The Fundamentals of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies for Mental Health
Discover how psychedelic medicine is reshaping mental health treatment in this 6-week online course. Learn the science, clinical applications, and protocols to stay at the forefront of this emerging field.
Course begins on 6 October 2024
London: 9am (BST)
* Recordings will be made available for course members
Learn how psychedelic medicines are going to affect the mental health paradigm, and how you can stay ahead of the curve to better serve your patients' needs.
This course is also open to the general public.
Course begins on 6 October 2024
London: 9am (BST)
* Recordings will be made available for course members
Learn how psychedelic medicines are going to affect the mental health paradigm, and how you can stay ahead of the curve to better serve your patients' needs.
This course is also open to the general public.
What is this training program?
This is a 6-part online training program on the Fundamentals of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies.
The course is designed to educate a broad range of medical and mental health professionals, those with lived experience and consumers on the science and clinical use of psychedelics.
This course will get you up to speed on these paradigm shifting treatments, and help you understand how these medicines will affect your practice, patients, families and communities.
-
Learn from leaders in psychedelic medicine
-
6x Weekly live lectures
-
Pre-reading material, additional learning resources and assessment of course learning outcomes
-
Lifetime access to recordings
-
Certificate of completion (12 CPD hours)
Delivered live on Sundays from 6 October - 10 November
Course Outline
Sunday 6 October at 9am BST/7pm AEDT
Psychedelic medicines have been used by human cultures around the world for thousands of years. We begin with an overview of this historical context, before looking at the modern research that is investigating how they work and in what cases they may be of benefit. You’ll learn:
-
The history of psychedelics throughout western and ancient cultures
-
The different classes of psychedelic substances and proposed mechanisms of action
-
The pharmacology of psychedelic medicines and what effects they cause biologically
-
The research supporting the use of psychedelics for mental illness
-
Sunday 13 October at 9am BST/7pm AEDT
As the name suggests, psychedelic-assisted therapies are about the therapy just as much as they are about the psychedelic. In our second module you’ll learn about the features of this approach to the treatment of mental illness. You’ll learn:
-
What a psychedelic-assisted therapy protocol looks like
-
The three phases of psychedelic-assisted therapy: screening/preparation, dosing & integration
-
Why thorough screening for psychedelic-assisted therapy is so important
-
How psychedelic-assisted therapy supports positive therapeutic outcomes in some patients who have not responded to traditional therapies
-
What are the risks and potential drawbacks of psychedelic-assisted therapy
-
Sunday 20 October at 9am BST/7pm AEDT
In module 3 we dive into what it takes to deliver psychedelic-assisted therapies safely and effectively. Learning to deliver these treatments safely takes in-depth training, but whether you’re a healthcare professional seeking to enter the field or a member of the public seeking to understand this new treatment approach, this overview will help you to understand the principles of safe practice. You’ll learn:
-
Building strong therapeutic relationships & creating safety
-
Clear communication and obtaining informed consent
-
Appropriate use of therapeutic touch
-
Supporting clients with Empathic/Compassionate/Loving Presence
-
Supporting rather than leading clients in their therapeutic process
-
The importance of integration and an introduction to tools used to integrate psychedelic experiences
-
The foundations of ethical practice in psychedelic-assisted therapy
-
The vital importance for practitioners to actively engage in their own introspective work
-
Self-awareness & self-care
-
Sunday 27 October 9am GMT/8pm AEDT
In module 4 we look deeper into what is happening in the psychedelic experience. In a dynamic panel discussion you’ll hear from practitioners with experience in research, clinical settings, retreats & the Colombian rainforest as they discuss their perspectives on working with psychedelics and how they support healing. You’ll learn:
In this week, you will learn:
-
How psychedelic-assisted therapies support healing by integrating aspects of the self including mind, body, heart and spirit
-
How the integration of the individual into their community and environment is an important part of psychedelic-assisted therapy
-
About the Indigenous use of psychedelic medicines that has existed for thousands of years
-
About the importance of being respectful of Indigenous traditions and cultures as we integrate psychedelic medicines into the Western healthcare system
-
Sunday 3 November at 9am GMT/8pm AEDT
