Anad Thomas, MSN, CRNA, APRN
Training the Next Generation of Psychedelic Therapists and Researchers
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California Institute of Integral Studies is one of the best known organizations offering a certificate program to train future therapists working with psychedelics.
The New York Times
Psychedelic-assisted therapy is rapidly emerging as a transformative field in mental health and spiritual healing. As society begins to integrate psychedelics into health care and wellness spaces, the need for well-trained, culturally attuned practitioners continues to grow. For more than 55 years, California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) has been a leader in consciousness studies and innovative psychological training. In 2015, we launched the first-ever university-affiliated Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research Certificate Program—an offering that helped shape the field as it exists today. CIIS remains a preeminent institution for safe, ethical, evidence-informed, and spiritually grounded training in psychedelic-assisted therapy.
About the Certificate Program
This program includes 140–150 hours of professional instruction and preparation, delivered across 8 weekends from October to May in either a hybrid or online format. Students also benefit from mentorship with leading experts, with mentor groups meeting regularly throughout the program.
To receive the full information packet—including curriculum details, cohort format overviews, and next steps—please submit the form above. An admissions advisor will follow up to support you.
Why Choose CIIS
CIIS’ Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research Certificate Program combines intellectual and didactic learning, personal and experiential study, and applied practice for clinical, nonclinical, and religious professionals.
Preeminence and Prominence
Gold Standard of Training and Safety
CIIS was the first-ever university-affiliated Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research Certificate Program. Founder and Center Director, Dr. Janis Phelps, is a trailblazer in the field; her therapist competencies and guidelines for training serve as the international standard. Our facilitators and mentors, who come from diverse and esteemed backgrounds, are leading psychedelic experts and renowned researchers. To date, our program has trained more than 1,700 licensed or ordained care professionals to become psychedelic therapists, facilitators, and researchers.
Timely and Timeless Transformation
Integrating Science and the Sacred
Our roots lie in contemporary, global, and historical spiritual and wisdom traditions–with transformation at the center of wellness and growth. Our decades-long commitment is to science, legality, safety, and ethics; to a maturing psychedelic culture centered on integrity, trustworthiness, and transparency; and to the potentially transformative outcomes of the indications being studied.
Holistic and Human-Centered Healing
Over Five Decades of Whole-Person Care and Integration
While others accepted a purely traditional medical model of patient care, CIIS embraces holistic wellness and a whole-person approach to health and healing, including spiritual practices, somatic awareness, transpersonal psychology, Indigenous plant medicine, and mysticism and contemplation.
"CPTR changed my life and the trajectory of my career. It gave me access to the kind of people I needed to meet, and a thorough understanding of where I, as a person of color, can focus my work to have the biggest impact. That education will go far in assuring that psychedelics are used with equity reciprocation.”
Eligibility and Admissions Criteria
You are eligible to apply to CIIS’ Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research Certificate Program if you are:
- A licensed medical or mental health professional; ordained clergy or a commissioned chaplain; or a counseling attorney
- A professional with a bachelor’s or advanced graduate degree and relevant coursework and/or work experience in areas such as mental health, wellness coaching, medical administration, law, philosophy, music and the arts, the sciences, guidance counseling, social work, or related fields
We are committed to enrolling cohorts with diverse backgrounds and welcome applicants from historically underrepresented groups. Professionals from outside the U.S. are also encouraged to apply. We strive to make this training accessible by offering Need-Based Scholarships.
State Restrictions: Residents from Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, District of Columbia (DC), Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, or Wisconsin are unfortunately not eligible at this time.