Oregon’s Emerging Psilocybin Services Workforce: A Survey of the First Legal Psilocybin Facilitators and Their Training Programs
Jason B Luoma, Kim Hoffman, Adrianne R Wilson-Poe, Ximena A Levander, Alissa Bazinet, Ryan R Cook, Dennis McCarty, Kellie Pertl, Sarann Bielavitz, Devin Gregoire, R Cameron Wolf, Don C Des Jarlais, Harland V Harrison, Christopher S Stauffer, P Todd Korthuis
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs January 29, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2025.2454474 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractOregon's early psilocybin facilitator workforce is relatively diverse, with many holding existing healthcare licenses. Among 16 active training programs, mean tuition was $9,359 and half offered diversity scholarships. Survey respondents (n=106) reported that training expenses were a moderate-to-severe financial strain, though most were satisfied with their training. The mean planned price for a session was $1,388, and common specializations included trauma, mental disorders, consciousness exploration, and spirituality. Facilitators requested ongoing training opportunities. These findings are crucial for informing future policy and training program development to support a diverse and effective workforce.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey and program review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 106 |
| Population | Psilocybin facilitators who had completed or were enrolled in Oregon Health Authority-approved training programs |
| Duration | July to November 2023 |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Healthcare-certification Psilocybin-facilitators Mental-health-workforce Oregon-regulations Licensure |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key finding | Oregon's emerging psilocybin facilitator workforce is relatively diverse, with many holding existing healthcare licenses, but training expenses pose a moderate-to-severe financial strain for most. |
Abstract
New legal frameworks for supervised psychedelic services are emerging, with Oregon and Colorado implementing programs to train and license psilocybin facilitators. This study describes Oregon's early psilocybin facilitator workforce and assesses state-approved training programs. The Open Psychedelic Evaluation Nexus (OPEN) reviewed Oregon Health Authority-approved training programs and surveyed facilitators who had completed or were enrolled in these programs between July and November 2023. Data collection included a review of public listings, contact with training programs, and facilitator survey. Results indicated that in the 16 active training programs, the mean tuition was $9,359 and half offered diversity scholarships. Survey respondents (n = 106) were relatively diverse; many had an existing healthcare license. The majority reported that training expenses were a moderate-to-severe financial strain. Most were satisfied with training. The mean planned price for a session was $1,388 and the most common areas of specialization were trauma, mental disorders, consciousness exploration, and spirituality. Facilitators requested ongoing training opportunities. In conclusion, Oregon's emerging psilocybin facilitator workforce and training programs are in early development. These findings are crucial for informing future policy and training program development to support a diverse and effective workforce.