Psychedelics

Psychedelics@CIIS

Transforming the promise of psychedelic care through science, safety, and the sacred.

Psychedelic-assisted therapy and research are poised to revolutionize mental health and well-being – and CIIS is leading the way.

For over 50 years, CIIS has been a leader in innovative approaches to health and wellness, and consciousness studies and research, including the study of psychotropics. Today, CIIS has earned the reputation as “one of the best known organizations [training] future therapists working with psychedelics,” according to The New York Times. With the mainstreaming of psychedelics, CIIS continues to lead the field through cutting-edge academic offerings such as our new (and first-ever) Bachelor’s of Science in Psychedelics, and community impact initiatives like the launch of our new community ketamine clinic.

A New Era for Psychedelics@CIIS

Happening Now

Discover the latest initiatives, research, conferences, and announcements at Psychedelics@CIIS.

CIIS is hosting a live public event featuring The New York Times Correspondent Ernesto Londoño and includes CIIS panelists Dr. Janis Phelps, Dr. Jason Butler, and Dr. Nick Walker. Londoño will read from his new book, Trippy, and there will be a roundtable conversation about the future of psychedelics—nationally, globally, and at CIIS.

Faculty Conference Presentation

Dr. Laura Pustarfi, Director of the Center for Psychedelic Therapies and Research (CPTR), will discuss psychedelics, the vegetal turn in the humanities, and intersections between these two emerging fields, challenging the usual medical approach by emphasizing that plants and fungi are not just ingredients for medicines—they are living beings with their own intelligence and importance. She will also join a panel to talk about mystical experiences.

CIIS Public Program

Leading CIIS professor and clinical psychologist Jason Butler joins Gisele Fernandes-Osterhold, psychotherapist and CPTR mentor, and Genesee Herzberg clinical psychologist, for a robust conversation that will examine the practice of psychedelic therapy and offer practical guidance for cultivating a highly effective, ethically grounded, and integral approach to psychedelic therapy.

CIIS Featured in The New York Times

How do you teach a form of therapy that remains largely illegal? "As psychedelics move from the underground to mainstream medicine, clinicians aspiring to work in the field are inducing altered states with deep breathing." The New York Times joins CPTR's esteemed Director, Dr. Janis Phelps, and other CIIS facilitators and student health care professionals completing the final step of the Certificate Program for a transformative holotropic breathwork workshop.

 

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About Psychedelics

About Psychedelics@CIIS

Psychedelics@CIIS is a hub for the University’s psychedelic offerings, including the renowned Center for Psychedelic Therapies and Research (CPTR), new academic offerings, community impact initiatives, and public education.

Scholars & Practitioners

The Psychedelics@CIIS community includes scholars, educators, facilitators, researchers, clinicians, and other professionals who are committed to the safe, legal, ethical, and culturally-informed psychedelic training, education, and research to promote health and healing, centered on trustworthiness and transparency, and committed to the transformative outcomes of the conditions being treated.

We’re looking for people interested in studying the science of what’s done and the therapeutic competencies in this field. We’re interested in people who want to be the forerunners, people who can push a new field forward, and consider themselves the possible future leaders in psychedelic-assisted therapies.”

Janis Phelps, Ph.D. Director, Center for Psychedelic Therapies and Research

Anyone who has a passion for psychedelics and for their capacity to create transformation and healing on an individual level, on a cultural, and social level, there is something for them in this program. We’re leading the way in undergraduate education. There’s nothing like this degree out there.”

Nick Walker, Ph.D. Professor, Psychology B.S. and Somatic Psychology MCP

The most important aspect of therapy is the relationship between the therapist and the client. That relationship is the thing that brings about healing.”

Rene Dumez, Ph.D. Department Chair and Assistant Professor, Clinical Psychology Psy.D.

Sponsors and Supporters

With appreciation for their generosity in supporting CIIS’ Center for Psychedelic Therapies and Research (CPTR) and other psychedelic offerings at CIIS.

Give in support of CPTR and Psychedelics@CIIS

Hefter Research Insitute logo
Limina Foundation logo
George Sarlo Foundation
Give, Steve and Alexandra Cohen Foundation
Threshold Foundation
Evolve Ventures Foundation logo
Carey and Claudia Turnbull (Turnbull Family Foundation) logo
Betsy Gordon (Betsy Gordon Foundation) logo
Dr. Wendy Feng (2016 Certificate Graduate) logo
Valerie Janssens (2020 Certificate Graduate)
Bill Meton and Meihong Xu logo
Ron Mis

Partnerships

Many renowned researchers and scholars have advised and supported the development of CPTR’s Psychedelic Training Certificate Program and other CIIS psychedelic offerings.

Hefter Research Insitute logo
Hefter Research Insitute logo
Hefter Research Insitute logo

Acknowledgments

CIIS is deeply grateful for the many contributors whose knowledge, wisdom, and dedication continues to shape the ongoing work, integrity, and safety of our psychedelic offerings. This includes members of faculty, staff, administrators, and senior leadership, as well as distinguished researchers, scholars, and other professionals in the field of psychedelics who have advised and supported the development of our work. Their tireless, consistently inspired, and wise counsel have helped to refine and scale the excellent programs we are delivering.