Safety at the Forefront of Psychedelic Access
What’s Inside:
Nitai Aleks, a facilitator in Oregon, approaches her work from a trauma-informed background.
HAF Oregon has been touring service centers with legislators and state regulators, and developed recommendations for rule and law changes to the Oregon psilocybin services program.
HAF Colorado helped decrease the cost of licensing fees, and has been working to educate behavioral health providers on psilocybin therapy.
On November 8th, join HAF at the Colorado Psychological Association’s “Psychedelics in Practice” symposium in Denver.
Use the “Magic Mushroom Interaction Checker” to receive reports about how psilocybin mushrooms interact with medications and health conditions.
In the news: Listen to a new episode of the “Altered States” podcast; read about Elizabeth Warren’s endorsement of the Massachusetts ballot measure; and get a full download on Question 4 (Massachusetts’ ballot measure to allow psilocybin therapy).
As we endeavor to build the nation’s first state-regulated psilocybin therapy programs, we ensure that safety runs through every piece of our work.
Whether it’s helping clients more deeply understand the benefits and process of psilocybin therapy (see our Oregon Client Education Guide); our multi-year commitment to creating effective outcome measurement programs in both Oregon and Colorado; or our advocacy to allow mental health and health care professionals to bring their full skills and experience to bear in facilitating psilocybin care—client safety is one of our most important goals.
The fact is, state-regulated programs are now the country’s primary path to bringing the healing and wellness of psilocybin therapy to people who need it. We are determined to make these programs work and work well.
Thank you for all you do to support healing,
Taylor West
Executive Director
COMMUNITY SPOTLIGHT
Featuring: Oregon Psilocybin Facilitator Nitai Aleksiewicz, MA, PAT
From Nitai:
“We are all walking each other home. Committed to the heart-centered belief that every person has within themselves the compassionate wisdom needed to heal, Nitai designs personalized psilocybin retreat programs from her foundational values of compassionate awareness and client-centered collaboration. Her purpose is to discover how her clients uniquely operate so she can help them attune to self-trust and discover their own medicine.
Nitai is a trauma-informed psilocybin facilitator who has worked with over a hundred clients facilitating group and individual journeys. Her experience crisis counseling at a Rape Crisis Center, group facilitating at an Outpatient Drug Rehab, and 3 years developing and facilitating psychedelic retreats, allow her to compassionately witness and hold grounded space for grief and trauma release.
She strongly believes community is a global cure and incorporates both clients' existing local support systems and the healing ‘village’ in Eugene to build out each program. Her intake system explores and expands the ways her clients heal physically, emotionally, and spiritually to co-create a 3 month (minimum) experience-based program centered around a 5 day one-on-one psilocybin retreat that is an immersive deep dive into seeing, hearing, and healing those parts of Self that have been silenced and shamed.
This ‘long-runway’ model includes extensive preparation and integration support intended to hold clients with higher-levels of trauma in the psychedelic space with the highest standards of safe, ethical care. Her programs include modalities such as somatic practices, breathwork, sound healing, yoga, parts work, channeled personalized meditations, and Shadow work.”
For more information about how to work with Nitai:
Founder and Lead Facilitator: Sacred Life Retreats
Level 2 Facilitator: Mandala Journey Work
Lead Facilitator: Confluence Retreats
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UPDATES
Oregon: Up to Date Numbers on Psilocybin Services Program Licensing
These numbers are updated periodically by OHA and are subject to change. Last updated August 19, 2024.
Oregon Gears Up for Legislative Session with Psilocybin Service Center Tours
Over the last few months, the HAF Oregon team has hosted service center tours with legislators and agency representatives. Notably, Representative Travis Nelson visited Cora Center, a psilocybin therapy service center in Portland. Rebecca Martinez, Cora Center Co-Founder and President, was able to show Representative Nelson the facility and to share about Cora Center’s mission to provide a space for safe, ethical, and meaningful psilocybin experiences that are culturally-attuned and community-oriented.
