HAF Releases Client Education Guide: Empowering Prospective Clients for Improved Safety
Dear supporter,
Early on in Oregon’s psilocybin services program, we knew that we would need to ensure the program had a strong regulatory backbone guaranteeing a level of safety and support for clients as they undergo transformational and sometimes challenging experiences. We also knew that clients themselves would need to wade through a significant amount of information to make an informed decision about whether accessing psilocybin was right for them.
I’m proud to share that our team spent months developing an informational Client Education Guide to support prospective clients seeking psilocybin services in Oregon.
The phrase “psilocybin is not for everyone” is one that we regularly lean on to help illuminate the nuance that just because state-regulated access is available in Oregon, it does not mean all are suited to benefit from the effects of psilocybin. While certain individuals who experience acute anxiety and depression, addiction, or those experiencing the emotional impacts of the end of life may benefit greatly from a psychedelic experience, folks with other conditions, experiences, or backgrounds just might not be suited for this modality.
In order to maintain long-term safe, affordable access to psilocybin therapy in Oregon, we need an informed public, where individuals can make decisions based on what research is available, their own health backgrounds, and weigh out potential risks. That’s why this Client Education Guide is so important. We take our responsibility seriously as stewards of this historic first-of-it’s-kind program, so in partnership with our Safety Committee, we’ve developed a comprehensive client education guide to ensure clients are well-informed in both the potential benefits and risks of psilocybin therapy.
Read on for more information about our client education guide, and for important updates from Oregon, Colorado, and our National efforts to expand safe and affordable access to psilocybin therapy.
UPDATES
Up to Date Numbers on Oregon Psilocybin Services Program Licensing
The following information has been compiled through the OHA’s Psilocybin Services website.
These numbers are updated on a weekly basis and are subject to change. Last updated 1/30/24.
HAF Releases Client Education Guide, Supporting Safe Access to Psilocybin Therapy in Oregon
At this point in 2024, we estimate that over 1,000 clients have been served, and we know that many prospective clients seeking psilocybin services are “psychedelic naive” – meaning they’ve never used psychedelics before. Similar to other health and wellness services, in order for clients to have positive experiences, and to limit the number of adverse events, clients need to be well-informed. In addition to service centers and facilitators maintaining accountability and regularly improving their safety practices, ensuring prospective clients understand whether psilocybin therapy is right for them, how they can advocate for their needs and rights if they choose to seek services, understanding risks, and how to find the right match in a licensed service center and facilitator are important components for a successful psilocybin therapy session.
The State of Oregon and the psilocybin community have worked hard to create a program focused on safety and access since Measure 109 passed. Our Client Guide is the next step, designed to provide prospective clients with the information they need to make empowered, informed decisions and improve their experience within the program.
*The Healing Advocacy Fund’s Safety Committee is made up of subject matter experts from a range of backgrounds seeking to ensure statewide safety standards are met and exceeded, and to develop an exemplary program in Oregon that is a model for other states to follow.
Interested in learning more about the client experience? Check out this video of Bill, a retired army captain seeking deeper connection with his loved ones after a childhood that left him feeling disconnected from his emotions. Bill also seeks first-hand experience as he earns his Master’s Degree to become a counselor for other veterans, which are a particular group who have been shown to benefit from psilocybin therapy.
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Meet Ana Holub, with Omnia Group Ashland
“Omnia Group Ashland, a psilocybin service center in Southern Oregon, is continuing to define and develop best practices in the interest of client safety. One of the ways we are doing this is through our Director of Facilitation, Ana Holub. Ana serves as point person for facilitator operations, assists with establishing protocols and practices, and participates in business development.
Ana serves as point person for facilitator questions and helps to maintain a high level of client support. She maintains a current list of outside referrals for clients to access, is available for facilitator questions, and facilitates the bi-monthly meetings.
During these meetings we discuss service center related information, allow for peer-to-peer support, and work to improve our collective practices through inquiry and discussion of the most up to date industry information and standards. All of these activities help us to maintain a high standard of practice and ensure client safety and support.”
> Learn about Omnia Group
EVENTS
Webinar Series: Natural Psychedelic Medicines for Mental Health
In partnership with Mental Health Colorado, Natural Psychedelic Medicines for Mental Health is a 4-part webinar series that will focus on psilocybin therapy, upcoming regulation, and how to discuss natural medicines with your patients.
