Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: Essential Knowledge for a Rapidly Changing Landscape
November 14, 2025 | 9:00am-12:15pm (Pacific Time)
w/ Jason Luoma, Ph.D. and Brian Pilecki, Ph.D.
About The Workshop
Psychedelic-assisted therapy is showing promise as a highly effective form of treatment that appears poised to become a major new form of mental health care. This workshop will provide health care professionals with an overview of this new clinical area. The basic model of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy will be explained with an emphasis on highlighting the importance of preparation and integration in obtaining therapeutic benefits from a psychedelic experience. Next, recent developments in research will be summarized including what conditions psychedelic-assisted therapy has the most evidence for and some of the leading scientific theories as to how psychedelics exert their therapeutic effects such as by increasing positive functioning, meaning, self-transcendence, psychological flexibility, interpersonal engagement, and increased fulfillment. The current legal status of psychedelics will be reviewed, including a summary of psilocybin services in Oregon. Diversity and equity issues will be reviewed including lack of access for underserved and non-majority populations and the risks of cultural appropriation involved in modern psychedelic science. We will also provide recommendations on obtaining further training for those who want to learn more. This workshop will help clinicians understand the current state of psychedelic science, as well as to have more informed conversations with clients about psychedelics and their potential risks and benefits, legal status, and timeline for public accessibility.
Meet Your Instructors
Jason Luoma, Ph.D.
Dr. Jason Luoma is CEO of Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, & Training Center and Director of Research at the Portland Institute for Psychedelic Science (pipsinstitute.com). He also serves as Associate Scientist at Oregon Research Institute and affiliate faculty at Oregon Health & Science University. His research focuses on shame, self-stigma, and human connection, particularly using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and psychedelic-assisted therapy to foster greater self-compassion and belonging. Dr. Luoma was principal investigator on a clinical trial on MDMA-assisted therapy for social anxiety disorder and is starting a trial of psilocybin-assisted therapy for chronic pelvic pain. He also co-founded the Oregon Psychedelic Evaluation Nexus (OPEN; openpsychedelicscience.org) to study Oregon's psilocybin services. An internationally recognized ACT trainer and past president of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science, he has authored over 80 scientific publications and co-written two books: Learning Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Values in Therapy.
Brian Pilecki, Ph.D.
Dr. Brian Pilecki is a clinical psychologist at Portland Psychotherapy that specializes in the treatment of anxiety disorders, trauma and PTSD, and psychedelic-assisted therapy. At Portland Psychotherapy, Brian is an active researcher and a study therapist on several clinical trials including the investigation of the use of MDMA-assisted therapy for the treatment of social anxiety disorder. Brian is also an instructor for Fluence, a leading psychedelic training organization where he provides training to psilocybin facilitators in Oregon or to study therapists in clinical trials across the country. He is founder of Entropia and provides psilocybin facilitation to individuals and groups in the state of Oregon, and is co-founder of Perspective Retreats which offers group psilocybin retreats in the Netherlands. Brian is a co-founder of Portland Integration Network, a network of professionals offering specialized care related to psychedelics in Oregon. He is also the author of the book ACT-Informed Exposure for Anxiety and co-host of Altered States of Context, a podcast about psychotherapy and psychedelics.
AUDIENCE
The workshop is aimed at health care professionals who are new to psychedelic assisted psychotherapy, as well as those interested in an up-to-date review of the current legal, research, and clinical developments related to psychedelics.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After attending this training, participants will be able to:
- Participants will be able to describe the theory and practice of psychedelic assisted psychotherapy.
- Participants will be able to summarize research findings and current legal status of psychedelic assisted psychotherapy.
- Participants will be able to describe the role of psychotherapy in preparation for and integration of psychedelic experiences.
REGISTRATION
Registration is online. Presentations will be recorded and sent to anyone who registers for the event.
SCHOLARSHIPS
We reserve a number of partial scholarships for potential attendees who could not otherwise afford to come. We give particular priority given to those who would add diverse and under represented voices to our field. To submit an application, please click here.
CE CREDITS
Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research & Training Center is approved by the American Psychological Association (APA) to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research & Training Center maintains responsibility for all programs and content.
This workshop grants 3 CE credits for therapists with the purchase of Professionals with CE Certificate ticket and live attendance of the entire workshop. Credit will not be given for only watching the recording.
REFUNDS/CANCELLATIONS: We charge a $15 administration fee for cancellations made by participants more than two weeks before the training event. For cancellations within two weeks of the training event, we will refund 50% of the tuition. Alternately, participants may elect to apply 100% of their tuition to a future training event. No refunds will be given after training events.
SPECIAL ACCOMODATIONS: Please contact us if you need accommodations to enable you to fully participate in the workshop. We will work with you and do our best to find a way to ensure your participation.
