How to find a psilocybin-competent therapist: a practical guide
234 replies · Therapy
I want to work with a therapist either before, during, or after a psilocybin experience. But I don't know how to identify someone who actually knows what they're talking about versus someone who's read one book and claims expertise. What questions do I ask? What credentials matter? What are the red flags?
Questions that reveal real training: How do you approach difficult or challenging sessions? What's your understanding of the psychedelic therapeutic relationship? What training have you completed and through what organization? How do you handle MDMA-specific versus psilocybin-specific considerations? Someone with depth will have substantive answers to all of these.
Red flags: 'I'll guide you through it' without specifying what that means. Claims to guarantee positive outcomes. Not asking about your medical and psychiatric history. Pressure to commit before you've established comfort and trust. Very low prices that don't reflect the time commitment of actual preparation and integration support.
The MAPS-trained therapist directory and the Zendo Project's training graduates are reasonable starting points for finding experienced practitioners. Certification matters less than experience, supervision, and how they talk about their work.
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