The inaugural class of counselors trained to guide clients who have ingested newly-legal psychedelic drugs through their experience have graduated from Oregon’s six-month certification program Friday, the Associated Press reports. The class of 35 is the first of three to finish the course this weekend.
Called “facilitators,” the graduates took a pledge similar to other health care providers that they will “do no harm” as they guide their patients experiencing reportedly life-altering effects attributed to psilocybin. While they received a certification for completion of their instruction, conducted by a private company at literally a retreat in the woods, the facilitators need to pass a state exam to get licensed.
The Oregon Health Authority reports that has received more than 190 licensing requests related to the Ballot Measure 109, passed in 2020, that allows the legal use of psilocybin for “personal development” so long as the use is done in a licensed environment where trained personnel are available to help. Research has show psilocybin use can relieve issues relating to PTSD, anxiety and other mental health conditions.