Colorado's Natural Medicine Program LEGAL ACCESS IS EXPANDING

Synthesis Colorado Psilocybin Facilitator Training Program Join The Interest List

 

New Pathways for Legal Facilitation in the US are Opening Soon

The Synthesis Institute is Preparing for Approval for Facilitation Training in Colorado

The Synthesis Institute is working diligently to meet Colorado's requirements for becoming an approved Facilitator Training Program by the end of 2024.

 

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Colorado Facilitator Training

Becoming an Approved Facilitator in Colorado with The Synthesis Institute

Updated December 4, 2024

 

We are thrilled to share our progress toward meeting Colorado’s requirements for becoming an Approved Facilitator Training Program under the state’s Natural Medicine Program by the end of 2024.

 

The Synthesis Institute is actively adapting to Colorado’s evolving regulatory landscape to ensure our Psychedelic Practitioner Training fully complies with recently adopted laws.

Our training program will offer all the stipulated requirements for our students to be eligible to apply for Facilitator* and Clinical Facilitator** licenses (see definitions below) in Colorado.

 

1. Obtaining a Training License

To obtain a Training License, participants must complete 150+ hours of didactic education  training through the Psychedelic Practitioner Core Training, including a specific Colorado Module.

 

2. Supervised Training (Post-License)

Once participants have obtained a Training License, they must then, under supervision, complete the following training components to obtain a Facilitator or Clinical Facilitator license:

  • 40+ hours of supervised practice training through the Synthesis Immersion Apprenticeship program

  • 40+ hours of consultation through the Synthesis Practicum program 

3. Apply for Licensure

 

 

For Synthesis Alumni, Current, and New Students

 

Existing students and alumni of the Synthesis Psychedelic Practitioner Training and new students enrolling in our Core Training before the Colorado track becomes available may be able to apply for a Colorado facilitator license once your training is complete. Additional curriculum requirements may be needed, which The Synthesis Institute will provide to ensure your experience matches the application requirements.

 

We will make more information available here as our application advances.

 

 

Facilitator** licenses are for individuals who provide natural medicine services to participants whose safety screening, based on generally accepted standards of practice, does not identify risk factors that would suggest the need for the involvement of a medical or behavioral health provider.

 

Clinical Facilitator* licenses are for professionals who may provide natural medicine services to participants for the purpose of treating physical or behavioral/mental health conditions. A Clinical Facilitator licensee must hold current and active Colorado licensure in a profession that authorizes. They must hold an active and valid license in Colorado to practice any of the following:

 

  1. 1.  (PSY) Psychologist, (LSW) Licensed Social Worker, (LCSW) Licensed Clinical Social Worker, (MFT) Marriage and Family Therapist, (LPC) Licensed Professional Counselor, or (LAC) Licensed Addiction Counselor; or

 

2. Medical Doctor (MD), Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO), advanced practice nurse (APN), including Nurse Practitioner (NP), or Physician Assistant (PA). 



Join our interest list to receive notifications when updates become available.

 

How is the legislature changing in Colorado?

 

Colorado's SB 23-290, which was signed into law on May 23, 2023, decriminalizes the personal use of certain psychedelics for adults 21 and older. This law allows individuals to grow, process, store, use, transport, obtain, share, or ingest psilocybin, psilocin, DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline (excluding peyote) without facing criminal penalties. However, selling these substances or using them for commercial promotion is prohibited, as is advertising related to sharing psychedelics or offering services used in conjunction with psychedelic consumption. Payments are allowed for specific services like harm reduction, therapy, and support, and educational materials and websites related to natural medicine are permitted.


The Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) and the Colorado Department of Revenue will regulate the manufacture, cultivation, testing, storage, and sale of natural medicines. Initially, this applys to psilocybin and psilocin, with the potential addition of DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline in 2026.

 

Licensed healing centers can provide natural medicine services, including preparation, administration, and integration sessions facilitated by authorized professionals. Governor Polis has established the Natural Medicine Health Board to develop policy recommendations, and localities can regulate but not prohibit the operation of healing centers within their boundaries. 

 

Discover more about the Natural Medicine Licensure Rules and Regulation and other draft rules here.

 

 

About the Synthesis Institute

 

The Synthesis Institute was founded on a commitment to offering legal and professional psychedelic-supported retreat programs. As the legal landscape for psychedelic care expands, The Synthesis Institute will continue to broaden its educational and training offerings to ensure safe, ethical, and legal access to psychedelic-assisted healing modalities.

 

Since the launch of The Synthesis Institute in 2018, we've supported more than 1,000 individuals through legal and professionally guided psychedelic-supported healing programs.  More than 400 participants have graduated from our pioneering Psychedelic Practitioner Training since its inception in 2021. As a leading retreat and training organization with more than 6 years of direct experience facilitating legal retreats, we recognize our responsibility to uphold the highest professional and ethical standards of care.

 

 

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Join our interest list to stay informed on the possibility of becoming a licensed facilitator in Colorado through the Synthesis Colorado Psilocybin Training Program:

 

We are thrilled at the prospect of translating our robust training programs into a path for licensure in Colorado. We look forward to supporting access and healing through this meaningful modality once the state approves The Synthesis Institute as a certified facilitator training program (expected in late 2024).

