What Makes a Good Psychedelic Therapist? Questions to Ask When Looking for One

Research shows that psychedelic therapy has therapeutic potential for those who live with mental health conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. However, seeking the right therapist for your needs may not be as simple as getting a referral from your doctor. Your primary care provider may not be fully informed on the who, what, where, how, and why of getting psychedelic therapy. We recommend searching our extensive directory of psychedelic health providers for the best fit for you.

“A good therapist emphasizes the importance of integrating insights gained during psychedelic sessions into everyday life, offering tools and strategies to support lasting change.”

— Katharine Chan, MSc, BSc, PMP

In addition, finding a psychedelic therapist can be more complicated than finding a traditional therapist because it involves additional layers of specialization, legality, and ethical considerations. Psychedelics are still federally illegal in many places, except for specific cases like ketamine or psilocybin in approved jurisdictions. 

Psychedelic-assisted therapists must navigate complex legal frameworks to ensure their practice remains compliant while offering ethical and safe care. Compared to traditional therapy, there are fewer professionals trained and certified in psychedelic-assisted therapy. This scarcity makes finding a qualified provider more challenging. 

When seeking a psychedelic therapist, it’s essential to evaluate their qualifications, experience, and personal qualities to ensure they are well-suited to guide you through this profound and potentially transformative journey. This article provides a list of key factors to look for in a good psychedelic therapist and questions to ask before you start your session.

Education

A qualified psychedelic therapist often holds advanced degrees. Verify they are licensed to practice in their state or country, as licensure ensures they meet their profession’s legal and ethical standards. 

A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (MD) trained to diagnose, manage, and treat mental health conditions. A Clinical Psychologist with a PhD primarily performs evidence-based clinical work and mental health research, whereas a PsyD psychologist typically focuses on clinical training.

Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs) specialize in therapy and case management, often addressing mental health issues within broader social contexts like family dynamics, socioeconomic challenges, or systemic oppression. A Master of Social Work (MSW) is an academic degree that provides training in social work, including clinical and non-clinical practices. An MSW graduate may work in various settings but are not licensed to provide therapy independently until they obtain licensure (e.g., LCSW).

A Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) focuses on treating individuals, couples, and families, often addressing issues like communication, conflict resolution, and relationship dynamics. Their training equips them to consider how interpersonal relationships impact mental health.

Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC) specialize in individual and group therapy, including diagnoses, education, and harm reduction. They focus on a range of mental health issues, including trauma, anxiety, and depression. 

Training

Psychedelic therapy requires specific training beyond general mental health education. Therapists must be well-versed in the unique therapeutic techniques and non-ordinary states of consciousness associated with psychedelic experiences, which standard mental health programs do not cover.

A good psychedelic therapist should have completed formal clinician training in psychedelic-assisted therapy, with certifications from programs like the ones offered by Polaris Insight Center, Integrative Psychiatry Institute, or similar institutions. Professionals keep up to date with the latest approaches and earn continuing education credits (CE/CME) through courses specifically about psychedelic therapy.

Harm reduction training is an essential aspect of a psychedelic therapist’s expertise. It helps their clients make informed decisions and ensures their journey is as safe and constructive as possible. This training equips therapists to minimize risks associated with psychedelic use while promoting safety and well-being. Therapists should be able to provide practical guidance on topics such as proper dosing, set and setting, and substance interactions. Harm reduction also involves supporting clients in challenging experiences during sessions and preparing for safe, intentional use.

Lastly, the field of psychedelics is rapidly growing and continuously evolving as more research is being conducted and published. A qualified psychedelic therapist stays current with the latest best practices and standards. They regularly attend conferences, read publications, take courses, disseminate the latest research, and participate in workshops.

Certification

Seek therapists with a solid foundation in traditional mental health care. They should demonstrate competence in handling a range of psychological issues, from trauma to depression. Training in ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, MDMA-assisted psychotherapy, or similar modalities is a strong indicator of expertise. Additionally, ensure they have completed supervised clinical hours in psychedelic-assisted therapy, which provides hands-on experience under expert guidance.

Professional Clinical Experience

Psychedelic therapy isn’t just about the experience itself — it involves significant pre-session preparation and post-session integration. A therapist must have expertise in helping clients make sense of and apply insights gained, which traditional therapy emphasizes less commonly.

A psychedelic therapist should have substantial professional clinical experience that equips them to handle the unique challenges of psychedelic therapy. This expertise includes:

• General Mental Health Practice: Experience working with diverse populations in traditional therapeutic settings, addressing common mental health concerns such as anxiety, depression, trauma, and PTSD. This experience establishes a strong foundation for understanding complex psychological dynamics.

• Trauma-Informed Care: Psychedelics can often bring unresolved trauma to the surface. The therapist should be skilled in managing and integrating trauma responses during and after psychedelic sessions.

• Substance Use Expertise: Familiarity with addiction and substance use issues, as these often come up with psychedelic therapy. Understanding harm reduction and safe usage practices is critical.

• Somatic and Body-Based Practices: Experience in somatic therapies can be invaluable, as psychedelic experiences often manifest physically. A therapist skilled in somatic awareness can help guide clients to understand how their emotional states manifest physically and facilitate deeper healing.

• Group Facilitation: If they facilitate group psychedelic sessions, they should have prior experience and specific training in managing group dynamics and ensuring psychological safety in a communal setting.

