COLORADO LICENSED PSILOCYBIN FACILITATOR PROGRAM
Advance your skills and become a Colorado-Licensed Psilocybin Facilitator through Changa Institute’s expert-led, six-month hybrid program in an intimate small-group setting.
The application deadline for the January cohort is December 15th.
This 6-month, live online course meets the Colorado state regulations for legal psilocybin facilitation.
Our program integrates didactic instruction with hands-on learning in small group settings, fostering mentorship, collaborative learning, and peer support. Through case studies and practical training, you'll gain the knowledge and skills for responsible, compassionate practice.
Program Outcomes:
✔️ Support your clients' healing during psilocybin therapy, integration, and space holding
✔️ Guide clients in interpreting and integrating their psilocybin experiences to create lasting change
✔️ Use language and questions to deepen a patient's inner experience and healing to support your clients' healing
✔️ Ensure participant safety using evidence-based practices emphasizing ethics, harm reduction, and community care
✔️ Manage group dynamics by assessing and responding to various situations quickly and effectively
✔️ Recognize personal limitations and seek appropriate support within a network of professional educators and trusted experts
Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), the Oregon Health Authority (OHA), and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission (HECC) have approved and certified the Changa Institute’s program.
ACCREDITATION
The application deadline for the January cohort is December 15th.
Questions? Attend a Live Info Session
PROGRAM FORMAT
Learn alongside motivated and passionate peers in a cohort-based learning approach in this 6-month online course:
6 hours of instruction each week.
Each class is 2 hours long, 3 classes each week. Not all classes are live, but live classes must be attended in person.
Classes and coursework must be completed in the order it is released. Weekly Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on Zoom, 6:00–8:00 pm Mountain Time (MT).
4-5 hours weekly of self-guided work, including asynchronous content, readings, reflection journaling, assignments, and facilitator self-care activities.
Industry-leading instructors and renowned guest speakers.
Curriculum focusing on real-world applications, case studies, and practical training.
Small group cohort to foster mentorship, collaborative learning, and peer support.
Psilocybin Facilitation Curriculum and Schedule Overview
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Participants will move through the 6-month program with a series of modules. Attendance at live class sessions is required.
Weekly Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday on Zoom, 6:00–8:00 pm Mountain Time (MT).
Independent Work: Plan to spend an additional four to five hours per week on learning activities, including asynchronous content, readings, reflection journaling, assignments, and facilitator self-care activities.
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Module 1: Facilitator Best Practices
Module 2: Ethics and Colorado Natural Medicine Rules and Regulations
Module 3: Relation Boundaries and Introduction to Physical Touch
Module 4: Physical and Mental Health and State
Module 5: Drug Effects, Contraindications, and Interactions
Module 6: Introduction to Trauma-Informed Care
Module 7: Introduction to Suicide Risk
Module 8: Indigenous, Social, and Cultural Considerations
Module 9: Screening
Module 10: Preparation
Module 11: Administration
Module 12: Integration
Module 13: Group Facilitation
Module 14: Facilitator Development and Self-Care
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After completing Changa Institute's Psilocybin Facilitator Training Program, you will:
✔️ Master safety protocols and ethical practices in psilocybin services.
✔️ Apply evidence-based risk mitigation and harm reduction techniques.
✔️ Understand psilocybin's pharmacology and neurobiological effects.
✔️ Develop strong therapeutic presence and non-directive facilitation skills.
✔️ Conduct effective screening, preparation, administration, and integration sessions.
✔️ Implement trauma-informed and culturally sensitive approaches.
✔️ Navigate Colorado's Natural Medicine regulations competently.
✔️ Recognize and respond to psychological distress and medical emergencies.
✔️ Facilitate group sessions safely and effectively.
✔️ Guide clients in interpreting and integrating psilocybin experiences.
Start Date: January 13, ‘25
Duration: 6 month (150 hours)
Tuition: $6,699
Our graduates are at the forefront of the psychedelic movement.
Meet Jeanette Small and Dave Naftalin, the nation's first licensed psilocybin facilitators.