The Oregon team has also hosted tours in Southern Oregon with Senator Jeff Nelson and Representative Pam Marsh at the Omnia Group service center; with Representative Rob Nosse at Project Circle and Representative Lisa Reynolds at Chariot Space in Portland; and with the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs Director Dr. Nakeia Daniels and Representative Dacia Grayber at the Oregon Psychedelic Solutions service center in Beaverton.
Proposed Changes to Oregon's Program
Since Oregon’s Psilocybin Therapy program launched in May 2023, the need to make important changes to rules has risen to the surface, all in service of providing a safer, more accessible program. Through Oregon’s rulemaking and legislative processes, and with the endorsement of Oregon’s psilocybin therapy service providers, HAF Oregon is advocating for improvements to the program to ensure the highest standard of safety and access possible.
Rulemaking Updates
Every year, the Oregon Health Authority opens the program rules for review and changes. This year, several changes have risen to the level of need for improvement, in order to address safety concerns for clients, create an integrated system with mental health services, and to ensure that Oregon’s program operates within the context of other states creating psilocybin access, including Colorado, whose psilocybin therapy program will begin in January. Additionally, there is a fine line when it comes to creating new regulations for a brand new industry, and we believe that new standards should be checked against long term feasibility and sustainability for service providers. We echo concerns voiced by service providers regarding the impact of rules with higher administrative burdens that have no impact or improvements to safety.
Notable proposed rulemaking changes include:
Expanding the definition of adverse events, allowing a client to report an adverse event related to their psilocybin experience for up to 72 hours after administration. HAF advocated to increase this reporting window and supports this change, to ensure that clients who experience adverse events will be better supported, and to capture critical information for future safety improvements.
Allowing training programs approved by other states to conduct practicums in Oregon. HAF recognizes that Oregon is leading the way in state-regulated psilocybin services, and there is an opportunity to contribute to the standards of psilocybin care across the country.
Allowing licensed psilocybin facilitators to use their professional skills outside of the regulatory system for harm reduction. HAF recommends allowing facilitators to implement harm reduction services outside of the service center setting, when appropriate, for community safety and well-being.
For more information on current proposed rules, visit the OPS website.
Psilocybin Program Improvement Bill
After a year-long process engaging community members to develop recommendations, the Psilocybin Program Improvement bill, which has been submitted by the Healing Advocacy Fund for Oregon’s next legislative session, includes legal protections for healthcare providers who discuss psilocybin therapy with patients; dual licensure to create a pathway for healthcare professions to more fully participate in the program; improved client confidentiality, dosing and potency, and more. This bill addresses changes that could not be addressed in rule, but are important for safety and long term success of the Oregon psilocybin services program.
Changes proposed include:
Creates legal protections for licensed healthcare providers to participate in the Psilocybin Services Program. This change includes protecting licensed healthcare providers' ability to discuss psilocybin services with patients without fearing disciplinary action from licensing boards, and allowing healthcare professionals who are also licensed psilocybin facilitators to utilize their healthcare expertise in preparation and integration of psilocybin services. Administration will remain non-directive as defined by the OHA.
Establishes new membership requirements for the Psilocybin Advisory Board to include seats for psilocybin service providers.
Requires the OHA investigation process to maintain confidentiality to protect a client’s identity or other sensitive information, which aligns with healthcare licensing board best practices, and promotes a safer environment for reporting violations.
Requires that psilocin be labeled on all psilocybin products, and requires facilitators to notify clients of potential increased potency of the product before their administration session to promote transparency for clients.
For more information on the Psilocybin Program Improvement Bill, watch the HAF overview.
Colorado Agencies Reduce Proposed Licensing Fees and Seek Feedback on Changes to Training Requirements
The big news out of Colorado this past month has been sticker shock at a set of proposed licensing fees for natural medicine businesses. HAF conducted significant outreach to encourage stakeholders to channel their shock into action, in particular asking for a reduction in fees for micro healing centers. The Department of Revenue (DOR) responded last week with updated draft fees that represent a significant reduction from their earlier draft. These proposed fees may still be subject to change and will be finalized within the next few weeks. (Note that these are separate from facilitator licensing fees, which will be set by the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) and have not yet been posted).