• Clinical Supervision: They should have completed supervised clinical hours in psychedelic-assisted therapy under an experienced mentor. This hands-on training ensures they have encountered and managed the nuanced challenges of this work.

• Crisis Management: Experience handling acute psychological distress, such as panic attacks or dissociation, is vital to support clients during challenging experiences safely.

• Integration Therapy: A strong track record of helping clients integrate their insights and experiences into daily life is crucial for ensuring the long-term benefits of the therapy.

This combination of skills ensures the therapist is not only clinically competent but also attuned to the profound and unique nature of psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Strong Psychedelic Knowledge Base

A good psychedelic therapist will have a strong knowledge base of various substances, including their history, pharmacology, mechanisms of action, therapeutic potential, risks, and contraindications, as well as the preparation and integration process. This level of expertise requires extensive ongoing education and experience. 

They should operate within the boundaries of the law and maintain the highest ethical standards, particularly in jurisdictions that have not fully legalized psychedelics. They should educate clients about safety practices, preparation, and integration, ensuring a comprehensive approach to care.

Underground Options

Psychedelic Support does not promote underground options for psychedelic therapy because these settings often lack the safety, accountability, and oversight necessary for a therapeutic experience. Therapists may not adhere to professional or ethical standards in underground environments, which increases the risk of harm, boundary violations, or unaddressed trauma.

Choosing underground options also exposes clients to legal risks, as the use and possession of psychedelics remain illegal in many places. Clients may have limited recourse without legal protections if something goes wrong during or after the experience.

Questions To Ask About Their Education and Background

When seeking a psychedelic therapist, it’s crucial to ensure they have the appropriate education and training to guide clients safely and ethically. Here are some key questions to ask about their education and background:

• What is your formal education and professional background in mental health?

• What specific training have you completed in psychedelic-assisted therapy?

• Are you certified or in the process of certification by organizations like MAPS or others focused on psychedelics?

• How many clients have you worked with in a psychedelic context, and what kinds of psychedelics have you worked with?

• What experience do you have working with individuals from my demographic or with my specific challenges?

• How do you stay informed about the latest research and ethical guidelines in psychedelic therapy?

• Do you offer preparation and integration therapy? What does that process look like?

• Please describe your psychedelic therapeutic approach.

• Have you received somatic or trauma-informed training to complement your psychedelic work?

By asking these questions, you can ensure that the therapist has the knowledge, skills, and ethical grounding to support you effectively in your journey.

Personal Qualities

The profound nature of psychedelic experiences demands a therapist who can provide deep empathy, somatic awareness, and a compassionate presence. These qualities, combined with the technical skills, narrow the pool of suitable practitioners.

Look for someone who exudes sincerity and cultivates a safe, nonjudgmental, and trusting environment. The ideal therapist should demonstrate genuine care, understanding, and the ability to connect deeply with their clients. Effective therapists respect diverse experiences and perspectives, avoiding bias or imposing their beliefs. 

A good therapist prioritizes your unique needs, goals, and experiences, tailoring their approach to suit you. They emphasize the importance of integrating insights gained during psychedelic sessions into everyday life, offering tools and strategies to support lasting change. Such a therapist should be skilled in working with trauma and aware of how psychedelics can both help and complicate trauma healing.

They should explain their methods, fees, and expectations clearly and early on, ensuring you feel informed and empowered. A trustworthy therapist maintains ethical boundaries and fosters a professional and respectful therapeutic relationship. Review testimonials or references from other clients or professionals to assess their reputation and effectiveness.

The American Psychological Association suggests the following to consider when looking for a therapist:

• Is the therapist licensed? Each state is responsible for ensuring therapists are competent to provide their services. Only those with proper training receive a license.

• If you have health insurance, will it cover the therapy from this provider?

• Are there limits to the number of sessions covered by your insurance?

Personal Experience With Psychedelics

While not always required, therapists with personal experience with psychedelics often bring a nuanced understanding to their work. Vetting for such experience—while ensuring they maintain professional boundaries—adds complexity.

Therapists with personal experience using psychedelics, either through legal or ceremonial contexts, often have a deeper understanding of the states of consciousness their clients may experience. However, they should use this experience responsibly without projecting their own journeys onto clients. They should actively engage in their own personal and professional development, including ongoing education about psychedelics and their therapeutic uses.

Finding the right psychedelic therapist requires thoughtful consideration and thorough research. By focusing on these qualities, you can identify a professional who will guide you with integrity, skill, and compassion, helping you navigate your journey safely and meaningfully.

References

American Psychological Association (APA) Div. 12 (Society of Clinical Psychology). (2017, July 31). How Do I Find a Good Therapist? Clinical Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder. https://www.apa.org/ptsd-guideline/patients-and-families/finding-good-therapist

Harvard Health Staff. (2024, March 5). 10 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Therapist. Harvard Health Publishing: Harvard Medical School. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/10-questions-to-ask-when-choosing-a-therapist

Smith, D. G. (2023, June 3). What Does Good Psychedelic Therapy Look Like? The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/03/well/mind/psychedelic-therapy.html

Stanborough, R. J., & Lee, M. (2024, August 19). How to Find a Therapist: 8 Tips from Experts on Searching for the Right Fit (P. Syed, Ed.). Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-find-a-therapist