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Jeanette Small is a licensed psilocybin facilitator and founder of the psilocybin service center, Lucid Cradle, which is based in Bend, OR. She earned her BA in Psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), and completed her graduate work (MA, PhD) in Clinical Psychology with emphasis on Somatic Psychology at the Santa Barbara Graduate Institute (SBGI) before the institution was incorporated into the Chicago School of Professional Psychology in 2011. She has a breadth of clinical experience providing crisis response, counseling and psychotherapy to a variety of populations. Additionally, Jeanette is a professional artist with international exhibits and collectors.
Jeanette completed her training as a Psilocybin Facilitator at the Changa Institute and was licensed by the Oregon Health Authority in April 2023.
Jeanette is fluent in English, German and Russian.
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Licensed psilocybin facilitator, director of services at the Bend Inner Alchemy Psilocybin Service Center
83% of students graduate from the Changa Institute’s Licensed Psilocybin Facilitator Program.
Program Add-ons:
After completing our comprehensive 6-month psilocybin facilitator program, you'll have the opportunity to put your knowledge into practice through our exclusive Practicum and Professional Consultation program.
Note: All Colorado psilocybin facilitators must complete 40 hours of Practicum and 50 hours of consultation to become licensed. The Practicum and consultation are offered separately from the main Psilocybin Facilitation program and incur additional costs.
Become a Licensed Psilocybin Facilitator in 1 year:
Changa Institute will be with you every step of the way to make your psilocybin licensing journey easy and accessible. Our partnership with alumni-run service centers ensures you'll receive top-tier practical training, setting you apart in this emerging field.
Practicum
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Psilocybin Practicum with The Scared Mushroom Center – Portland, OR – $2,000
Travel and lodging expenses are not included in the practicum cost.
Click here to learn more.
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Holotropic Breathwork Practicum - Denver - $1,500
Travel and lodging expenses are not included in the practicum cost.
Click here to learn more.
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Click here to learn more about our signature retreats and experiences.
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Click here to learn more.
Consultation
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Colorado’s draft regulations (published February 23, 2024) indicate that 50 hours of consultation over a six month period will be a required component of training for psilocybin facilitators in the state of Colorado.
Changa Institute clinical supervision is specifically designed for individuals who fall into the following categories:
LPCCs seeking Colorado DORA-required supervision to fulfill licensure obligations.
Those in search of PDA hours to meet the LPC licensure renewal requirements.
*Professional Development Activity (PDA) hours are mandatory during the 2-year renewal cycle for LPCs in the state ofColorado.
Clinical supervision is $110 for 30 minutes, $165 for 45 minutes, or $200 for 60 minutes.
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Changa Institute provides professional consultation services to ensure you or your team remain well-informed about the latest developments in psychedelic therapy and client care. These services are offered alongside their psychedelic therapy training program.
Professional consultation is available to both licensed clinical professionals and non-licensed practitioners seeking:
Guidance with adding psychedelic-assisted therapy to your existing practice.
Best practices for helping clients process and integrate their psychedelic experiences.
Case consultation around ethics or safety.
Psychedelic education and harm reduction.
Discussion around the philosophies, approaches, and skills of psychedelic-assisted therapies.
Setting up your psychedelic-assisted therapy or support services practice.
Changa provides both one-on-one and group professional consultations. The cost of an individual consultation is $110 for a duration of 30 minutes, $165 for a duration of 45 minutes, or $200 for a duration of 1 hour.
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For practitioners and individuals seeking to stay updated on the latest developments in the mental health sector, specifically about psychedelic therapy and client care, Changa Institute offers coaching that can help you:
Set up an independent practice.
Grow your practice.
Practice your psychedelic work with authenticity and integrity.
Discover and develop your work style and inner talents.
Overcome the imposter syndrome.
Use entheogens and psychedelics for your own personal growth and healing, including integration into your business and career.
Individual coaching is $200 per hour. For group coaching, join our mailing list.
Changa provides both one-on-one and group professional consultations. The cost of an individual consultation is $110 for a duration of 30 minutes, $165 for a duration of 45 minutes, or $200 for a duration of 1 hour.
