The University of Colorado Denver (CU Denver) is gearing up to pioneer Colorado’s first and only public university-based psychedelic facilitator training program, a groundbreaking initiative designed to combine academic rigor with transparency in the rapidly evolving realm of mental health care.
The program is state-approved and lasts 16 weeks, offering a hybrid learning experience that equips future facilitators with the necessary tools to ethically and legally guide psychedelic-assisted experiences.
CU Denver’s curriculum is firmly rooted in scientific principles and emphasizes a commitment to understanding and serving individuals from all backgrounds, ensuring public accountability.
This initiative comes as Colorado’s Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) has approved the program, aligning it with the state’s newly established psychedelic licensure framework, which is seen as critical for mental health providers and community organizations eager to explore psychedelic therapy as a viable treatment for conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.
Vivian Shyu, PhD, the director of education and training at CU Denver’s Center for Psychedelic Research, states, “This program prepares facilitators to provide psychedelic care safely, responsibly, and with compassion. We’re helping to set the ethical and professional foundation for a field that’s still taking shape—and getting it right matters.”
The program enables trainees to cultivate a multidisciplinary understanding of psychedelics while honing three fundamental skills crucial for effective facilitation.
First, the Ethical Integrity training underscores client safety, cultural humility, informed consent, and respect for boundaries, emphasizing situations where facilitation may not be appropriate.
Second, the Psychadelic Expertise component develops a comprehensive understanding of psychedelics through lenses of history, culture, law, and therapeutic contexts, all vital for building trust and ensuring safety during psychedelic-assisted experiences.
Lastly, the Embodied Presence segment focuses on nurturing self-awareness, emotional regulation, resilience, and maintaining a grounded state during intense client interactions, equipping facilitators to better manage the nuanced dynamics of therapy.
CU Denver’s program stands out as a pivotal public-sector initiative in a field that has largely been dominated by private organizations until now.
As Colorado implements a regulated model that includes licensure, affordable facilitator programs, and structured healing centers, CU Denver plays a significant role in defining best practices on a national scale.
The university is committed to ensuring that the introduction of psychedelic therapy to the public is conducted responsibly and safely.
Dr. Vivian Shyu, an expert in cognitive psychology and neuroscience, leads this ambitious educational endeavor with a focus on advancing the science behind psychedelic therapies. Shyu’s research particularly examines patterns of psychedelic drug use alongside legislative changes relevant to this area.
As a trained psychedelic-assisted therapy facilitator, she actively contributes to the evolving landscape of this therapeutic approach. Driven by a passion for enhancing the accessibility and effectiveness of psychedelic therapies, Shyu aims to create comprehensive training programs tailored for various types of facilitators.
These programs are designed to provide robust professional preparation, ensuring facilitators are well-equipped with the essential knowledge and skills necessary for their roles.
Through her leadership, Dr. Shyu strives to establish secure and accessible pathways for the benefits of psychedelic therapies to reach diverse communities.
CU Denver, recognized as the state’s premier public urban research university, is renowned for innovative teaching and research initiatives. With over 100 high-demand degree programs, the university attracts a wide range of learners seeking transformative educational experiences.
As part of the largest university system in Colorado, CU Denver continues to make substantial contributions to both education and the economy, supporting community growth through academic resilience and progressive practices.
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