San Francisco, CA — [July 2026] — The Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines is pleased to announce its upcoming course Foundations of Plant Medicine Facilitation, Integration and Ethics, running August 24 – November 9, 2026. This hybrid online course brings together leading educators, clinicians, anthropologists, facilitators, and harm reduction practitioners to explore the ethical foundations of psychedelic facilitation while bridging traditional ceremonial knowledge with contemporary therapeutic practice.
Building Ethical Foundations for Psychedelic Facilitation
As psychedelic plant medicines continue to move into mainstream culture and clinical settings, the need for thoughtful, ethical, and culturally informed facilitation has never been greater. Foundations of Plant Medicine Facilitation, Integration and Ethics equips participants with practical tools to navigate the complexities of guiding psychedelic experiences with humility, accountability, and care.
Designed for anyone interested in psychedelic facilitation, from spiritual practitioners, guides, and ceremony holders to psychotherapists, clinicians, and integration specialists, the course examines the evolving responsibilities of facilitators working across ceremonial and therapeutic contexts.
Participants will engage with topics including trauma-informed psychedelic care, preparation and integration, harm reduction, ethics, the role of ritual, music, spirituality, community, intercultural competency, psychological principles for facilitators, and the relationship between psychedelic therapy and traditional ceremony.
In keeping with Chacruna’s mission to bridge diverse knowledge systems, the course encourages students to critically examine how Indigenous traditions, community-based healing practices, and contemporary psychedelic science can inform one another while emphasizing reciprocity, justice, and cultural respect.
Course Overview
Dates: August 24 – November 9, 2026
Format: Hybrid online course featuring one-hour pre-recorded lectures and weekly live Zoom discussions
Live Sessions: Mondays, 10:30am–12:00pm PT / 1:30pm–3:00pm ET
Tuition: $700 USD
CE Credits: 14 Continuing Education Credits available
Scholarships: Apply Here
Each class combines a one-hour recorded lecture with a live 90-minute discussion and Q&A session. Students complete assigned readings and lectures prior to joining faculty for interactive conversations designed to deepen understanding and encourage practical application.
Testimonials from Former Students
“After participating in the course, I have come to deeply appreciate the critical role that Chacruna can play in legitimizing and supporting emerging retreat organizers. As someone operating at the intersection of therapeutic and ceremonial practices, this course has offered invaluable insights. More importantly, it solidified my belief that Chacruna is uniquely positioned to co-create and uphold the gold standard for best practices in this growing field.”
Erin Peterson, Former Student
“The course was an enriching and deeply insightful experience. The instructors brought a wealth of knowledge, blending academic research with cultural wisdom in a way that felt both respectful and illuminating. I appreciated the thoughtful discussions on indigenous traditions, ethical engagement, and the role of sacred plants in healing and spirituality. This course provided me with a broader understanding of these practices and their significance, leaving me with valuable insights to integrate into my own path.”
Brendan Caldwell, Psychedelic Guide and Licensed Psychotherapist
Faculty
The course features an accomplished interdisciplinary faculty, including Lígia Duque Platero, PhD; Adam Aronovich; Licia Sky; Henrique Fernandes Antunes, PhD; Timothy Crespi, LPC; Simone Weit, LPCC; Clancy Cavnar, PsyD; Bruno Ramos Gomes, PhD; and Jordan Sloshower, MD, MSc.
Together, these educators bring decades of experience spanning anthropology, psychology, trauma therapy, Indigenous studies, harm reduction, psychedelic-assisted therapy, community care, ethics, and ceremonial practice. Through their combined expertise, students will gain a nuanced understanding of facilitation that prioritizes safety, relational accountability, cultural humility, and ethical stewardship.
About the Chacruna Institute
The Chacruna Institute for Psychedelic Plant Medicines, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization co-founded by Brazilian anthropologist Dr. Bia Labate and American psychologist Dr. Clancy Cavnar, based in Northern California and with strong ties to Brazil and Mexico. We promote reciprocity in the psychedelic community, and support the protection of sacred plants and cultural traditions. We advance psychedelic justice through curating critical conversations and uplifting the voices of women, queer people, Indigenous peoples, people of color, and the Global South in the field of psychedelic science.
Media Contact:
Lorien Chavez
Chacruna Institute
[email protected]
415-390-6157