DORA is meanwhile soliciting feedback on proposed changes to the practicum and consultation requirements for Colorado facilitator training. HAF has submitted public comments requesting several important adjustments, including an allowance for those with clinical research experience across a range of psychedelic substances to provide consultation to facilitators-in-training. This will be important to avoid a major bottleneck in availability of consultants at program launch – and to ensure that several of Colorado’s most experienced and highly trained psychedelic therapists can serve as consultants.
HAF Continues Provider Education Efforts with Presentation at Colorado Behavioral Health Conference
Last month, HAF presented at the 2024 Behavioral Health Training Conference in Breckenridge, CO. Each year, hundreds of behavioral health specialists, members of the state and criminal justice system, physical health providers, and university students attend CBHC’s annual conference. The conference focuses on best clinical and business practices in behavioral health. HAF’s presentation, Pathways to Healing: Opportunities for Providers and Patients in Colorado’s State-Regulated Psychedelic Therapies Program, covered the latest research, recommendations for psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, an overview of Colorado’s regulated model, and more. HAF was joined in this presentation by Kristin Kilbourn, PhD, MPH, co-investigator and lead clinical supervisor of a UCHealth/NYU clinical trial examining the efficacy of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for those living with advanced cancer.
Presentations at conferences like CBHC support HAF’s goal to educate providers across the state about psilocybin therapy as we move closer to program launch.
EVENTS
Psychedelics in Practice: A Critical Examination of Research, Ethics, and Applications for Psychologists
On November 8, join us in Denver for an enlightening day-long symposium on psychedelic assisted therapy. Dive deep into the latest research, discover best practices, and engage in thought-provoking discussions on the ethical and legal frameworks shaping this innovative field. Don’t miss an 11 am panel on Colorado’s regulatory framework, which will feature HAF Colorado Director Tasia Poinsatte, HAF senior advisor Josh Kappel, and DORA’s natural medicine program director Lorey Bratten. Whether you're a seasoned professional or new to this area of mental health treatment, this event offers a unique opportunity to expand your knowledge and connect with experts and peers alike.
Hosted by the Colorado Psychological Association (CPA) and offering up to 7 hours of continuing education (CE) credits.
> Register
RESOURCES
Magic Mushroom Interaction Checker
Make informed decisions regarding psilocybin use with this new harm reduction web tool designed to provide personal users and professionals with instant, evidence-based reports on the interactions between psilocybin mushrooms and various medications and health conditions for a small fee. Developed by Dr. Kristin Speer, a board certified pharmacist in Colorado, the Magic Mushroom Interaction Checker offers nearly 600 search options, including both generic and brand-name medications, and non-prescription products and substances. Key features include:
Rigorous Evidence Review: No AI is used for content creation, and all content is peer-reviewed and regularly updated based on the latest evidence, ensuring accurate and reliable information.
Privacy Assurance: The site is HIPAA-compliant and uses military-grade encryption to safeguard user data and confidentiality.
Risk Reduction Methods: Suggestions for how to reduce or avoid interaction risks are included in the detailed report option.
> Access the Magic Mushroom Interaction Checker
IN THE NEWS
Psychedelics on the Ballot
Altered States Podcast
At first the effort in Oregon to legalize psilocybin seemed doomed. Then the organizers started talking to the architect behind the carefully coordinated, state-by-state campaign to legalize cannabis, an attorney by the name of Graham Boyd. His initial thought was that what worked for cannabis would never work for psychedelics. But what he found in Oregon changed his mind. Producer Damiano Marchetti investigates.
> Listen to the Episode
Psychedelics: How Question 4 Could Legalize the Drugs for Therapeutic Use in Mass.
WBUR
Voters will soon decide whether to legalize plant-based psychedelic drugs in Massachusetts. Question 4 on the November ballot would approve the use of natural psychedelic substances, like psilocybin mushrooms, for people 21 and older at licensed therapy centers.
> Read the Article
Elizabeth Warren Backs Massachusetts Psychedelics Legislation Ballot Initiative, But Stresses Need for Effective Regulations
Marijuana Moment
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) says she will be supporting a Massachusetts ballot initiative to legalize certain psychedelics—though she stressed the reform must be enacted with a thoughtful regulatory framework in place.
> Read the Article