Continuing Education Accredited Psychedelic-assisted Psychotherapy Training Program for Mental Health Professionals
At ATMA, we realize the crucial role that practitioners play in the evolution of psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Therefore, building a support system of services to support them will be the most efficient way to encourage the ethical and safe practice of psychedelic-assisted therapy.
ATMA recognizes the lack of resources that are currently at the disposal of mental healthcare professionals. In response to this, and in partnership with Wayfound Mental Health Group, we have developed an introductory psychedelic-assisted therapy training program – a practical turn-key solution for psychologists, counselors, and other mental healthcare professionals, which facilitates the integration of such therapies into clinics and independent practices.
ATMA Introductory Training Program
ATMA Psychedelic-assisted Therapy Training Program
ATMA Academy, in partnership with Wayfound Mental Health Group, and with support from the Psychologists’ Association of Alberta (PAA), has developed an eight week, 20-hour introductory training program for mental health professionals, helping them to develop competency in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
Current psychedelic therapy training programs are cost, time, and resource intensive (e.g. MAPS). ATMA’s training program presents a more convenient and streamlined approach opportunity that aims to introduce mental health professionals to a breadth of psychedelic medicines. Our Introduction to Psychedelic-assisted Therapy Training Program currently has one offering, geared towards mental health professionals who are new to psychedelic medicine and are eager to dive into the field. The program focuses on the different medicines and how to effectively treat patients with specific mental health concerns. Industry-leading experts share their knowledge and experiences regarding psychedelic medicines and how to best incorporate these medicines into practice.
We are in the process of developing three additional training programs, two of which will provide advanced training for those interested in integrating psilocybin therapy into their practices. This training will provide the opportunity for legal experiential training, which will involve students embodying both the roles of the psychedelic guide and the participant, under the supervision of professional psychedelic guides and medical practitioners. The Introduction to Psychedelic-assisted Therapy Training Program is a prerequisite to the more advanced experiential training programs.
Additionally, we are continuing to build the Practitioner Network and Services (PNS), which will allow for mental healthcare professionals to stay up-to-date with emerging research and best practices, as well as to offer them support with consultations and referral opportunities. The training program will give therapists access to this network.
How the Therapy Training Program Works
Mental health professionals training through the ATMA program will gain experience through:
Introduction to Psychedelic-assisted Therapy Training Program
Psilocybin-assisted Therapy Training Program, including the experiential practicum (firsthand experience with psilocybin, as well as guiding others through psilocybin journeys).
Practitioner Network and Services (PNS) - collaborate with a network of mental health professionals.
The Research
Significant empirical data has been collected through clinical trials carried out by credible Academic Institutions regarding the efficacy of psychedelic medicine in the treatment of the ever-growing range of mental health problems. The findings in this body of research emphasize the necessity of having psychotherapy as an integral component of psychedelic-assisted therapy and treatment.
What does legal psychedelic therapy mean for licensed mental health care professionals?
The growing evidence of the effectiveness of psychedelic-assisted therapy is becoming hard to ignore, especially when it could potentially help millions of Canadians coping with rising mental health issues.
We advocate for a clear process. We help regulated health professionals incorporate psychedelic-assisted treatment into their practice. Assuming competency to offer novel interventions within one’s practice has been sought and continues to be developed, regulated Canadian health professionals will be able to provide psychedelic-assisted therapy to those who meet the criteria, and, as importantly, clients will be given access to psychedelic-assisted treatment through their own therapists.