In this week, In module 5 we look at ketamine. When first used for depression, its psychedelic effects were considered an unwanted side effect. There is now an increasing evidence base supporting its use with psychotherapeutic support, in the same way as classic psychedelics and MDMA. You’ll learn:
-
About the history of ketamine’s use for mental health
-
The difference between medical ketamine interventions that consider ketamine’s psychedelic effects to be an unwanted side effect and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy
-
The data supporting the use of ketamine-assisted psychotherapy
-
About ways of delivering ketamine-assisted therapy
-
How ketamine-assisted therapy compared to other psychedelic medicines
-
Sunday 10 November at 9am GMT/8pm AEDT
In our final module we’ll look at the current legal landscape in Australia, the UK and around the world. Looking at recent developments and comparing the state of play in different jurisdictions we’ll look forward at where things may be headed over the next few years. You’ll learn:
-
About the current accessibility to psychedelic medicines in Australia and Europe
-
How therapists and other medical professionals can prepare for their introduction
-
What training is available to help you become a qualified therapist in this field
-
How the private sector's involvement will influence the trajectory
-
How you can support the regulation and effective therapeutic administration of these substances
-
Mind Medicine Australia
Mind Medicine Australia is Australia’s leading not-for-profit organisation working on the use of medicinal psilocybin and MDMA-assisted therapies to treat a range of mental illnesses. Mind Medicine Australia exists to help alleviate the suffering and suicides caused by our accelerating mental illness epidemic in Australia, through expanding the treatment options available to medical practitioners and their patients.
MMA works towards this goal by focusing on four strategic pillars:
-
Awareness and knowledge building through education, events and webinars.
-
Professional development, including the world-leading Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies (CPAT)™ along with other workshops and courses.
-
Supporting university research, education, funding, and development of clinical trials.
-
Supporting patient access, affordable medicine supplies and the development of clinics.
You'll learn about:
-
The historical use of naturally occurring psychedelics, how psychedelic compounds were first synthesised and why they were banned
-
The science behind how psychedelics affect the brain, and leading theories for how they support therapeutic outcomes
-
An overview of the literature investigating the use of psychedelics for depression, PTSD and other mental illnesses
-
Psychedelic-assisted therapy protocols – what do they look like and how do they differ for different medicines
-
How these substances are used to assist psychotherapy in a practical context
-
What are the potential drawbacks and risks of psychedelic-assisted therapy?
-
What are the main considerations for safe and effective psychedelic-assisted therapy?
-
An introduction to a paradigm for mental health that considers the full spectrum of human experience
-
The deep wisdom held by indigenous traditions, and the importance of holding respect for these traditions
-
The history of ketamine’s use as an antidepressant and its use as a psychedelic medicine
-
The legal environment in Europe and Australia, including current options for access and where things are headed
Why join our training?
Are you intrigued by the potential of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy but don’t know where to start? Our new online course, 'Fundamentals of Psychedelic Assisted Therapies,' is designed just for you.
Tailored tofor those new to the field with little to no prior knowledge, this comprehensive program provides an essential overview of working within the evolving 'psychedelic space.' Whether you're interested in research, harm reduction, festival services, integration this course equips you with the foundational skills needed to thrive. As the UK prepares for a burgeoning psychedelic industry, participants in this course will be perfectly positioned to seize emerging opportunities and become pioneers in the psychedelic jobs market. Join us and be at the forefront of this exciting new field!
Why did we create it?
As access to psychedelic medicine is opening up around the world, healthcare professionals and the general public are seeking reliable information about how psychedelic-assisted therapy works and what the potential benefits and drawbacks are.
The Fundamentals of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy is a collaboration between two leading international charities in the psychedelic space: Mind Medicine Australia and Drug Science.
This course provides a solid foundation for anyone interested in psychedelic-assisted therapy. Healthcare professionals who are receiving questions from clients, those considering working in the psychedelic field and members of the general public will all find great value in this training.
Who is it for?
