How To Become a Psychedelic Therapist: Understanding the Role, Steps To Get There, and Programs To Pursue

Are you a mental health practitioner interested in learning more about how psychedelics can help clients in a therapeutic setting?

You may have heard about psychedelic training.

Psychedelic medicinal use is growing in the United States. As we make advancements toward certification for using some psychedelic substances as approved medications, the need for more trained practitioners is growing.

In this guide, we will walk you through the role of being a psychedelic therapist, how psychedelic training programs can provide a pathway to certification, and the four steps to becoming a psychedelic-assisted therapist.

What Is a Psychedelic Therapist?

A psychedelic therapist is a licensed mental healthcare professional who has also obtained psychedelic certification. 

That means only those providers who have first completed the education required to become a mental and medical health professional can pursue further certification in psychedelic therapy.

Certification requirements can vary based on the city, state, or country you live in.

Some traditional therapy programs may include psychedelic certifications or you might need to pursue independent licensure to become a psychedelic therapist.

For specific details on restrictions and requirements for becoming a psychedelic therapist, it’s best to check the regulatory guidelines in your local jurisdiction.

As a psychedelic therapist, you’ll first provide a consultation with the client to:

• Determine client suitability for medicinal psychedelic use.
• Complete the state-required paperwork.
• Prepare the client by discussing expectations and intentions. 
• Develop a treatment plan that includes what psychedelic substance will be used and how many administration sessions are suggested.

Following the consultation, additional appointments are made at which the therapist administers the controlled use of psychedelics and is present during the peak of the experience to provide limited support. 

After ingestion sessions, psychedelic therapists provide separate integration sessions where they help the client process the information that arose and help assign meaning and interpretation.

Is a Psychedelic Facilitator the Same Thing as a Psychedelic Therapist?

A psychedelic facilitator and a psychedelic therapist play different roles that can provide different levels of support.

As we mentioned above, a psychedelic therapist must already be a licensed therapist, physician, nurse, or behavioral professional. Though both psychedelic therapists and psychedelic facilitators can participate in the administration of psychedelics, most often therapists work with the client afterward to process the information learned during the experience.

In Oregon, a psilocybin facilitator is not required to hold a mental health and medical license before receiving psilocybin training to become a facilitator.

To meet the requirements of becoming a psilocybin facilitator in Oregon, you must:

• Be at least 21 years old.
• Have a high school diploma or equivalent.
• Be an Oregon resident for two or more years (this requirement expires in 2025).
• Pay the application fee.
• Pass a criminal background check.
• Complete a psilocybin facilitator training program with a curriculum approved by Oregon Psilocybin Services before applying.
• Pass an exam administered by Oregon Psilocybin Services.
• Pay the annual license fee.

Though psilocybin facilitators and psychedelic therapists are not the same, they often work hand-in-hand at different points throughout a client’s journey.

It’s important to note that though different roles, a psychedelic therapist can not work as a facilitator in Oregon without also having a facilitator license.

In cases of dual licensure, Oregon law requires that facilitator services be provided during ingestion sessions with limited direction and therapeutic services offered only in follow-up integration sessions.

How To Become a Certified Psychedelic Therapist: 4 Important Steps

Step 1: Earn a Degree and Become a Licensed Mental Health Professional

To become a psychedelic therapist, you must first obtain licensing as a mental health professional.

A relevant degree or certification is required, which may begin with an undergraduate degree and likely a postgraduate degree like a master’s or doctorate. Focusing on psychology or related fields provides a foundational key to understanding human behavior, cognitive functions, and therapeutic techniques.

Step 2: Obtain Certification From a Training Program

Psychedelics can be powerful tools to facilitate emotional healing and personal growth. Participating in psychedelic training is essential in becoming a psychedelic therapist to obtain the proper education including the effects, risks, and training protocols.

Some degree programs may already include psychedelic training as a component of a mental health professional. It’s important to research what options are available to you and find the best program for your individual needs and goals.

If psychedelic therapy is not offered in your degree program, several organizations offer programs for therapists interested in working with psychedelic substances. These programs can provide an opportunity to experience firsthand how these substances can facilitate change and proper use.

Clinical Cognitive Training offers a comprehensive, cost-effective hybrid psilocybin facilitator training program. Our science-focused program provides foundational education that respects ancient cultures and traditions while enfolding leading psychological support methods. Find out why students choose us for Oregon and Colorado psychedelic therapy training. Apply today.

