healing continues. The church belongs in it.
Published by Eerdmans.
What Others Are Saying
“Psychedelics and Soul Care is a critical offering to the Christian community and to those serving Christians engaging in psychedelic experience. Rev. Dr. Clark-Soles offers a both light hearted and deeply serious, accessible, cautious, responsible, comprehensive text exploring topics relating to psychedelic clinical practice, scripture, Christian faith, and human experience which will benefit the practitioner, recipient, and clergy alike. As the Church and psychedelic field develop this text will be an essential tool.”
Rev. Caroline Peacock, DMin, LCSW, ACPE-CE, BCC
Emory Center for Psychedelics and Spirituality
“With consummate skill and passion, Jaime Clark-Soles provides a carefully crafted study that spans Christian traditions in reference to sacred practices and science-oriented therapies in healthcare. This book clearly demonstrates that religion, spirituality, and theology belong in conversation with psychedelic medicine. It should be required reading in seminaries, medical schools, psychedelic medicine trainings, and in churches.”
George H. Grant, MDiv, PhD
United Methodist Ordained and Psychologist
Director of the Emory Center for Psychedelics and Spirituality
Executive Director, Spiritual Health, Emory Healthcare
About Jaime
Rev. Dr. Jaime Clark-Soles is a New Testament scholar, ordained Baptist minister, and Professor of New Testament at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University.
She participated in the Johns Hopkins psilocybin study on religious professionals and brings three decades of teaching, scholarship, and pastoral experience to this work.
She is a Field Scholar at the Emory Center for Psychedelics and Spirituality and a past Research Affiliate at Harvard Law School's PULSE project (Psychedelic Use, Law, and Spiritual Experience). She is one of a small number of scholars working specifically at the intersection of Christian theology and psychedelics.
Stay Informed
This site is updated as the conversation develops. New resources, research, and reflections are added regularly.
If you want to know when something new is here, the newsletter is the best way to find out. It arrives occasionally, not constantly, and it will not be used to sell you anything beyond the work itself.
