Program Overview
Our certificate program offers hybrid cohorts in San Francisco and Boston as well as online cohorts which will be facilitated over 7 total weekends. There will be two 4-day weekends, a 6-day retreat, two 2-day weekends, and two 1-day weekends. Cohorts begin in Fall with a closing weekend the following Spring. Online trainees will participate at a distance, doing the experiential learning modules via video conference breakout rooms.
Applications for the 2023-2024 cohort are now closed, and no late applications will be considered. We will advertise here when admissions for 2024-2025 are open. Please sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of this page for announcements about the next cohort.
Program Background
Consistent with the holistic ideals of CIIS, this certificate strives to encompass all aspects of learning: intellectual/didactic, personal/experiential, and applied.
The research and therapy training is conducted with learning processes embedded in self-reflection, community-building, embodied ways of knowing, and mentoring. Trainees learn a wide variety of necessary skills and knowledge bases, ranging from pharmacology of psychedelics to research design to psychedelic therapist competencies to the history of use of psychoactive plants across the globe to cultural competencies for working with diverse clients.
The program thoroughly covers clinical work with MDMA and psilocybin (the two medicines furthest along in the FDA drug development process) with additional coursework on ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (FDA-approved for specific clinical syndromes). In order to accomplish such a holistic enterprise, the program values and implements the deconstruction of various perspectives and cultural viewpoints, along with didactic and experiential learning with teachers representing diverse specializations. The global wisdom traditions related to alterations of consciousness (meditation, yoga, fasting, solo wilderness retreats, healing methods, etc.) play a role in the theoretical underpinnings of the curriculum, as well as being directly enacted as part of the personal/experiential aspect of the training.
Two core elements for our classes are diversity, inclusion, and belonging as well as navigating the challenges of non-profit and corporate influences in the field. We co-create a culture of belonging throughout the program for all trainees in order to foster safety, empathy, connection, and risk-taking. With special attention given to skill development as a psychedelic-assisted therapist, trainees will increase their cultural competencies and cultural humility, including the capacity for addressing microaggressions and implicit biases. Due to our robust commitment to an inclusive program environment, we conduct focus groups with under-represented recent graduates to assess progress regarding all aspects of diversity, equity, and inclusion in our program.
Eligibility Criteria
The certificate is designed for advanced professionals working in related therapeutic areas: licensed mental health clinicians, specific medical professionals, and ordained/commissioned clergy and chaplains. Pre-licensed applicants are not eligible for the certificate program.
For professionals who meet the criteria listed below, we welcome applicants with a substantial background in psychological treatment with diverse populations, behavioral medicine, chronic trauma and PTSD, palliative care, hospice, psychiatry, drug and alcohol rehabilitation, oncology, mediation and resolution, and/or pain management. Applicants with substantial experience in providing psychotherapy, counseling, pastoral care, mediation, and/or spiritual direction will also be considered strong candidates for the certificate program.
The Center for Psychedelic Therapies and Research especially encourages applications from eligible individuals who identify as BIPOC; identify as LGBTQIA+; are military veterans/service members; are clinical CIIS faculty, students, alumni, supervisors, adjuncts, and staff; and/or serve under-resourced and under-represented populations.
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Licensed professionals in these specializations must have an MA/MS, MSW, BSN or higher degree in behavioral health, medicine, or mental health fields.
We welcome applicants from outside the U.S. We review the licensing credentials from non-U.S. professional boards on a case-by-case basis. To date, we have had the pleasure of training 66 international physicians and licensed psychotherapists.
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Ordained clergy and commissioned/ordained chaplains are considered as applicants if they actively serve in pastoral counseling and spiritual direction within the well-known world religious traditions. The three requirements for this group are that they must: have earned an accredited M.Div. with study in psychology and therapeutic skills; be ordained or commissioned within a supervised traditional and established curriculum with multiple teachers; and have completed 4 units of CPE prior to application. We encourage submissions from these applicants. There is aid available for clergy and chaplains who demonstrate financial need.
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Only licensed attorneys holding a J.D. with demonstrated supervised training and counseling work with families, couples, and individuals in several specific areas are eligible to apply. These areas are limited to: divorce mediation, child custody mediation and resolution, end-of-life counseling, estate plan counseling, family and elder law counseling, and community dispute resolution. A strong candidate will be an applicant who did this counseling work under clinical supervision in non-profit or service agency for the benefit of under-resourced populations. Counseling attorneys must have passed the bar, been licensed prior to applying, and have earned certifications in one or more of these specific areas.