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Are you a new or experienced psilocybin facilitator? Are you looking for a casual and professional environment to connect with other providers who are doing the same? Do you have case consultation, best practice, or other questions you'd like to get input on? Join our Psilocybin Facilitator Virtual Consultation Group.
Our professional consultation group meets quarterly and all groups are drop-in style. Confirm your space each timeby registering here and paying a sliding scale drop-in rate (suggested $50-$75). A link to join the consultation group will be shared in the reminder email you receive on the day of the group.
Continuing Education
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What should we know about the services you provide? Better descriptions result in more sales.
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What should we know about the services you provide? Better descriptions result in more sales.
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Alex K.
“This is a great school that creates real caring facilitators who are there for the clients.”
Shannon M.
“Great training shows in the thought and quality put into the program—it doesn't feel like a box to check. As a licensed nutritionist, I found Changa's psilocybin facilitation program engaging and valuable. The heart-centered, experienced instructors made the live sessions and discussions impactful. I still keep in touch with many from my group and love the community they created.”
MEET YOUR LEAD INSTRUCTORS
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Lead Instructor
Samantha is a spiritual care practitioner trained in spiritual healing and interfaith chaplaincy.
She has worked at the NYU Center for Psychedelic Medicine on clinical trials exploring the treatment potential of psychedelic medicines. Her focus has been on trials of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of alcohol dependence and upcoming research on psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of existential distress in individuals with a cancer diagnosis. She offers spiritual healing and meditation through Atman Spiritual Healing, working with individuals who require healing preparation and integration support.
Samantha has completed graduate training from Columbia University in Spiritual Psychology, along with Interfaith Chaplaincy training from the Graduate Theological Union at Berkeley. Her contemplative training includes Vedanta yogic meditation lineage, Indo-Tibetan Dzogchen meditation, and both spiritual healing and constellation therapy. She is interested in integrating spiritual care and traditional healing practices into the facilitation process for psychedelic medicine work.
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Lead Instructor
Matthew is a licensed psilocybin facilitator actively supporting clients since co-facilitating the second session under Measure 109.
Matthew is an alum of the Changa Institute's first cohort and holds a Post-Graduate diploma in Teaching and Learning from the University of Canterbury College of Education, along with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ecology from the Evergreen State College. As a facilitator, he actively engages in ongoing professional development, recently completing an End-of-Life Doula certification from the End-of-Life Psychedelic Care training program. Matthew values the sharing of experiences through leading practicums and classes for facilitator training programs, participating in panel discussions at symposiums, being an active member of several facilitator support networks, and preparing and supporting clients through every stage of their personal journey with psilocybin.
With six years of experience as a youth crisis interventionist and program supervisor for at-risk young adults, he possesses a robust background in employing a trauma-informed approach to assist others through challenging situations and personal development. As a trained educator and experienced teacher, Matthew ensures his clients are well-prepared for their psilocybin journey, and he extends this commitment to the training of future facilitators. His decade-long dedication to endangered species recovery projects allowed him to work hands-on with a variety of wildlife honing his skills in relating to various forms of consciousness and nonverbal communication. Matthew's passion for entheogens has been cultivated over the course of 25 years and he is deeply grateful for the opportunity to utilize his range of skills and experiences in support of his community in the purposeful use of psilocybin and in training future facilitators.
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Instructor
Research Assistant Professor, NYU Psychedelic Research Training Program Fellowship Recipient 2020-2023
B.S., M.A., PhD. Arizona State University
Research Assistant Professor, Arizona State University
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Instructor
Carla Aspesberger is a conduit for holistic transformation, blending therapy, somatic work, and energy codes all through the heart of fascia to guide others on their journey of self-healing. Carla's journey as an integration specialist is a mosaic of dedication and a ceaseless thirst for wisdom. With over a decade of teaching across six countries, she has synthesized wisdom from Traditional Psychology, Eastern Vedic traditions, Shamanic rituals, and modern Biohacking to create a unique, integrative approach that works.
