Rosalind Watts, DClinPsy (Doctorate in Clinical Psychology) — Psychedelic-Assisted Therapist in London

About

Dr. Rosalind Watts is a clinical psychologist, mother, and nature lover best known for her role as Clinical Lead for Imperial College London's landmark psilocybin depression trial — arguably the most influential study of its kind in history. Her qualitative research identified 'connectedness and acceptance' as core mechanisms of psilocybin therapy, and she created the ACE model now widely used in psychedelic therapy protocols globally. She has been named one of the 50 Most Influential People in Psychedelics and one of the Top 16 Women Shaping the Future of Psychedelics.

What distinguishes Dr. Watts within the psychedelic field is her sustained focus on integration, harm-reduction, and inclusion. She co-founded the UK's first psychedelic integration group and draws inspiration from nature in designing tools and structures to foster connectedness after psychedelic experiences. Her central conviction is that safe and effective use of psychedelics requires substantial integration support.

In 2022, Dr. Watts launched ACER Integration — standing for 'Accept, Connect, Embody, Restore' — a global online community where participants follow a 13-month process together to connect more deeply to the self, others, and the natural world. She is not currently accepting individual consultations or new academic research collaborations, and her influence operates primarily through training, research, and group-based programs.

Clinical Orientation

Her ACE/ACER model emphasizes depth processes: moving from disconnection to connection (self, others, world) and from avoidance to acceptance of emotion. Developed the 'Pearl Dive' protocol — a structured descent into difficult material that mirrors classical depth psychology's engagement with the unconscious. Her framework treats psychedelic experience as a catalyst for reconnection with disowned aspects of self.

Details

Training Clinical psychology training (UK NHS); Imperial College London Psychedelic Research Group under Robin Carhart-Harris; developed therapy protocol for first psilocybin trial (Psilodep 1)

Format In-Person & Telehealth

Accepting clients Not at this time

License Clinical Psychologist

Education & Training

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Certifications

Clinical Lead, Imperial College London Psilocybin for Depression Trials
Usona Institute team member
Creator of ACE (Accept/Connect/Embody) therapeutic model
Founder of ACER Integration

Best for

Psychedelic integration (group format)
Depression and disconnection
Therapist/facilitator training
Research collaboration

Publications

Patients' Accounts of Increased Connectedness and Acceptance After Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression (Journal of Humanistic Psychology, 2017)
ACE Model manual for psilocybin therapy
Multiple Imperial College psilocybin trial publications

Contact

Website