Research into psychedelics has surged in recent years, building momentum for mainstream clinical application. This growing body of work has generated significant interest among students eager to learn more about the history, science, and clinical protocols of psychedelic medicine. In response, several universities across the US have introduced curricula as elective courses, with professors developing original course content and materials.
Training a new generation of qualified practitioners is essential to meeting the growing demand and addressing the mental health crisis comprehensively.
Establishing curricula for training practitioners allows for the expansion of equitable access to these innovative treatments once approved. By equipping practitioners and students with the necessary knowledge and skills, we can ensure that psychedelic therapy reaches those in need, providing safe, effective care. Developing curricula in universities not only enhance the credibility and professionalism of the field but also foster widespread acceptance within the medical community, paving the way for broader insurance coverage and regulatory support.
BrainFutures partnered with the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) to conduct a survey on the state of psychedelic therapy curricula in U.S. academia as of spring/summer 2024. This survey is one of the most comprehensive studies on psychedelic therapy curriculum to date and reveals valuable insights from academic leaders in counseling, social work, nursing, and psychology.
Download the toolkit and course list here
BrainFutures created Integrating Psychedelic Coursework into Higher Education: A Toolkit for Academic Leaders to help educators and academic leaders introduce didactic psychedelic therapy coursework into their programs. Alongside this, we also created a contact list of psychedelic curricula developers who can provide support to educators navigating the field.
As part of BrainFutures’ ongoing series on workforce development in psychedelic medicine, we interviewed top educators from universities creating psychedelic courses at their institutions. These profiles showcase the real-world efforts to integrate high-quality psychedelic therapy curricula into academic programs.
Heidi Allen, MSW, PhD – Columbia University, School of Social Work
José Bauermeister, PhD – University of Pennsylvania, School of Nursing
Alyssa Draffin, MSW, LCSW – University of North Carolina, School of Social Work
Jennifer Jones, MD – Medical University of South Carolina, College of Medicine
Mary “Bit” Yaden, MD – Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine
BrainFutures hosted a Psychedelic Therapy Training Convening in New York City over two days and brought together leaders from multiple academic institutions across psychiatry, nursing, and social work to share and discuss their efforts in building curricula and to consider the future training landscape in this field.
The convening allowed for curriculum sharing, multidisciplinary educational requirements, and the potential challenges and solutions of implementing psychedelic therapy curriculum into higher education.
BrainFutures is grateful to the Steven & Alexandra Cohen Foundation, the Joe & Sandy Samberg Foundation, the Darla Moore Foundation, the Cammack Family Charitable Gift Fund, and an anonymous donor for making this project possible.
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