Her sessions combine ancient wisdom and contemporary science, offering an experience where breath becomes a bridge to the soul, inspiring profound self-discovery and awakening sovereign potential. Through the lens of fascia—the body’s connective intelligence—she helps unlock profound shifts in emotional, mental, and physical well-being. She specializes in depression and trauma-informed care.
In her presence, students discover that true transformation arises not from seeking externally, but from aligning with the divinity already within.
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Instructor
Dr. Manesh Girn is a postdoctoral neuroscientist specializing in psychedelic drugs. Working closely with Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris, he conducts functional neuroimaging research on the neural mechanisms underlying the psychedelic experience and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
He has been lead or co-author of over 20 peer-reviewed publications to date on topics spanning psychedelics, the default mode network, and related aspects of consciousness and cognition.
Manesh also serves as the Chief Research Officer at EntheoTech Bioscience, a pioneering Canadian bioscience company focused on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and multidisciplinary mental health solutions.
Beyond academia and industry, he runs a popular digital platform on YouTube and Instagram called "The Psychedelic Scientist”, where he disseminates the latest findings and developments in psychedelic science in a layperson friendly manner.
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Instructor
Kylea Taylor, M.S., LMFT (CA MFC #34901) developed and now teaches InnerEthics®, a self-reflective, self-compassionate approach to ethical relationships for therapists and practitioners. She wrote The Ethics of Caring: Finding Right Relationship with Clients and has been writing and teaching about ethics for three decades.
In ordinary coaching or therapy, it is relatively easy to remember ethical guidelines, codes and laws. Yet when we are sitting for people who are experiencing extra-ordinary states of consciousness, the intensity often requires the additional ethical alertness of self-inquiry.
InnerEthics® Awareness Tools help us gently identify motivations, fears, biases, conflicts of interest, and ethically precarious relational situations before these result in behaviors that might compromise a client’s healing or expansion.
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Instructor
Alex Love is an Executive Coach who specializes in delivering impactful training and coaching to leaders and their teams to foster workplace cultures of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Alex Love is the Founder and CEO of Alex Love Consulting, a dynamic network of HR consultants, trainers, and strategists dedicated to fostering inclusive workplace cultures. Through climate assessments, policy analyses, and actionable plans, Alex and their team partner with organizations to ensure sustainability and accountability in HR and DEI practices. They also specialize in Fair Chance Employment, advising employers on creating policies and programs to support formerly incarcerated individuals. Previously, Alex held senior HR roles at Vice Media, where they managed employee relations, developed a performance management system, and launched the company’s first Apprenticeship Program for justice-impacted individuals. With a degree in Sociocultural Anthropology from NYU, Alex brings a unique perspective to building impactful workplace strategies and retreats. They are based in New York City and Las Vegas.
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Instructor
Christine Caldwell is an Educator, Advocate, and Founder/Executive Director for End of Life Psychedelic Care, a nonprofit whose mission is to create the environment where the safe use of psychedelic medicine is accessible and affordable for anyone faced with a life-threatening illness. She is the Co-Chair of the Dying Well Initiative, a part of the Global Wellness Institute, and a graduate of the year-long Psychedelics Today Vital Therapies and Integration Program. Christine is also the former owner of a 250-client home health care agency.
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Program Director
Julia Rose Schatten is a dedicated educator with almost two decades of experience. She earned her Masters of Science in Education from Bank Street College of Education and has taught in numerous private schools across diverse settings in Hong Kong, South Korea, New York City, and Los Angeles. Julia's teaching philosophy focuses on developing customized curriculums that cater to individual interests, empowering learners, and fostering comprehensive understanding and skill development. She advocates for an interactive, hands-on approach that not only meets program requirements but also promotes engagement and meaningful learning experiences.
FAQs
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Absolutely, non-Colorado residents are eligible for the Changa Institute's psilocybin facilitator training. Our program caters to a diverse, global audience, offering valuable insights and training in psychedelic therapy for both professional development and personal enrichment. Whether you're pursuing certification or seeking personal growth, our program provides a comprehensive learning experience.