Degree and Residence Requirements
Our hybrid and online programs have different eligibility requirements. Please ensure that you have the appropriate qualifications (specific advanced degree, licensure, commission, and/or ordination) and reside in a state that permits you to participate before applying.
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These professionals who hold the following specific advanced degrees and licensure, commissions, or ordinations may apply to the hybrid certificate programs:
- Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LAADC with MA)
- Attorneys in counseling specialties (JD)
- Behavioral Analysts (BCBA/BCBA-D with MA/MS or PhD)
- Certified Nurse-Midwives (CNM with MS)
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (PhD/PsyD)
- Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
- Counseling Nutritionists (RD, RDN, CNS, or CCN with MA/MS)
- Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
- Naturopathic Doctors (ND)
- Nurse Practitioners (NP with MS)
- Occupational Therapists (OT with MA/MS)
- Ordained Clergy and Commissioned Chaplains (with M.Div. and 4 units of CPE)
- Pharmacists (MS or PharmD)
- Physical Therapists (PT with MA)
- Physician Assistants (PA)
- Physicians and Psychiatrists (MD/DO)
- Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC/LPC)
- Registered Nurses (BSN or higher)
- Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioners (TCM with MA/MS)
State restrictions on hybrid programs:
Some states restrict residents from taking hybrid training programs out of state. In these cases, such states require institutions to be authorized or exempt in order to enroll trainees residing in the state. You can learn more about state authorization here. -
Our entirely online cohort, which will be open only to licensed psychotherapists, psychiatrists, and psychiatric nurses, will allow greater accessibility to the certificate program for these clinicians both nationally and internationally. This CIIS certificate curriculum is approved as a psilocybin training program by the Oregon Health Authority (Training Program ID #TP-ce7dd84c). In order to receive full certification, CIIS is actively pursuing the additional requirements of the other Oregon regulatory agencies working with OHA. If you are interested in receiving email updates about our status in Oregon, please enter your email address here.
Only professionals who hold the following specific advanced degrees and licensure may apply to the Online certificate program:
- Advanced Alcohol and Drug Counselors (LAADC with MA)
- Behavioral Analyst (BCBA/BCBA-D with MA/MS or PhD)
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologists (PhD/PsyD)
- Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
- Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
- Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners (NP with MS)
- Psychiatrists (MD/DO)
- Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC/LPC)
- Psychiatric Registered Nurses (BSN or higher)
State Restrictions on Online Programs for Residents:
Some states restrict residents from taking Online training programs out of state. In these cases, such states require institutions to be authorized or exempt in order to enroll trainees residing in the state. You can learn more about state authorization here.
Application Materials
Applications for the 2023-2024 cohort are now closed, and no late applications will be considered. Please join our newsletter list at the bottom of this page for announcements about the next cohort.
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In 2-3 pages, please describe your background and interest in this certificate. Tell us anything pertinent regarding your personal development and progress through the stages of licensure, commissioning, or ordination, and include descriptions of your training in therapy, medicine, counseling law, or spiritual direction. Please also be sure to cover your training in diversity, equity, and inclusion and how you use that knowledge and skill base to improve your clinical work or spiritual direction practice. Share how you learned the following topics and where you practiced these skills and knowledge with diverse clinical populations: understanding of psychological diagnoses; understanding of the therapeutic alliance; how to conduct individual and group psychotherapy; recognition of transference and counter-transference; skills in addressing diversity, inclusion, and belonging; maintaining professional and pastoral boundaries; and confidentiality. Tell us how you integrate psychology, mindfulness, or spirituality into your own practices of personal development.
In addition, your goals are important to us. Please share with us what you hope to do with this certificate. Make sure to consider the ways you might use this training for your current work in the world, to expand your skills in advocating for inclusion and equity in healthcare, and how this training can contribute to your long-term life goals.
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Please include a resume or CV that outlines the history of your higher education, licensure, ordainment, or commission status, practica, internships, residencies, work in service to communities, pastoral care, and fieldwork.
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Licensed and ordained/commissioned applicants should submit a copy of current license(s); or for clergy, commission/ordination papers and documentation of 4 units of CPE (400 hours); or for counseling attorneys, any post-graduate certifications in counseling fields.
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Please submit contact information for one or two current or past clinical supervisors, mentors, and/or professors who are willing to serve as a reference. Include their full name, email, phone number, and relationship to the trainee. We prefer contacting references rather than reading letters of recommendation.