PSYCHEDELIC PRACTITIONER TRAINING

COLORADO FAQS

Accessing Facilitator Training

Can I apply to be a facilitator if I do not live in Colorado?

Yes, you can, there are also no residency requirements for facilitator licenses in Colorado. The regulations do not specifically prohibit non-U.S. citizens from applying, but you must meet all other licensure requirements.

Does my Synthesis Psychedelic Facilitator Core Training prepare me for the Colorado application?

Yes, the Synthesis Psychedelic Practitioner Core training meets the needs of the 150 hours of didactic training as required by the Natural Medicines Act. You will still need to complete the required Practicum, Consultation, and Colorado Module, which will all be offered by Synthesis. 

What are the implications for licensed healthcare practitioners, such as doctors and therapists, who are interested in becoming facilitators?

Unlike Oregon, fortunately, the statute provides protections for professional licenses holders, noting that they cannot lose their license for engaging in acts under the Natural Medicine Health Act. If professionals violate their standards of care or commit malpractice, they could still face consequences. While the statute offers protection, it’s not entirely cut and dry.

 

As a licensed professional (MD, MFT, etc), if you pursue the Clinical Facilitator licensure, you would be authorized to provide natural medicine services to treat physical or behavioral/mental health conditions. This practice would be within the scope of your medical license, and you would be expected to follow the same standards as in your medical practice. However, you must ensure that participating in natural medicine facilitation does not conflict with your DEA license or other medical licenses. The practice of facilitation is considered separate from the practice of medicine, but it is closely related and could impact your medical responsibilities depending on your specific situation.

Who may be qualified for a Clinical Facilitator license?

The applicant must already hold an active and valid license in one of the following professions:

Psychologist (PSY)

Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)

Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)

Medical Doctor (MD)

Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)

Advanced Practice Nurse (APN), including Nurse Practitioner (NP)

Physician Assistant (PA)

What is the difference between a Clinical Facilitator and Facilitator license?

The key differences between a Clinical Facilitator and a Facilitator in Colorado's natural medicine licensure system are based on the scope of practice, qualifications, and the type of participants they can work with:

Facilitator:

  1. Scope of Practice: A Facilitator is authorized to provide natural medicine services to participants whose safety screenings do not indicate medical or psychological risks that require further intervention. They are restricted from treating participants with more complex medical or psychological conditions unless there is medical clearance from a licensed healthcare provider.

  2. Qualifications: Facilitators do not need to hold a medical or behavioral health license, but they must complete an approved facilitator training program and meet general licensing requirements, such as proof of Basic Life Support certification. They cannot practice medicine or psychotherapy independently and must refer participants to a medical or behavioral health provider when risk factors are identified during safety screenings.

  3. Limitations: Facilitators may not work with participants taking certain medications (e.g., lithium or antipsychotics) unless there is clearance from a licensed medical provider. They must refer participants to appropriate professionals if the safety screen identifies risks.

 

Clinical Facilitator:

  1. Scope of Practice: A Clinical Facilitator is licensed to provide natural medicine services and has the authority to work with participants with more complex medical or psychological needs. They can independently provide services to participants who have risk factors identified in their safety screening, including those on certain medications, without needing additional medical clearance.

  2. Qualifications: Clinical Facilitators must hold a secondary medical or behavioral health license (e.g., MD, DO, NP, LPC, LCSW), which allows them to diagnose and treat medical or psychological conditions. They must also complete the same Natural Medicine Facilitator training program required for regular Facilitators.

  3. Additional Responsibilities: Clinical Facilitators have broader responsibilities in managing participants' health conditions and integrating natural medicine services with medical or psychological care.

Accessing Psilocybin Services

Is there a psilocybin dispensary model?

No, this is not a dispensary model. There will be no retail sales of psilocybin mushrooms. Instead, it is a therapeutic model that mandates supervised sessions with a licensed facilitator.

Does a person need a mental health diagnosis or prescription to access psilocybin services?

No, there is no requirement for a diagnosis or prescription to access psilocybin in this model. Anyone aged 21 and older can access psilocybin through the program without proving a mental health condition. However, the model is geared toward those seeking support for mental health, physical health, or pain conditions.

Where can psilocybin sessions take place in Colorado?

Colorado allows more flexibility than Oregon in where psilocybin sessions can be held. Sessions can occur at licensed Healing Centers, healthcare facilities, or even at participants' homes. If the session takes place at a home, either two facilitators must be present, or the session must be recorded to ensure safety.

 

Similar to Oregon, Colorado’s model allows for sessions to take place either indoors or outdoors, with the option for both individual and group facilitation sessions.

What is a licensed healing center?

A Healing Center is a licensed space that can store natural medicine, including psilocybin mushrooms, and host facilitated sessions. When not being used for psilocybin sessions, these spaces can also be used for other purposes such as therapy, yoga, or meditation. Some restrictions, like the requirement for participants to be over 21, do not apply when psilocybin is not being administered.