Oregon’s Emerging Psilocybin Services Workforce: A Survey of the First Legal Psilocybin Facilitators and Their Training Programs

Luoma et al. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2024

A recent study titled “Oregon’s Emerging Psilocybin Services Workforce: A Survey of the First Legal Psilocybin Facilitators and Their Training Programs” provides insights into the early stages of Oregon’s legal psilocybin services. Researchers examined state-approved training programs and surveyed individuals who completed or were enrolled in these programs between July and November 2023.

Key Findings:

• Training Programs: Oregon had 16 active psilocybin facilitator training programs with an average tuition of $9,359. Approximately half of these programs offered diversity scholarships to support underrepresented groups.

• Facilitator Demographics: The surveyed facilitators (106 participants) were relatively diverse, with many holding existing healthcare licenses. Despite their backgrounds, most reported that training expenses imposed a moderate-to-severe financial strain

• Satisfaction and Specializations: The majority of facilitators expressed satisfaction with their training. They planned to charge an average of $1,388 per psilocybin session. Common areas of specialization included trauma, mental health disorders, consciousness exploration, and spirituality.​

• Ongoing Training Needs: Facilitators highlighted the need for continuous training opportunities to enhance their skills and effectiveness.

In summary, Oregon’s psilocybin facilitator workforce and training programs are in their infancy. The study’s findings are crucial for shaping future policies and developing training programs that support a diverse and competent workforce in this emerging field