Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies

Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (PAT) is a rapidly evolving field. This non-degree certificate is designed to prepare practitioners to work in collaboration with prescribers, clinics, and interdisciplinary health care teams if and when regulatory approval is achieved. As the regulatory space is emergent, it may be that additional training will be required for credentialing depending on the legal context and the practitioners’ licensing board.  The future trajectory and guidelines for practicing Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies are yet to be determined by regulatory bodies, and will vary by region, regulatory agency, and protocol.

2023 marks an exciting time in the psychedelic landscape where states including Oregon, Colorado, and possibly others in the coming years have implemented legal access to psilocybin therapies. Naropa’s application to be recognized as an approved site for Oregon residents wishing to become psilocybin therapy providers is pending. As guidelines for practitioners in Colorado become available, Naropa will aim to meet and fully comply with those training standards. 

While MAPS PBC is working on the New Drug Application to the FDA, there are no guarantees about the approval of MDMA-assisted therapy, or what the specific requirements will be for therapists wishing to deliver this treatment. It is likely that there will be a training requirement, and that therapists and other qualified professionals who have previously participated in MAPS PBC educational programs will need to complete some supplementary training, while therapists who have not previously participated will need to complete the entire program. As part of these training requirements, MAPS PBC continues to plan for all therapists to complete a required number of hours delivering MDMA-assisted therapy and receiving consultation from a qualified MPBC Training Consultant.

Ketamine-assisted therapy (KAP) is currently approved for off-label use by qualified clinicians working with an authorized prescriber. All certificate enrollees will receive foundational training in Ketamine-Assisted Therapy. The KAP module provides introductory training in psychopharmacological mechanisms, clinical indications and contraindications, and beginning understandings of assessment, treatment planning and coordinating care in treatment teams. Unlike with other psychedelic medicines where there will be specific certifications and/or supervision needed, there is no nationally recognized certification needed to provide KAP. The Naropa Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies provides a foundational, classroom-based introduction to KAP. For those who wish to begin offering this modality, we strongly recommend choosing the non-ordinary state training option with PRATI to move beyond didactic training and into experiential training to enhance your competency. During the ketamine module in July, we will also include a list of vetted trainings that we recommend, which often include an experiential component of trainees engaging in their own ketamine sessions.

Psilocybin research is demonstrating promising results for the treatment of depression, end-of-life anxiety, addiction, and other mental health conditions, but the future timeline and trajectory for legal and FDA-approved psilocybin-assisted therapy is yet to be determined. There is currently litigation in federal court seeking to make psilocybin available to patients with life-threatening conditions under the federal Right to Try Act. Depending on the outcome, there may soon be a pathway to lawfully engage in psilocybin therapy with qualified clients. Naropa is actively pursuing approved training program eligibility in fulfillment of Oregon’s newly-released requirements for psilocybin therapy, per Measure 109, and any updates will be included here. For licensure eligibility under OPS, Naropa trainees will need to complete an additional 40-hour practicum and meet all eligibility requirements.

Colorado recently passed proposition 122 – a measure that decriminalized psilocybin mushroom possession for adults, and will eventually allow state-licensed treatment centers to administer psilocybin according to state regulations. Naropa is closely following these developments and will announce important regulatory updates.

Many Naropa certificate program alumnx are currently practicing in the field by offering psychedelic integration, participating in clinical trials research, and offering ketamine-assisted therapy.