Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Colorado's Natural Medicine Health Act (Proposition 122), passed in 2022, established a regulated framework for psilocybin-assisted therapy. Services must be facilitated by licensed professionals at licensed healing centers, with comprehensive safety protocols. Psilocybin remains a Schedule I substance under federal law, though clinical research continues with FDA authorization.

As a natural medicine facilitator, I provide preparation, support during the psilocybin experience, and integration guidance afterward. I hold both a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) credential and a Natural Medicine Facilitator in Training (NMIT) license. Colorado's framework specifically created a "Clinical Facilitator" category for practitioners like me who bring behavioral health expertise into this work. My clinical training deeply informs my facilitation — they work together, not in isolation.

People come to this work for many reasons — navigating life transitions, processing grief or loss, living with advanced illness, seeking connection in later life, or feeling stuck after years of carrying difficult experiences. During our initial conversation, we'll explore whether this is the right path for you.

Psilocybin is not appropriate for everyone. Contraindications include a personal or family history of psychosis or schizophrenia, active suicidality, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and certain medications (particularly lithium, MAOIs, and some antipsychotics). A thorough screening process is part of every engagement.

The full engagement — including introductory call, preparation sessions, the administration session, and integration — is $3,000. This is a private-pay service; insurance does not currently cover psilocybin-assisted therapy. If cost is a concern, please reach out to discuss options.

From initial consultation through integration, the process typically spans 4-6 weeks. The administration session itself lasts 5-8 hours. Preparation involves two sessions of approximately 90 minutes each, and at least one integration session follows.

You'll arrive at a licensed healing center in the morning. After grounding exercises and confirming your intentions, you'll receive the psilocybin. You'll lie comfortably with eyeshades and headphones, listening to a curated music playlist. I remain present throughout the entire session — typically 5-8 hours. The session concludes when the effects have subsided and you feel ready, at which point your designated support person will take you home.

Safety is the foundation of everything I do. Before any administration session, we complete comprehensive health and mental health screenings, develop a safety plan, establish boundaries for physical touch, and create a transportation plan. During the session, I monitor your wellbeing continuously. Emergency medical protocols are in place, though serious adverse events are rare in properly screened, supervised settings.

Challenging moments can arise during psilocybin experiences — this is normal and can often be the most meaningful part of the journey. My clinical training and years of experience in palliative care mean I'm prepared to support you through whatever arises. Grounding techniques, breathwork, and simply being a calm, steady presence are core to my facilitation approach.

Certain medications can interact with psilocybin or alter the experience. During the screening process, we review your complete medication list. Some medications (particularly SSRIs, MAOIs, lithium, and certain antipsychotics) may need to be discussed with your prescribing physician. If needed, I can connect you with a medical professional for a pharmacological review.

During our preparation sessions, we'll discuss this in detail. General guidance includes minimizing stress in the days before, eating lighter foods, maintaining a contemplative practice, being well-rested, limiting alcohol and media, and setting a clear intention. You'll bring personal comfort items to the session space.

Honestly, the most helpful thing you can do is hold your expectations lightly. Every person's experience is different, and even the same person can have a very different experience each time. We'll set intentions together during preparation — but I encourage people to treat those as gentle inquiries rather than fixed goals. Sometimes the most meaningful insights come from places you didn't expect. My job is to help you stay open to whatever emerges.

During a psilocybin session, there may be moments when a simple, grounding touch — like a hand on the shoulder or holding a hand — can be deeply reassuring. But this is never assumed. Before the session, we discuss touch boundaries in detail and complete a written touch agreement. You choose what feels right for you: some people welcome touch as an anchor during intense moments, others prefer none at all. Your boundaries are respected completely, and you can change your mind at any time during the session.

No. I don't watch the clock, and neither should you. The session takes as long as it takes — typically between 5 and 8 hours, but there is no pressure to wrap up. You stay until you feel ready, until the experience has naturally come to a close and you feel grounded and cared for. I am there for the entire duration. This is not a 50-minute therapy hour. It's your day, and we honor that fully.

The session itself is just one part of the process. In the days and weeks afterward, you may continue to notice shifts in how you see things — new clarity, changed perspectives, emotions surfacing that want attention. This is normal and healthy. Not all insights come during the session; some of the most meaningful realizations arrive quietly afterward. Integration sessions give you a space to process what's emerging, and I remain available for check-ins as you settle into whatever has changed.

I want to be honest about this: psilocybin-assisted therapy is not a cure for any condition. It is not a replacement for mental health treatment, medication, or medical care. What it can offer is an opportunity — a window into yourself that may shift your relationship with what you're carrying. Some people experience profound relief; others gain subtle but meaningful perspective. I never promise specific outcomes, because every person's experience is genuinely different. What I can promise is that you will be held with care and clinical attention throughout the entire process.