Thank you to the 400+ participants who attended the first installment of our webinar series! Missed the first one? Don’t worry, there’s still time to sign up for our remaining three sessions.
Session 2: Stories of Healing
February 15 at 4 pm MT
Hear firsthand accounts from individuals who have worked with psychedelics to address mental and/or behavioral health challenges. This session will dive deeper into the research and the application of psychedelics for specific conditions, including anxiety, chronic pain, and substance use disorder.
> Register for the Feb. 15 session
Session 3: Training to Facilitate Psychedelic Therapies
February 28 at 12 pm MT
> Register for the Feb. 28 session
Session 4: It Takes a Village: Integrative Approaches to Maximize the Benefits of Psychedelic Therapies
March 14 at 12 pm MT
> Register for the March 14 Session
Webinar Series and Conference: University of Colorado Anschutz, "Bridging the Worlds"
Psychedelic therapy has been practiced by disparate communities in remote and modern history including indigenous communities, ethno-spiritual groups, medical academics, mental health practitioners, and other healthcare professionals. Following recent legislative efforts in Colorado, CU Anshutz aims to collect expertise from across the global spectrum to create confluence from all tributaries and run together towards a better future for all through a webinar series and conference this spring. After the webinar series, join HAF State Director Tasia Poinsatte in Colorado this April for the Bridging the World: The Confluence of Indigenous Wisdom and Psychedelic Science.
Webinar 1: Spiritual and Psychedelic Experiences: Finding a Theory to Bridge the Worlds, Presented by Edward MacPhee, MD
February 13 at 12 pm MT
> Link for Feb 13 Webinar
Webinar 2: Ceremony is Medicine, Presented by Kylie House, MD & Wesley Black Elk, Lakota Public Speaker
March 13 at 12 pm MT
> Link for March 13 Webinar
Coloring within the Lines: Legal and Regulatory Considerations with Jon Treem, MD & Natasia Poinsatte, MA
April 18 at 1:10 pm MT
A discussion of the key elements of Colorado state policy as it pertains to the practice of psychedelic therapy, and updates on national and non-Colorado state efforts at psychedelic policy reform.
> Register for Conference
Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Information Session: Naropa Center for Psychedelic Studies
On January 31st at 5pm MT, Victor A. Cabral, LSW and Syre Saniyah, Ph.D from Naropa Center for Psychedelic Studies will be hosting an info session about our Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Certificate program, with a focus on the JEDI (justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion) initiatives that guide our offerings. These include scholarships for historically excluded and underrepresented groups, affinity offerings such as BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ ketamine apprenticeships, ongoing affinity cohort spaces, and a commitment to representation of diverse perspectives in our faculty and instructors.
> Register here
IN THE NEWS
In Oregon, Some See the Benefits of Psychedelic Treatment for Mental Health Conditions
National Public Radio
Oregon is rolling out psychedelics. The state approved a broad decriminalization plan in 2020, and licensed treatment centers started to offer psilocybin this past summer. Anyone can make an appointment, including those who just want to do it recreationally. But the measure setting up the legal framework said part of the purpose was mental health and well-being. From Portland, Ore., Deena Prichep checks in on how the program pursues that goal. Please note, her report contains detailed descriptions of domestic violence.
> Listen to the story
Newly Decriminalized Psychedelic Shows Significant Promise with PTSD
Westword
Ibogaine, a natural psychedelic now decriminalized in Colorado, shows considerable potential in treating traumatic brain injuries among military veterans, according to recently published research from Stanford University.
> Read the article
Psilocybin Therapy Expands in Bend with new Facility Drop Thesis
Bend Bulletin
Drop Thesis will become Bend’s third licensed psilocybin center and will focus on wellness and consciousness expansion. Each patient’s session will take 12 to 15 hours with a licensed facilitator in a structured environment designed to create a safe psychedelic experience, said Drop Thesis co-founder Ryan Reid. The facility, at 505 NW Franklin Ave., is one of three in Bend, and will open sometime in February, but there is already a wait list. There are 21 licensed psilocybin service centers statewide approved by the Oregon Health Authority. Eventually, the company will add a manufacturing location to become vertically integrated.
> Read the article