COURSES
Navigating Psychedelics: Australia
9-Week Certificate Program in Psychedelic-Informed Practice
OVERVIEW
What is Navigating Psychedelics: Australia?
Navigating Psychedelics: Australia is a comprehensive online course designed for clinicians, wellness practitioners, and those curious about the therapeutic potential of psychedelic substances. This program offers in-depth knowledge of the history, therapeutic applications, and safe use of psychedelics within the Australian context.
As of July 2023, Australia legalized the prescription of MDMA and psilocybin for specific mental health conditions, allowing TGA-approved psychiatrists to administer these substances to patients with approved conditions who have not responded to conventional treatments. While this marks significant progress in mental health treatments, it's crucial to acknowledge that psychedelic therapy research is still in its early stages, and ongoing studies are necessary to fully understand its safety and effectiveness.
Led by renowned experts in the field of psychedelic research and therapy, including Renee Harvey M.A. Clin.Psych., Diego Pinzon M.A., Martin Williams Ph.D., Stephen Bright Ph.D., and Petra Skeffington Ph.D., this course provides access to Psychedelics Today's original library and Australia-specific content. Students will gain valuable knowledge about getting started and becoming more involved in this rapidly evolving field.
*Completing this course fulfills part A (eLearning) of the Psychedelic Institute Australia's course: Essential Skills for Psychedelic Assisted Therapy, serving as a stepping stone for advanced clinical skills training.
Course Outline:
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The course begins with group introductions and intention setting, followed by exploring each other's interests and an overview of psychedelics, covering their history from shamanic practices to contemporary clinical research.
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This week reviews the evolution of psychedelic research from the 1950s and 1960s to now, discussing current advancements and laying the groundwork for potential future research.
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This week's focus on harm reduction provides essential guidance for safe and informed psychedelic therapy sessions, including preparation, risk assessment, and mitigation strategies.
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This week explores the complex nature of psychedelic experiences and different theories that interpret these altered states of consciousness.
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Week five explores the structure and methodologies of psychedelic therapy, highlighting its unique approach.
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This week's focus on integration discusses methods for incorporating psychedelic insights into daily life, essential for meaningful personal growth.
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This week focuses on managing challenging experiences during psychedelic sessions, teaching students to recognize, support, and navigate these moments effectively.
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This week explores legal and ethical considerations surrounding recent regulatory changes to MDMA and Psilocybin in Australia, as well as the ethical implications of psychedelic use.
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Students are asked to engage in their own integration process by presenting briefly to the peer group about a personal/professional aspect of their life that holds meaning and reflects their evolving grasp of this work.
INCLUDED STUDY
This course includes our flagship course library from Navigating Psychedelics for Clinicians and Wellness Practitioners.
A course specially designed for health and wellness practitioners who want to learn more about psychedelic medicine, wish to integrate psychedelics into their existing practice, and those beginning a new career in the emerging field of psychedelics.
At Psychedelics Today, we have tapped our extensive professional psychedelic network to address the complexities around psychedelic therapy. This course serves to enhance prior knowledge of psychedelics or serve as an introduction to this emerging field of healthcare.
What is the time commitment for the live edition?
Space is limited!
We have kept groups small and intimate to ensure that all students can contribute to the live group discussions.
Nine consecutive weeks involve interactive, 1.5-hour sessions over Zoom that will educate and guide healthcare professionals on psychedelic medicine. A final project will conclude the course in Week 9.
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Upon finishing the course, participants will receive a Navigating Psychedelics certificate of course completion. (Note this course is for educational purposes. Psychedelics Today does not train therapists to facilitate psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.)
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Meet Your Lead Facilitators
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Originating from Colombia and now deeply ingrained in the Australian psychedelic scene, Diego brings an international perspective and deep commitment to the field of psychedelic therapy. After moving to Australia in 2008, his dedication led him to earn a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Canberra, followed by a Masters in Transpersonal Psychology from Sofia University in California.
