How to Choose a Psychedelic Therapist

With the rise of interest in psychedelic therapy and plant medicine, more and more practitioners are offering themselves as guides, facilitators, or even “shamans.” Not all who work in this space are qualified, experienced, or ethical. Choosing the right person to support your journey can make all the difference between a healing experience and a harmful one.

Here are some key things to look for when choosing a psychedelic therapist or guide:

Training and Qualifications

Formal education isn't everything, but looking for someone with some form of training in psychology, counselling, or another healing discipline will help you ensure your psychological health is well supported before, during and after your experience.  Ideally your guide will have specific training in psychedelic-assisted therapy, trauma work, or somatic integration. Often, psychedelic journeys can bring up challenging emotions, sensations, and sometimes traumatic memories.  You want someone who knows how to help you through this. 

Experience

Ask about their background. How many journeys have they facilitated? What kinds of medicines have they worked with, and for how long?  Many practitioners assume qualification through personal experience.  They believe that if their lives have been positively impacted that they are now able to lead others in kind.  One who does yoga is not a qualified yoga teacher.  A person who has had a positive outcome through therapy does not qualify as a therapist.  A person who has been a passenger on a rollercoaster is not qualified to operate one.  And a psychedelic experience does NOT qualify a person to guide others. 

Preparation and Integration

A reputable guide emphasizes preparation and integration as essential parts of the process.  Non-ordinary states of consciousness can be disorienting at times; knowing to expect this and having a pre-established plan for how you and your guide can navigate this space together safely is key.  Spending time setting a clear intention for your journey will allow you an anchor in the event you're feeling a bit lost or confused by your experience.  

The real transformation unfolds after the journey itself. Even though big epiphanies gain the most publicity, psychedelic journeys don't always result in life-altering changes wrapped up in a neat little package.  Most of the time the wisdom of a journey will continue to unfold more slowly and over days, months and even years. You'll want someone who can continue to assist you with integrating these important lessons into your day-to-day life as they surface.  If, as an individual, they are not involved in your integration process do they help you build a community or network of support you can rely on over time?  Personally I have worked with several people who have been emotionally, psychologically and spiritually harmed by not having the proper support before and after psychedelic therapy. This doesn't have to happen to you. 

Screening

Ethical facilitators carefully screen participants for mental health history, medications, and medical conditions to ensure safety and suitability.  Most medicines are perfectly safe as long as medical and psychological factors are carefully considered.  Does your facilitator have the medical knowledge necessary to make decisions about your medical health and wellness? If not, are they connected to a network of support who is qualified to answer these kinds of questions?  Do not assume that because someone is offering you medicine or because others have consumed it that it is safe for you.  Assume a high degree of personal responsibility for yourself and your well-being. 

Set and Setting

Notice the environment they create. Is it private, grounded, and supportive? The physical and energetic setting shapes the entire experience.

Safety and Trust

Trust your body’s wisdom. Do you feel safe, seen, and respected around this person? Do they appear to you to be grounded, open and humble or authoritative and overly guru-like in their presence? Your sense of safety is more important than any credential.  In fact, much research in this area suggests that you are much less likely to have a negative experience (aka a bad trip) in a safe spacial container with a trusted person. If you are entering ceremony with someone you have never met before ask yourself how you can ensure a sense of safety and trust within that environment.  

Dose and Medicine Type

A thoughtful guide tailors dosage to the individual and recognizes that different medicines work for different people. One size never fits all.  Not everyone has the emotional, spiritual, or physical capacity for a maximum dose of medicine.  Stacking medicines together for a specific supportive purpose can be a beautiful path to take. As safe as this work can be, it is neither necessary nor safe to combine multiple medicines in maximum or excessively large doses.  In fact mixing some medicines can be lethal so please ensure your guide has considered this and that you are informed of all risks before you partake. 

Number of Participants

 How many people will be entering into the ceremony or space with you?  Consider how many people it is reasonable to expect one person to be present for at a time.  If you need something, is anyone going to be available for you? If you are having a challenging time, will someone be able to offer support? Holding secret space is an important and big responsibility. Some guides are better at holding space than others; in other words some can safely manage larger groups while others cannot. If possible, get feedback from former participants around how well supported they felt in a group with the person you are considering working with. 

Shamanic Lineage and Cultural Respect

Many people today refer to themselves as shamans, but true shamans are generally not self-declared. In traditional cultures, a shaman is recognized by their community after years of apprenticeship, initiation, and testing. They carry a lineage of wisdom passed down through elders, songs, and ceremony; their authority comes from service, not self-promotion.

While modern psychedelic therapy draws inspiration from these traditions, it’s important to discern between cultural appreciation and appropriation. Authentic healers approach these medicines with humility and deep respect for their origins. If a facilitator claims to be a shaman without lineage or training, it’s worth pausing to ask what that title means to them — and whether it aligns with your own values.

Ethical Boundaries and Accountability

Reputable therapists maintain clear boundaries, explain their methods transparently, and sometimes remain accountable through supervision or professional associations.  Does the person you're considering working with 

have informed consent practices around touch, dual relationships and contact after the session?  Consider your context when choosing a guide; an Ayahuasca ceremony in the Amazon necessitates different standards than Ketamine Assisted Therapy in a medical clinic.  

As you can see, there are many factors to be considered when choosing a medicine guide. These points and questions will give you the opportunity to ensure your experience is a positive, helpful and safe one. Many blessings on your journey...

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