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At the Changa Institute, your unique journey and background are valued in our training program. You don't need to be a licensed therapist or mental health professional to join us. We welcome individuals from all walks of life, recognizing that diverse experiences and perspectives enrich our learning community. Whether you're exploring a new career path in psychedelic therapy or seeking personal growth, our program is designed to be inclusive and nurturing for all.
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Changa Institute caters to diverse learning needs. The tuition for our 150-hour Psilocybin Facilitator Training and Certification Program is $6,599 (note: this track requires a separate 40-hour practicum and 50-hour consultation).
We offer a monthly payment plan of 6 equal payments of $1,196. Additionally, for your convenience, we have partnered with Klarna, which offers payment plans as low as $260 per month, subject to credit approval.
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At Changa Institute, we've crafted a learning environment that feels personal and engaging for every trainee. Our Psilocybin Facilitator Training Program limits class sizes to 20 students, ensuring an intimate setting where your unique experiences and insights are valued. We're not just teaching; we're exploring and refining the best practices in psychedelic facilitation alongside you. This approach allows us to continuously improve and share our learnings, directly benefiting you and the broader community of practitioners.
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Our Psilocybin Facilitation Training program is a hybrid format featuring 2-hour live Zoom sessions and self-paced asynchronous materials. Classes are held three times a week on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.
Additionally, we offer an immersive, expert-led practicum separately, ensuring comprehensive hands-on training for certification.
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Our Colorado Psilocybin Facilitator Training program requires a commitment to 150 instructional hours. Additionally, Colorado mandates 40 hours for practicum and 50 hours for professional consultation. Students should also plan to dedicate approximately 80 hours to reading, writing, and other assignments, averaging 3-4 hours of homework per week over the six-month training period.
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The Changa Institute's Psychedelic Facilitation Certificate Program acknowledges the profound role of indigenous spiritual traditions in the realm of psychedelic medicines. While fully encapsulating these traditions academically is challenging, the program emphasizes honoring these ancestral practices. Key modules like Ancestral Entheogenic Traditions, taught by Samantha Podrebarac, and Reciprocity and Ecological Awareness, incorporate insights from traditional lineages. Additionally, the curriculum includes perspectives on spiritual faith, justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, alongside guest speakers from various backgrounds sharing their expertise in plant medicine.
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We cannot require or encourage direct experience with substances that are not federally legal. We recognize that many people don’t have access to legally protected plant medicines or fear legal consequences, and we acknowledge that legal consequences can disproportionately impact communities of color.
At the Changa Institute, we recognize the importance of firsthand experience in psychedelic facilitation training. To legally facilitate these experiences, we have established partnerships with our alumni who now operate licensed psilocybin service centers. Through these collaborations, we offer our students legal and immersive guided experiences, enriching their educational journey.
Other optional experiences that may be available as part of the Changa Insitute program include holotropic breathwork, prescription ketamine treatment, and traditional use of the salvia divinorum plant.
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The Changa Institute's Psychedelic Facilitation Certificate Program values the diverse backgrounds of its applicants and instructors, including those with a spiritual connection to psychedelic medicines. The program encourages sharing these experiences during application, interview, or enrollment. Admission considers the depth of each applicant's experience, and the program is open to unlicensed, traditionally trained psychedelic facilitators. This inclusive approach enriches the learning experience, catering to both scientific and spiritual perspectives.
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At the Changa Institute, our experienced team meticulously assesses each applicant for attributes like humility, self-awareness, and a dedication to social justice. Through interviews, we ensure that candidates are well-suited to become psychedelic facilitators. Our program aims to cultivate a deep sense of humility and a commitment to reciprocal practices in our students. We prioritize diversity in our student body to foster mutual learning and alliance-building, enhancing the field of psychedelic therapy. A key aspect of our training involves encouraging learners to develop cultural humility through introspection and understanding of diverse perspectives.
BECOME A LICENSED PSILOCYBIN FACILITATOR IN COLORADO
To become a licensed psilocybin facilitator in Colorado, a practitioner must first complete a Colorado-approved Psilocybin Facilitator Training Program.