-
General Practitioners
-
Psychiatrists
-
Physicians
-
Addiction, Emergency, Cancer, Palliative Care and Other Specialists
-
Psychologists
-
Psychotherapists
-
Counsellors
-
Nurses
-
Paramedics
-
Coaches
-
Social Workers
-
Occupational Therapists
-
Art Therapists and other Healers
-
Students in the fields of mental health
-
Health System Regulators
-
Mental Health Patients and their Families interested in learning more about these therapies
-
Other parties with an interest in developing a better mental health system
Frequently Asked Questions
This program is designed as a shorter, more accessible training program to educate interested parties in psychedelic therapy, but is not a certification. Students of this course will have an advantage in the CPAT program as it provides complementary training with the CPAT Course Leaders.
We believe that the increasing mental health epidemic and the huge demand for these treatments, will lead to a paradigm shift towards a more holistic understanding of how to treat a variety of mental and physical illnesses and the inextricable link between mental and physical health. A program such as this is very relevant for anyone in the health fields, from paramedics to nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, general practitioners to regulators, consumers and executive coaches.
You will be assessed on the course content through multiple choice questionnaires.
If you are unable to attend the sessions live, you can submit questions in advance and recordings will be provided. You'll have lifetime access to the recordings.
MMA is in partnership with world-renowned experts and leading thinkers in the mental health field to develop and offer trainings at the forefront of clinical practice. We offer trainings locally and internationally to clinicians who are dedicated to exploring new frontiers in best practice.
Among its offerings, MMA has developed the first systematic clinical training for mental health professionals in psychedelic-assisted therapy in the Asia Pacific. The MMA Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (CPAT) has been described as the best clinical training in the world on ABC Radio National by Professor David Nutt of
Imperial College London.
We are deeply familiar with the Australian regulatory environment and health system, so are able to provide training in this area that is far more relevant for Australians.
The calibre of our instructors is truly world-class, as we have selected the most respected and experienced practitioners in the field to teach this course.
Currently, in the UK, the legal status of psychedelic-assisted therapy varies depending on the substance used. Ketamine is legally available and can be used in clinical settings for therapeutic purposes. However, other psychedelics, such as psilocybin and MDMA, are not yet legally approved for therapeutic use. Research and advocacy are ongoing, and changes in legislation may occur as the potential benefits of these treatments become more widely recognised.
In 2023 Australia became the first country in the world to reschedule MDMA and psilocybin, and so in this course you’ll have the opportunity to learn about what’s happening in one of the few jurisdictions where these substances are being used in clinical settings. This provides a unique opportunity to learn about what things may look like in the UK over the coming years.
Absolutely sensational thank you so much. Brilliant to get a glimpse into integration. Amazing!
Dan Mat, Disability Support Worker, WA
I've learnt so much from the first 3 weeks of this course, and I really appreciate the recordings to be able to take the time to re-listen to the Q&A.
Sara Chin
Thank you for a very interesting course, well organised and facilitated.
Danielle Flink, Social Worker, VIC
The Faculty
Prof David Nutt (UK)
Modules 1, 5, and 6
Dr Lauren Macdonald (UK)
Modules 2, 3, and 4
Dr Eli Kotler (AUS)
Modules 2 and 3
Taita Juan Bautista (COL)
Module 4
Erika Salazar (COL)
Module 4
Dr Julia King Olivier (Switzerland)
Module 4
Bianca King (Switzerland)
Module 4
Peter Hunt AM (AUS)
Modules 5 and 6
CPD and Accreditation
Students will receive a Certificate of Completion once they have completed all course content and assessment. You can claim 15 CPD hours with the college/association you're registered with.
Drug Science
Drug Science is the only completely independent, science-led drugs charity in the UK, uniquely bringing together leading drug experts from a wide range of specialisms to carry out ground-breaking research into drug harms and effects.
Drug Science works to provide an evidence base free from political or commercial influence, creating the foundation for sensible and effective drug laws, and equipping the public, media and policymakers with the knowledge and resources to enact positive change.
The Drug Science Medical Psychedelics Working Group, led by global experts in the field of psychedelic medicines, aims to create a rational and enlightened approach to psychedelic research and clinical treatment. The future of psychedelic medicine is extremely promising, and there is potential for the widespread application of psychedelic drugs within public health models. Drug Science works collaboratively and proactively with interdisciplinary partners to ensure that psychedelic medicines are developed for UK, EU and worldwide healthcare models. Our aim is to ensure that medical psychedelics can be used safely in an ethical and economically sustainable manner and demonstrate a potential for lasting therapeutic benefit.