Diego has navigated the psychedelic landscape through significant roles in the non-profit sector and the esteemed Psychae Institute. His contributions to Australia's groundbreaking psilocybin trial for end-of-life depression and anxiety at St. Vincent’s Melbourne underline his commitment to this transformative field.
Always eager to delve deeper into the world of psychedelic education, Diego was among the first in Australia to complete the 12-month training program, Vital, from Psychedelics Today. Now, he harnesses his expertise as an instructor and coordinator for the program, guiding and inspiring the next generation of psychedelic facilitators.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Diego is a passionate practitioner of martial arts, swimming, and meditation, reflecting his holistic view of health and well-being. His keen interest in Somatic and Transpersonal approaches to psychotherapy embodies his belief in a comprehensive approach to mental health.
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Associate Professor Petra Skeffington is a Clinical Psychologist in Private Practice, and an academic at Murdoch University in Perth. Her research and clinical expertise centres on psychological trauma and recovery, including resilience to trauma, prevention of post-trauma pathologies, and innovative approaches to treating psychological trauma. A/Prof Skeffington was one of the first Australians to achieve MAPS certification for MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy in early 2023, is a lead therapist on a clinical trial investigating MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy, and is part of the therapy team on a clinical trial investigating Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy.
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Renee Harvey is a highly experienced clinical psychologist who relocated from the UK to Australia to develop training in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP). She has many years of experience as a lecturer, trainer, clinician and service developer within the mental health field. Her ideas on PAP training are featured in a recently published book chapter (Harvey, 2021) and in various talks and podcasts.
Prior to relocation, Renee was an Honorary Research Fellow and assistant guide in the Imperial College London trial researching psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression. She also facilitated the development of psychedelic interest groups and established and ran a psychedelic Integration Circle in Brighton.
Renee has worked as an assistant therapist on the psilocybin trials at St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, aimed at the alleviation of depression and anxiety associated with life-threatening illnesses. She is also on the Clinical Advisory Board of Reset Mind Sciences, providing therapist training for their psychedelic research program. She also has a private practice in Melbourne with an emphasis on providing psychedelic integration.
Renee is also currently providing intensive clinical training in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for other research teams across Australia, as well as providing supervision to trial therapists and contributing to developing research protocols. She also provides introductory courses in collaboration with Psychedelics Today. She is also currently an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Western Australia.
And Your Weekly Guest Presenters
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Dr Stephen Bright is a clinically-trained psychologist who has worked in the field for more than 20 years. He has been the chief principal investigator of multisite clinical trials and has published research on psychedelics, microdosing, psychometrics and drug policy. Currently, Stephen is principal investigator on a trial investigating MDMA for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and an associate investigator of a trial of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for treatment-resistant depression for which he is also the lead therapist.
Stephen supervisors PhD and Masters students’ research at Edith Cowan University, where he teaches counselling skills and psychopharmacology. Dr Bright has given expert testimony to parliamentary inquest and court hearings. He was awarded Edith Cowan University’s Most Prolific Conversation Author in 2018 and 2019. In his spare time, Steve enjoys kite surfing along Perth’s beaches.
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Dr Liam Engel is an Australian ethnobotanist, psychoactive researcher and science communicator. Liam is the creator of The Mescaline Garden, an educational nursery concerned with psychoactive plants and culture, which gives emphasis to plant-based psychedelics, especially mescaline cacti and DMT-containing Acacia trees.
Under The Mescaline Garden banner, Liam works alongside numerous harm reduction and psychoactive organisations including Entheogenesis Australis, Erowid, Kosmicare, DanceWize, AOD Media Watch, Harm Reduction Australia, The Loop and many others.
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Martin Williams, PhD, is a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Mental Health, Swinburne University, and Adjunct in Computational Neuroscience at the Turner Institute, Monash. He is Executive Director of Psychedelic Research in Science & Medicine (PRISM) and Vice-President of Entheogenesis Australis (EGA).
