Testimonials about the Certificate Program

Testimonials from Our Council of Advisors and Faculty

From Dr. Anthony Bossis, PhD, clinician, researcher, and scholar at New York University:

"I am delighted to contribute to the Center for Psychedelic Therapies and Research at CIIS. The return of government approved scientific research into psilocybin and related compounds has significant potential for myriad scientific and clinical studies including the important treatment of existential and psycho-spiritual distress at the end of life. The re-emergence of this field will require serious multi-disciplinary academic centers to address the theoretical, research, and clinical domains of this work. With its history integrating psychology and spirituality, CIIS is uniquely and enormously qualified to meet this historic challenge."

From  Mary Cosimano, MSW, therapist, trainer, and research coordinator for the Johns Hopkins University psilocybin program:

"The establishment of the Center for Psychedelic Therapy and Research by CIIS in 2015 was groundbreaking. With the resurgence of psychedelic research the past two decades, an ever-growing number of institutions researching these compounds, and a Phase 3 trial underway, there is the promising possibility that FDA approval is sooner than ever before. Therefore the need for psychotherapists trained to work in this field is imminent. Graduates of the CPTR program are well trained to fill that role. I am grateful to be a part of this outstanding program."

From Dr. Rick Doblin, PhD, Founder and Executive Director of the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS):

"The Certificate Program in Psychedelic Therapy and Research at CIIS is a unique and transformative program. This program is trailblazing the way for the future of psychedelic therapy and research, preparing highly skilled and well trained professionals in the ethical and responsible administration of psychedelic therapy and conducting of psychedelic research."

From Dr. George Greer, MD, Co-Founder of the Heffter Research Institute:

"I've had the opportunity to both teach lectures and be a student in part of the CIIS CPTR program. The faculty is a Who's Who of the most notable and experienced psychedelic therapists and researchers, with both psilocybin and MDMA. The group of students attending one of the workshops with me was probably the most impressive group of 95 clinicians I have ever joined for an educational event. They were impressively knowledgeable and well trained, with years of experience and a solid emotional and attentive presence, which is the key to psychedelic therapy. We're fortunate to have a program with such an effective community of faculty and students in this new field of research and therapy."

From Dr. Ralph Metzner, PhD, psychotherapist and author of Ecology of Consciousness and Allies for Awakening:

"From my historical association with CIIS as former Academic Dean, I can say that the CPTR program is the most innovative, growing edge program that CIIS has ever organized. Training therapists for psychedelic-assisted therapy is training them for a field of practice that represents a magnificent leap of faith in the future evolution and growth of the field of psychedelic psychospiritual healing.

"From my years of travels and visits to medical/psychiatric institutions involved in psychedelic projects in the UK, Switzerland, Canada, Sweden, Czech Republic, Germany, and elsewhere, I can say that the existence of this unique program at CIIS and its attractiveness to would-be psychedelic therapists is being watched with admiration and great interest."

From Dr. William Richards, STM, PhD, scholar, clinician, and researcher at Johns Hopkins University:

"Accompanying the rebirth of psychedelic research and its many promising clinical, educational and religious applications, CIIS has stepped forward to design a program that not only offers techniques and information, but also nurtures the psychological and spiritual maturation of future investigators and practitioners. It is an honor to be associated with CIIS and to contribute to the rich unfolding of this educational trajectory."

Testimonials from Our Students and Graduates

From Dr. Robert M. Grant, MD, MPH, Professor, School of Medicine, UCSF:

"This certificate program involves an extraordinary panel of pioneers whose knowledge and skills have grown over decades of research and practice. You learn from founders, current academic leaders from leading US medical schools, shamans, healers, and other visionaries. People with awesome knowledge and wisdom embrace and celebrate your experience as you become part of this work."

From Robert Krause, MSN, APRN-BC, Lecturer, Yale University, School of Nursing:

"I have been so pleased with the program in psychedelic psychotherapy here at the California Institute of Integral Studies. The program has been of the highest quality of any educational programs I have participated. I am looking forward to putting this to use in upcoming research at Yale and when possible to integrate this into my private practice."

From Dr. Anne St. Goar, MD, Lead Research Therapist, MAPS Boston Research Site:

"It is an honor to be part of this dynamic pioneer class of 2016. It has been a life-changing process to be part of this group of talented folks, with diverse experiences and uniform excitement for the work. The faculty, most of them leaders in this field, have been inspiring and accessible. My goal at the beginning of the course to figure out more ways to be involved in this expanding world of research has been met magnificently. I look forward to the continuing journey."