Step 3: Gain Experience

Psychedelic therapy requires a background in both traditional therapy and psychedelic-assisted training. Such a specialized form of therapy requires a deep understanding of traditional therapy that can only be gained through experience. 

An aspiring psychedelic therapist should practice conventional forms of therapy like cognitive-behavioral therapy, psychodynamic therapy, or humanistic therapy first, to understand how to create a safe and supportive therapeutic environment. This is an essential therapeutic skill to master before transitioning to psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Step 4: Secure a Mentorship

Working with an experienced and qualified mentor can provide the opportunity to learn insight into therapeutic techniques and guidance on handling difficult situations that may occur as a psychedelic therapist. 

Consider joining professional organizations like the Psychedelic Science Interest Group to connect with other professionals, find a mentor, gain access to ongoing education, and discover other training opportunities. 

How a Psychedelic Training Program Prepares You To Be a Psychedelic Therapist

Psychedelic training provides you with the education and tools to understand the power of psychedelic substances. It also provides a thorough understanding of the chemical composition, pharmacology, and effects of different psychedelics on the mind and body. Some individuals may be prone to risks that can damage the mind without a practitioner who has proper education about the effects and tools to use them. 

Psychedelic training can vary in format, focus, training modalities, and length. With most psychedelic training programs focusing on ketamine, psilocybin, and MDMA therapy, essential basic and practical competencies can include:

• Understanding the diverse cultural, social, and medical history of psychedelic use.
• Understanding the scientific, medical, and philosophical foundations of psychedelic therapy.
• Understanding and application of psychotherapeutic concepts, methods, and attitudes used in psychedelic therapy.
• Complying with legal requirements and how to address ethical challenges that may arise.
• Preventing and mitigating adverse effects during psychedelic use.
• Screening patients and planning treatments.
• Preparing patients for psychedelic experiences.
• Inducing and accompanying clients during psychedelic experiences in appropriate settings.
• Supporting patients during integration and assisting their transition to the post-treatment phase.

2 Popular Psychedelic Therapist Training Programs To Research

CIIS Center for Psychedelic Therapies and Research

The California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) is an organization that offers training in psychedelic therapy. 

CIIS created the Center for Psychedelic Therapies and Research (CPTR) in 2015 and the first-ever university-affiliated psychedelic therapies and research certificate program. The Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research certificate includes coursework to become more knowledgeable in the psychedelic therapeutic framework.

The 10-month program offers online and hybrid cohorts in San Francisco and Boston. Trainees learn a wide variety of necessary skills and knowledge bases, like:

• Pharmacology of psychedelics 
• Research design
• Psychedelic therapist competencies 
• History of use of psychoactive plants across the globe; and
• Cultural competencies for working with diverse clients

Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) MDMA Therapy Training Program

The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) offers a training program for therapists interested in working with psychedelic substances and providing MDMA-assisted therapy. 

MAPS’ International Therapist Education Program was established to equip care providers with theoretical fundamentals and best practices in psychedelic-assisted therapies. 

Participants in the five-day intensive programs learn the fundamental processes and concepts of the inner-directed approach including:

• Navigating preparation
• Medication
• Integration sessions
• Strengthening the therapeutic alliance; and 
• Navigating sensitive issues like:some text
  • Therapeutic touch
  • Suicidal ideation; and 
  • Transference and countertransference

If You’re a Psychedelic Therapist, Learn How To Become a Psilocybin Facilitator With Clinical Cognitive Training

Becoming a Psilocybin facilitator can contribute to your work as a psychedelic therapist. 

State law can dictate the amount of directive participation a psychedelic administrator can impart during a client’s journey.

Oregon law requires a non-directive approach, which means practitioners may support clients through psilocybin services but may not direct the client experience. With facilitator training, a psychedelic therapist can provide clients with the best care during the psilocybin administration session and utilize therapeutic services in subsequent sessions for interpretation.

Psilocybin facilitator training in Oregon has never been easier than with Clinical Cognitive Training’s flexible hybrid program. 

Among the first certified psilocybin facilitator training centers in the country, students have up to one year to complete the program through our online portal, most completing within a few months. After a 40-hour practicum through two one-week sessions at our licensed service center, you will be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide psilocybin or natural medicine facilitator services in Oregon and Colorado.

Learn more about how psilocybin facilitator training can help your clients. Contact Clinical Cognitive Training today.