What Services Do Different Types of Psychedelic Professionals Provide?
- Coach Katie
- Jul 31
- 4 min read
As interest in psychedelic healing grows, so does the number of professionals offering support before, during and after a psychedelic experience. Whether you’re considering a guided psychedelic journey, therapeutic session, psychedelic retreat or integration program, it’s important to understand the different roles these professionals play.
Here’s a breakdown of the key types of psychedelic professionals, what they do, and how they can support you on your journey.
1. Psychedelic Integration Coaches
Who They Are:
Integration coaches help people prepare for psychedelic journeys, make sense of the experience and apply these insights to daily life. They don't administer psychedelics, but they provide support before and after a journey and may offer trip sitting services.
What They Do:
Help prepare for, process and integrate psychedelic experiences
Act as referral sources for other psychedelic professionals
Create personalized integration tools like workbooks, journal prompts, meditations, and self-reflection exercises
Provide ongoing guidance for personal growth, transformation and future psychedelic experiences through custom mindset work
Best For:
Anyone who is planning (or has already had) a psychedelic experience
People who want to integrate psychedelic insights into their day-to-day life, for long-term success and real change
People who need emotional or psychological support leading up to or following a journey
Considerations:
Not all integration coaches have formal training, so look for reputable, credentialed professionals
Integration work is ongoing and requires personal commitment
Your journey doesn't stop after the psychedelic effects wear off, and integration can help you make the most of your experience in the long-term
2. Psychedelic Guides
Who They Are:
Psychedelic guides offer one-on-one or small-group support during psychedelic experiences. They may have formal training in harm reduction or counseling, but they aren't necessarily therapists or licensed medical professionals.
What They Do:
Provide a safe, supportive presence during the journey
Help with preparation and intention-setting and integration (sometimes they partner with an integration coach for these services)
May use techniques like music, breathwork, or meditation to guide the experience
Typically work in decriminalized areas or private settings
Best For:
Someone seeking a personalized, non-clinical psychedelic experience
People who want support without a strict therapeutic framework, who appreciate the real-life experience (versus educational theory) of the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics
Considerations:
Training and experience vary widely, so vet your guide carefully (We work with several guides and can recommend options to you during a Psychedelic Curiosity Consult.)
Not regulated in most places, so legal protection is limited
3. Psychedelic Licensed Facilitators
Who They Are:
Facilitators are trained professionals who guide legal psychedelic experiences in structured, legal settings, including Colorado and Oregon’s licensed psilocybin service centers or clinical trials.
What They Do:
Administer psychedelics in a legal, controlled environment
Offer emotional and psychological support during the experience
Ensure safety protocols are followed
Often work alongside medical or therapeutic professionals
Best For:
Individuals seeking a legal, structured psychedelic experience
Those who want a professional but non-traditional therapy setting
Considerations:
Much more expensive than informal guided sessions
Limited availability in regions with legal psychedelic services (like Colorado and Oregon)
4. Shamans and Indigenous Healers
Who They Are:
Shamans and traditional healers come from indigenous lineages with deep-rooted spiritual and ceremonial practices involving psychedelic plant medicines like ayahuasca, mescaline and iboga.
What They Do:
Lead sacred ceremonies, often with chanting, music, and ritual practices
Work with plant spirits and energetic healing traditions
Provide guidance on physical, emotional, and spiritual healing
Best For:
Those looking for a deeply spiritual, ancestral approach to psychedelics
People who are open to indigenous wisdom and ceremonial practices
Considerations:
Some self-proclaimed shamans lack traditional training, do thorough research
Cultural respect and ethical participation in indigenous ceremonies are important
5. Psychedelic Retreat Leaders
Who They Are:
Retreat leaders organize multi-day or multi-week psychedelic retreats in legal or decriminalized locations. These retreats may be led by therapists, facilitators, shamans, or a combination of professionals.
What They Do:
Create a structured, immersive environment for psychedelic experiences
Provide group ceremonies, workshops, and integration activities
Offer support from multiple facilitators, therapists, or shamans
Best For:
Those looking for a community-based experience
People who want a structured container for deep healing and transformation
Considerations:
Quality and safety vary by retreat, so research is essential
Group settings may not be ideal for everyone
6. Psychedelic Therapists
Who They Are:
Psychedelic therapists are licensed mental health professionals trained in psychedelic-assisted therapy. They work in legal clinical settings (like MDMA-assisted therapy trials or KAP: ketamine-assisted psychotherapy) or offer integration support.
What They Do:
Guide patients through psychedelic-assisted therapy (in legal settings)
Provide trauma-informed care and psychotherapy before, during, and after the experience
Work within structured medical and therapeutic frameworks
Best For:
Individuals with PTSD, depression, or anxiety seeking clinical psychedelic therapy
Those who want licensed, evidence-based mental health support
Considerations:
Currently limited to clinical trials, ketamine therapy, and legal psilocybin therapy in Colorado and Oregon
More expensive than other options due to clinical oversight
Which Psychedelic Professional is Right for You?
The best type of support depends on your goals, comfort level, and the legal options available to you.
If you want a safe, guided experience without therapy: A psychedelic guide may be best.
If you want a legal, structured experience: Consider a psychedelic facilitator or retreat leader.
If you're looking for a spiritual or ancestral approach: A shaman or indigenous healer is a good fit.
If you need help making sense of your experience: Work with a psychedelic integration coach.
If you have a mental health condition and need clinical support: A psychedelic therapist is ideal.
No matter which path you choose, research, preparation, and integration are essential. We'd love to explore the options with you. Book a Psychedelic Curiosity Consult to get started.
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