Is Psychedelic Therapy Training Right for You? What Colorado Practitioners Need to Know

As Colorado emerges as a national leader in psychedelic-assisted therapy, many mental health professionals are asking the question: Is psychedelic therapy training right for me? With the state rolling out a regulated program for natural psychedelic medicine—most notably psilocybin—training and certification pathways are now available for both licensed clinicians and non-clinical facilitators.

But this isn’t a path to take lightly. Psychedelic therapy touches deep aspects of human consciousness and healing. It requires a blend of emotional intelligence, clinical competence, cultural humility, and an ethical foundation.

If you’re a current or aspiring mental health practitioner in Colorado, this guide will help you determine whether psychedelic therapy training fits your career, values, and readiness.

Colorado’s Psychedelic Therapy Landscape: A Quick Overview

In 2022, Colorado voters approved Proposition 122, also known as the Natural Medicine Health Act. The legislation decriminalized psilocybin and a few other entheogens and created a regulated framework for supervised, licensed facilitation.

The program—overseen by Colorado’s Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) and the Natural Medicine Advisory Board—includes licensure for two main roles:

1. Facilitator License: Open to anyone over 21 who completes approved training. No prior clinical license required.

2. Clinical Facilitator License: For licensed professionals (e.g., LPCs, LCSWs, psychologists, MDs) who want to incorporate psychedelic facilitation into their practice.

With legal frameworks and training infrastructure now in place, Colorado has become one of the most attractive states for building a career in psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Why Professionals Are Turning to Psychedelic Therapy

Mental health professionals are increasingly drawn to psychedelics for their potential to treat trauma, depression, anxiety, end-of-life distress, and substance use disorders—often where conventional therapy falls short.

In clinical trials, substances like psilocybin and MDMA (not yet legal under Colorado’s program) have shown significant efficacy in reducing symptoms of PTSD and treatment-resistant depression. However, these results are not only about the drug, but the context—the therapeutic relationship, integration process, and support structure.

That’s where training comes in.

What Training Involves

Becoming a psychedelic therapist or facilitator is not just about learning drug protocols—it’s a deep dive into psychology, ethics, somatics, trauma-informed care, cultural awareness, and the altered states of consciousness. Most Colorado-approved training programs include:

1. 150+ hours of didactic coursework

2. 40 hours of supervised practicum or participant interaction

3. 50 hours of consultation and mentoring

4. Ethics and safety protocols

5. Optional (but often recommended) experiential components with legal substances (e.g., ketamine or cannabis)

Training typically takes 4–12 months and costs $8,000–$13,000, depending on the program.

Top Training Programs in Colorado

Here are some of the most established psychedelic therapy training programs currently operating in the state:

1. Changa Institute (Colorado-based, State-Approved)

The Changa Institute is one of the few programs in Colorado officially approved by DORA, the Office of Natural Medicine, and the Colorado Board of Private Occupational Schools.
Their Psilocybin Facilitator Certification Program is comprehensive and includes:

1. Experiential learning and peer consultation

2. Emphasis on ethics, cultural humility, and trauma-informed care

3. Pathway to state licensure

Website: changainstitute.com

2. Naropa University – Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies

Naropa, a contemplative university in Boulder, offers a rigorous certificate designed for licensed professionals. Their program:

1. Combines theory, somatics, mindfulness, and spiritual care

2. Offers practicum opportunities (e.g., ketamine-assisted therapy)

3. Will soon offer a psilocybin facilitation consultation program (2025)

Website: naropa.edu

3. SoundMind Institute

This program offers a multi-tiered training structure designed to suit various levels of experience:

Level 1: Online foundational coursework

Level 2: In-person practicum (ketamine, psilocybin optional)

Level 3: Advanced supervision and retreats

SoundMind’s hybrid learning model makes it flexible for working professionals.

Website: soundmind.training

4. InnerTrek

Previously approved in Oregon and now licensed in Colorado, InnerTrek is another program aligned with state certification requirements. It includes trauma-informed care, ethics, and immersive practicum modules with an emphasis on ceremony and integration.

Website: innertrek.org

Is This Path Right for You?

Before diving into psychedelic therapy training, here are key questions to ask yourself:

1. Do I Feel Called to This Work—Professionally and Personally?

Facilitating psychedelic experiences isn’t just another modality to add to your toolbox. It can be deeply transformative—for your clients, and for you. Ask yourself:

1. Am I comfortable holding space for intense emotional states?

2. Do I have the personal maturity and self-awareness for this work?

3. Am I open to non-ordinary states of consciousness?

2. Am I Ready for the Time, Cost, and Emotional Commitment?

Training is a serious commitment in time and money. Some programs also involve experiential sessions, which can bring up your own material for processing.

Expect to invest:

1. 4–12 months of part-time study

2. $8,000–$13,000 in tuition

3. Extra costs for travel, supervision, and licensure

3. Do I Meet the Eligibility Requirements?

You don’t have to be a therapist to get licensed in Colorado, but if you’re applying for the clinical facilitator license, you’ll need:

1. A valid license to practice therapy or medicine in Colorado

2. No recent disciplinary actions

3. Completion of an approved training program

For the non-clinical facilitator license, you’ll need to:

1. Be at least 21 years old

2. Complete 150+ hours of training, plus practicum and consultation

3. Pass a background check

4. How Will This Fit Into My Practice or Career Path?

For licensed therapists, psychedelic training may expand your service offerings, create niche appeal, or deepen your trauma or end-of-life work. For non-clinicians, it could launch a new career in healing.

However, the field is still evolving, and much of your practice will depend on local legal interpretations, facility availability, and public interest.

5. Am I Prepared to Uphold Ethical and Cultural Standards?

Psychedelics have deep roots in Indigenous traditions and spiritual practices. Working ethically means:

1. Avoiding cultural appropriation

2. Understanding the history of these medicines

3. Maintaining strict boundaries and safety standards

4. Ensuring integration support for participants

This work can also be re-traumatizing or destabilizing if done improperly—so ethical rigor and trauma literacy are non-negotiable.

Pros and Cons at a Glance

Final Thoughts: Should You Take the Leap?

Psychedelic therapy training is not for everyone. It’s not a quick credential or a trendy pivot—it’s a deeply spiritual, emotional, and clinical calling.

But if you feel aligned with the values of healing, consciousness work, and community care—and if you’re ready for the responsibilities that come with facilitating such profound experiences—then this path might be the most meaningful work you ever do.

Colorado offers one of the most robust frameworks in the country, and with the right training, support, and intention, you can be part of a movement that reshapes mental health for decades to come.