Only candidates who have submitted all application materials will be considered for the interview stage. Candidates selected from this pool will be invited to interview with an admissions committee member via video conference as the next step.
Cost and Scholarships
The education, experience, and connections available through our certificate program last a lifetime. We offer multiple ways to make this professional training accessible and affordable, including need-based scholarships for BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, military service members/veterans, clergy or chaplains, and those serving under-resourced communities.
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Application Fee: $150 non-refundable
Tuition Cost: $8,900
When an applicant is offered admission to the 2023-2024 program, $500 is due within two weeks of the offer of admission or by June 22, 2023, whichever comes first. This enrollment deposit will secure your space in the program. The $8,900 tuition, less the enrollment deposit and any need-based scholarship awarded, may be paid in one or three payments.Continuing Education Payments (Optional): For those trainees who choose to receive the available Continuing Education Hours or Credits, there will be an additional charge of $10 per credit or hour for CMEs and $60 per weekend for CEs. Up to 30 Continuing Education Hours and Credits may be earned during the training.
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We receive funding from generous donors for scholarships for trainees from under-represented communities enrolling in the Certificate in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies and Research. These scholarships are awarded to certificate trainees and will help promote equity in this emerging field and access to these healing medicines for all diverse communities. The certificate program sponsors need-based scholarships for applicants under six specific criteria:
- Those in demonstrated financial need
- Those identified as BIPOC
- Those identified as LGBTQIA+
- Those who are military service members/veterans
- Those who are clergy or chaplains
- Those who are serving under-resourced communities
We encourage applicants to apply if they meet any of the criteria. To apply, applicants must write a 1-page letter describing their membership in any of the groups above. Each applicant will also report key facts about their financial situation. The Need-Based Scholarship statement letter is due with the application materials. Our goal is that applicants for aid will be notified on a rolling basis through June 15, 2023.
We would like to thank all our certificate program graduates who generously funded scholarships since 2016:
- The Certificate Alumni Association created a substantial scholarship fund for BIPOC enrollees
- Dr. Jesus Gomez established The BIPOC Scholarship
- Dr. Denise Renye established a scholarship for a trainee who comes from a working-class family
- Elizabeth Baer provided a scholarship for a trainee who identifies as BIPOC
- The Boston Psychedelic Research Group established a scholarship fund for Boston cohort BIPOC enrollees
- The George Sarlo Foundation has funded the Ricci Coddington Diversity Scholarships
- Dr. Wendy Feng funded a three-year gift to establish The Monnica T. Williams Scholarships and The Indigenous Scholarships
Thank you to trustees of CIIS, Dr. Ricki Pollycove, Betsy Gordon, and Maeve Rockefeller for additional scholarship funding. We would also like to thank all our generous donors throughout the years who have made substantial gifts to provide scholarships to certificate trainees.
- Those in demonstrated financial need
Continuing Education
Trainees may earn up to 30 approved hours of applicable Continuing Education Hours and Credits for an additional administrative fee. Please see the details below of the organizations with which the certificate program has contracted to provide Continuing Education Hours and Credits. There is an additional charge of $10 per credit or hour for CMEs and $60 per weekend for CEs.
For questions about enrolling in CE or receiving your Certificate of Attendance, contact Wendy Campbell at wcampbell@ciis.edu.
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CME AMA PRA Category 1 Credit TM from CME Consultants.
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CE credits for psychologists are provided by the Spiritual Competency Academy (SCA) which is co-sponsoring this program. The Spiritual Competency Academy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Spiritual Competency Academy maintains responsibility for this program and its content. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts CE credits for LCSW, LPCC, LEP, and LMFT license renewal for programs offered by approved sponsors of CE by the American Psychological Association. LCSW, LPCC, LEP, LMFTs, and other mental health professionals from states other than California need to check with their state licensing board as to whether or not they accept programs offered by approved sponsors of CE by the American Psychological Association. SCA is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN Provider CEP16887) for licensed nurses in California. RNs must retain this document for 4 years after the course concludes. SCA is an approved CE provider for National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coaches (CEP Number 100196).
For other questions about CEs, contact Spiritual Competency Academy at info@spiritualcompetencyacademy.com.
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Course meets the qualifications for hours of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. The California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs (Provider #85777). CIIS maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.
Trainees are awarded a certificate of completion for course work after paying the continuing education fee and completing the CE program evaluation up to 30 hours. Continuing Education Certificates are mailed to trainees.