Yes, you can, there are also no residency requirements for facilitator licenses in Colorado. The regulations do not specifically prohibit non-U.S. citizens from applying, but you must meet all other licensure requirements.

Yes, the Synthesis Psychedelic Practitioner Core training meets the needs of the 150 hours of didactic training as required by the Natural Medicines Act. You will still need to complete the required Practicum, Consultation, and Colorado Module, which will all be offered by Synthesis. 

Unlike Oregon, fortunately, the statute provides protections for professional licenses holders, noting that they cannot lose their license for engaging in acts under the Natural Medicine Health Act. If professionals violate their standards of care or commit malpractice, they could still face consequences. While the statute offers protection, it’s not entirely cut and dry.

 

As a licensed professional (MD, MFT, etc), if you pursue the Clinical Facilitator licensure, you would be authorized to provide natural medicine services to treat physical or behavioral/mental health conditions. This practice would be within the scope of your medical license, and you would be expected to follow the same standards as in your medical practice. However, you must ensure that participating in natural medicine facilitation does not conflict with your DEA license or other medical licenses. The practice of facilitation is considered separate from the practice of medicine, but it is closely related and could impact your medical responsibilities depending on your specific situation.

The applicant must already hold an active and valid license in one of the following professions:

• Psychologist (PSY)

• Licensed Social Worker (LSW)

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)

• Marriage and Family Therapist (MFT)

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)

• Licensed Addiction Counselor (LAC)

• Medical Doctor (MD)

• Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO)

• Advanced Practice Nurse (APN), including Nurse Practitioner (NP)

• Physician Assistant (PA)

The key differences between a Clinical Facilitator and a Facilitator in Colorado's natural medicine licensure system are based on the scope of practice, qualifications, and the type of participants they can work with:

Facilitator:

1. Scope of Practice: A Facilitator is authorized to provide natural medicine services to participants whose safety screenings do not indicate medical or psychological risks that require further intervention. They are restricted from treating participants with more complex medical or psychological conditions unless there is medical clearance from a licensed healthcare provider.
   
   
2. Qualifications: Facilitators do not need to hold a medical or behavioral health license, but they must complete an approved facilitator training program and meet general licensing requirements, such as proof of Basic Life Support certification. They cannot practice medicine or psychotherapy independently and must refer participants to a medical or behavioral health provider when risk factors are identified during safety screenings.
   
   
3. Limitations: Facilitators may not work with participants taking certain medications (e.g., lithium or antipsychotics) unless there is clearance from a licensed medical provider. They must refer participants to appropriate professionals if the safety screen identifies risks.

 

Clinical Facilitator:

1. Scope of Practice: A Clinical Facilitator is licensed to provide natural medicine services and has the authority to work with participants with more complex medical or psychological needs. They can independently provide services to participants who have risk factors identified in their safety screening, including those on certain medications, without needing additional medical clearance.
   
   
2. Qualifications: Clinical Facilitators must hold a secondary medical or behavioral health license (e.g., MD, DO, NP, LPC, LCSW), which allows them to diagnose and treat medical or psychological conditions. They must also complete the same Natural Medicine Facilitator training program required for regular Facilitators.
   
   
3. Additional Responsibilities: Clinical Facilitators have broader responsibilities in managing participants' health conditions and integrating natural medicine services with medical or psychological care.

No, this is not a dispensary model. There will be no retail sales of psilocybin mushrooms. Instead, it is a therapeutic model that mandates supervised sessions with a licensed facilitator.

No, there is no requirement for a diagnosis or prescription to access psilocybin in this model. Anyone aged 21 and older can access psilocybin through the program without proving a mental health condition. However, the model is geared toward those seeking support for mental health, physical health, or pain conditions.

Colorado allows more flexibility than Oregon in where psilocybin sessions can be held. Sessions can occur at licensed Healing Centers, healthcare facilities, or even at participants' homes. If the session takes place at a home, either two facilitators must be present, or the session must be recorded to ensure safety.

 

Similar to Oregon, Colorado’s model allows for sessions to take place either indoors or outdoors, with the option for both individual and group facilitation sessions.

A Healing Center is a licensed space that can store natural medicine, including psilocybin mushrooms, and host facilitated sessions. When not being used for psilocybin sessions, these spaces can also be used for other purposes such as therapy, yoga, or meditation. Some restrictions, like the requirement for participants to be over 21, do not apply when psilocybin is not being administered.