Naropa University launches state-approved online Psilocybin Facilitator Training Programme

Naropa University has announced the launch of its Psilocybin Facilitator Training (PFT) certificate, which has become one of the first state-approved training programmes under Colorado’s Natural Medicine Health Act (NMHA) regulations.

The programme is also approved by the Oregon Health Authority (OHA) and the Colorado Department of Regulatory Affairs (DORA), providing comprehensive training for psilocybin facilitators.

Naropa University, located in Boulder, Colorado, is known for its integration of contemplative practices with professional training in psychedelic-assisted therapies. The university was founded in 1974 by Tibetan Buddhist teacher Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche. It combines eastern wisdom with western scholarship, focusing on the holistic development of students.

The PFT certificate is offered through the Naropa Center for Psychedelic Studies (NCPS) and aims to equip facilitators with the necessary skills and knowledge to conduct psilocybin sessions safely and ethically.

The six-month, 150-hour online programme combines live class sessions with self-paced content. After completing the coursework, trainees must undergo a 40-hour experiential practicum under the supervision of experienced mentors. This practicum is a licensure requirement for psilocybin facilitators in Colorado and Oregon.

Charles G. Lief, president of Naropa University, highlighted the institution's unique position in offering this programme.

“As a leader in integrating contemplative practices and training with counselling psychology, professional chaplaincy, eco-psychology and other healing disciplines, Naropa is uniquely positioned to provide an in-depth, rigorous education in essential aspects of psychedelic-assisted education and training,” he said.

Naropa’s PFT programme is distinctive due to its grounding in a healing justice framework.

Dr. Diana Quinn, ND, director of clinical education for NCPS, explained, “What makes Naropa’s programme unique is how it is grounded in a healing justice framework, which is an abolitionist approach that aims to demystify healing by empowering community members to engage in harm reduction and community care.”

The curriculum not only focuses on technical skills but also incorporates contemplative practice, trauma-informed ethics, and a liberatory harm reduction approach. It emphasises the importance of ethical integrity, self-care, and the examination of implicit biases in relational dynamics.

The programme is available to clinicians licensed by DORA, Indigenous lineage carriers, legacy practitioners, and community members committed to ethical care for vulnerable populations. Admissions criteria include a demonstrated commitment to ethical integrity, a robust personal practice of self-care, and a willingness to address power and privilege issues.

Joseph Harrison, executive director of NCPS, underscored the importance of the programme in light of expanding access to psychedelics.

“There is a pressing need to train practitioners to deliver these healing modalities. Our new Psilocybin Facilitator Training certificate satisfies the didactic education requirements for Colorado and Oregon and teaches the important skills that practitioners will need to be successful in this emerging field,” he said.

Naropa’s 2024 PFT programme is fully enrolled, and details about NCPS programmes and scholarship opportunities for 2025 will be announced this autumn. For more information or to inquire about enrolling, visit Naropa’s website.