Martin is a co-investigator on several Australian clinical trials of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, including studies at St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, Monash, and Swinburne, involving psilocybin, MDMA, and other psychedelics for mental health conditions.
An advocate for psychedelic medical research for nearly 20 years, Martin has co-authored academic papers, presented at conferences, and frequently commented on psychedelic research and governance in Australian media. He is co-editor of an upcoming Frontiers special issue on novel psychedelics.
BONUS EXTRAS
Bonus: Trip Journal
Are you planning a journey in the near future or working with clients who may be planning a trip? This journal is something you don't want to forget!
This journal will also help you or your clients best prepare for their experience and aids as a wonderful tool for self-exploration.
The Navigating Psychedelics Trip Journal is the ultimate book to help one prepare, track, and begin to work with their psychedelic experiences.
In this 68 page book, you will find preparation tips and advice, journal prompts, a psychedelic trip checklist, a trip report section, and more.
BONUS EXTRAS
Bonus: Integration Workbook
Have you had a psychedelic experience and are unsure how to work with the experience?
Psychedelic experiences can be difficult, confusing, blissful, and life-changing, but knowing what to do next can be overwhelming. That is why we have designed the Navigating Psychedelics Integration Workbook to help you with your process.
This workbook can also be used with your clients as a starting point for their integration process.
We have received amazing feedback from therapists and coaches who have been using these books with clients and absolutely LOVE them!
This workbook consists of different activities such as meditation prompts, journaling exercises, and goal planning.
FAQs
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Please see above for the course schedule. This course is currently being offered during our live dates this July-September 2024. We also have an On-Demand "Independent Learner" option that does not include Live sessions. With this option, you will be able to work through the recorded material at your own pace.
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The course has been pushed and start date will be determined soon.
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After enrolling, you have unlimited access to the course content for as long as you’d like, across any and all devices. You will receive access to the course replays and other materials that were presented during class.
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This course will be interactive and requires participation. If you are not able to join the live calls, we recommend waiting to join the course when you are able to join live. We may have a self-study course in the future.
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Life happens, we understand. If you happen to miss a class because of a life event, you will receive access to the course replays.
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No, this course does not teach or certify anyone to work with psychedelics. This course is for educational purposes only. During the course, you will explore the concepts of psychedelic integration and how to work with previous psychedelic experiences.
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Yes, you can choose a payment plan at checkout via Affirm or Afterpay. If you live in a country where these options are not available, please email us info@psychedelicstoday.com
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The course is $1,450 AUD.
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Yes, the early bird pricing will be $1150 AUD until July 1st.
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We have very limited scholarships for this class.
If you are seeking a scholarship for this class, please take a moment to fill out this application.
PRICING
Let’s get started
Reserve your seat today
Cohort 1
Dates:
September 30 - December 2
Mondays / 07:00 PM Australian Eastern Standard Time
$1,150 AUD + tax
Disclaimer
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Disclaimer
This course in no way promotes, condones, or facilitates illegal activity. This course is strictly for educational purposes only. Please be aware that most psychedelic substances are illegal in many countries. By enrolling into this program, you are agreeing that Psychedelics Today takes no responsibilities for your actions.
This course does not provide credentials or training for therapists, coaches, and clinicians to provide psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy services. Largely these services are illegal.
Informed Consent
Please be aware that this course is for educational purposes only. This is not a substitute for traditional psychotherapy or medicine. This course is designed to provide education from our personal and professional experiences. If you are experiencing significant issues, please seek medical attention.
Limitations of course
The exercises in this course are oriented towards personal and spiritual development. The techniques or modalities are in no way a replacement for traditional therapy. Much of the information in this course could be applied to your on-going therapy, if you are currently utilizing mental health services.
We believe that providing education, peer-support, and harm reduction is important for this field.
Again, this course also does not train/certify therapists, clinicians, or coaches to provide/facilitate illegal activities.
By enrolling in this course, you are agreeing that you understand the purpose and limitations of this course.
Looking forward to taking this journey with you!