Training
Over the course of five days, our training delves deeply into the psychological, physical and spiritual aspects of facilitating psychedelic therapy. These trainings are an inclusive, safely-contained space to experientially practice working with medicine, individually as both a participant and a guide, as well as experiencing the medicine in a group setting. Our vision is to impart our culturally-sensitive, trauma-informed protocol (honed from guiding hundreds of sessions) to professionals in a small group format that will give you the knowledge to offer this work to your present caseload, or to even expand your practice to new people looking to find healing in this rapidly expanding field. This training will prepare you in all aspects of this work from the initial consultation to how to best integrate the experience with your client.
Some of the topics covered in the curriculum are:
The logistics of being an informed guide, including the history and present studies of the use of psychedelics for healing
Speaking with potential clients
Screening and contraindications
The neurobiology underlying psychedelics
The use of ritual during a session
Client consent
Issues around race and cultural appropriation
Navigating transference and counter-transference (as they are greatly amplified in the psychedelic space)
The specifics of preparatory and integration sessions
Best practices for a psychedelic session
Managing challenges and possible scenarios that could arise
Included in the Training:
Shared accommodations
All meals and snacks
Two medicine journeys
Experiential guiding/facilitation for two medicine journeys
Individualized consultation during the training
An initial informational call
A group call prior to the training to start creating relationship
Seven, two hour zoom classes to better prepare for the in person training
In person group integration sessions
Continued post-training consultation
Is this training right for you?
It is important to know that this training and the ongoing process of this work has the potential to be deeply profound and transformative. It is also important you have the necessary tools, resources, experience, personal practices and support that will allow you to show up to this space fully. We are asking that you only apply if you are a licensed therapist, psychiatrist, or doctor. Or if you are someone who has EXTENSIVE experience with holding space for people (ideally while in non-ordinary states), including plant medicine guides seeking to expand their knowledge and skill set.
Some things to consider before applying:
During this training, you will be asked to self-reflect and turn inward, while also working collaboratively within a cohort of professionals. You will also be asked to attend to the physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual safety of others. And this work can be dynamic, so the ability to self-regulate in stress-inducing situations is incredibly important. An ability to remain open, flexible and curious along with a respect of the transcendence that can be obtained from altered states of consciousness are key. That said, this is an ongoing process, so it is also important to engage in continued learning, while remaining curious and staying in close relationship with these sacred medicines far beyond this particular training.
Psychedelic Therapy is not for the faint of heart, so here are some questions to ask yourself…
How does this work align with my life’s purpose?
Can I sit for long periods of time, often in silence, while maintaining a calm, regulated and compassionate presence (even in distressing situations)?
Do I have strong therapeutic, spiritual and healing practices in my personal life that would help anchor me during this work?
Required Resources List:
Because this work and this training are incredibly dense and layered, there is a required resources list that is to be completed before the training. This should be taken into consideration as well before applying.
The Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Psychedelic Sciences (paper), Dr. Eugenia Fatiou
The Psychedelic Explorer’s Guide (book), Dr. James Faddiman
The Entropic Brain (talk), Dr. Robin Carhartt-Harriss
MDMA Therapy for Trauma (talk), Dr. Ben Sessa
The Ethics of Caring (book), Kylea Taylor
2024
In Person Trainings:
03/06 - 03/10
With Zoom classes every Monday
starting January 22nd - March 4th
To Apply
Please click the button below to apply. From there, we will schedule a consultation call to discuss in more detail the logistics and requirements of this training and answer any questions you may have. Because of the intimate and dynamic nature of this work, we only accept a maximum of 6-9 people per training.
Portrait Photography by Gabriela Cardona