Beyond The Hype
Navigating the world of psychedelic education is a challenging endeavor, particularly when much of the space currently operates underground. While personal stories and testimonials can be incredibly compelling, it's important to remember that one teacher's success with an individual doesn't guarantee the same experience for everyone.
As with most education, our search for trustworthy resources often relies upon perceived authorities: articles written, companies sponsoring or aligning with individuals/training programs, reputation, and even other educational credentials. But how can we discern whether someone is truly qualified or if they may be stretching the truth, their abilities, and their emergency preparedness if guiding sessions is part of their training? These questions become even more pressing as companies begin turning out psychedelic guide graduates.
Jules Evans, an investigative journalist and the Director of Challenging Psychedelic Experiences Project, recently explored the legitimacy of Jonathan Robinson's MDMA couples training program provided through the Shift Network, asking an important question: Is this work pioneering or reckless? Following Evans' published piece, the Shift Network conducted their own 30+ hour investigation into Mr. Robinson along with his scientific and educational claims, ultimately deciding to cancel his training program. However, I had to dig to find this cancellation notice, and interestingly, the information about this training remains live on their site at the time of this posting (7/1/24).
What qualifies someone to serve medicine and teach you to serve it? This is a significant conversation in the psychedelic space these days. Is it a decade of sitting with the medicine and the elders who carry Indigenous traditions? What if there is no Indigenous tradition? Is it having a medical or therapy degree? Is it holding a current license, which stands in stark contrast with serving, as most medicines are illegal in the U.S.?
If you are interested in taking a psychedelic guide training, how do you vet the teachers and the curriculum? What makes you feel comfortable working with someone in this field? Does their formal education matter to you? How about their hands-on experience?
Here are some questions I’d consider when vetting a potential teacher/program:
What is the background and experience of those teaching? Look into their educational history, both formal and informal, as well as any relevant certifications or training, and their own personal work with the medicine.
What do others say about them? Seek out reviews, testimonials, and personal stories from other participants.
What organizations or networks are they affiliated with? Check if these affiliations add to their credibility, and don’t be afraid to reach out to these organization to confirm the affiliation.
Have they published any work? Articles, books, and studies can provide insight into their expertise.
Do they have any known controversies or investigations? Be aware of any negative reports or issues that have been raised.
How transparent are they about their practices and their pricing? A trustworthy teacher should be open and willing to answer questions about their methods, background, and if additional classes would be required.
What will I be prepared to do when the training is over? Many programs are educational and informational but not practical, meaning you do not practice, apprentice, or have mentorship around serving the medicine you are learning about. If the program is not practical, do they associate with or refer you to people who can mentor you?
How does time with this teacher or training make you feel? Is time with them rushed? Is it about selling you on their product or making grand statements about graduating with a full client list? What are their core values? You can tell a lot about how you feel about someone the more time you spend around them.
As these programs grow, change names, and change staff, it’s important to be able to vet what you are signing up for and whom you are agreeing to learn from and work under. My mission within the psychedelic ecosystem is advocating for harm reduction. To me, having access to all the information you can gather is another form of informed consent. It's also a big reason I created Reveal, a global women’s community, so that deep trusted relationships are built together in community.
I invite you to share your thoughts and experiences. How do you ensure the credibility of your teachers in the psychedelic space? What factors make you feel secure and confident in their guidance? 🍄💖
