What are licensed psilocybin facilitation services in Oregon?
In my first blog post, I alluded to some of the challenges associated with the Oregon psilocybin services framework. Oregon is doing something novel to help make psilocybin services more accessible to the public. They are hoping this can be accomplished, in part, by offering psilocybin services outside of medical and mental health settings. Instead, psilocybin services are offered at licensed service centers in Oregon that must comply with Oregon Health Authority (OHA) standards. A service center representative, not a medical professional, administers a psilocybin product to a client, and a licensed facilitator, not a therapist, sits with the client after they have ingested psilocybin. A potential strength of this framework is that it opens the door to clients wishing to receive services in a non-medical setting. It also provides greater opportunity for licensed facilitators to be non-therapists. That is, the training requirements to become a licensed facilitator are quite minimal. Oregon facilitators must attend an OHA-approved psilocybin training program that includes 120 hours of training and a 40-hour practicum.
Thus, it is critical for facilitators and clients alike to be familiar with Oregon’s psilocybin services rules. Psilocybin services are not therapy or counseling. A critical component of any licensed therapy in Oregon (working with a social worker, counselor, or psychologist) includes the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of mental health conditions. So, while you may want to address a mental health-related issue using psilocybin, the licensed facilitator you work with can’t diagnose you or claim that they are treating a diagnosis you may happen to have.
As we grow here at Quest Therapeutics, our licensed facilitators will always have advanced degrees in a mental health field. While our scope of practice is limited to psilocybin services at Quest, we believe our training and experience as mental health-informed professionals is critical in providing you with a safe, non-directive approach. We emphasize harm reduction in all aspects of our services, which means that we aim to minimize the risks associated with psilocybin use. We spend considerable time getting to know you and identifying possible risk factors to enhance your safety. We help you develop an intention for your experience and support you in managing realistic expectations throughout.
It's essential to recognize that our psilocybin facilitation services are not intended as a substitute for mental health therapy. If you have mental health concerns or are seeking diagnosis and treatment for a specific condition, we recommend consulting a licensed mental health professional. We are here to provide a unique and supportive environment for your psilocybin experiences, but we encourage you to prioritize your mental health needs by seeking appropriate therapy or counseling services when necessary.
Please be in touch if you have questions or if you would like to learn more about our approach. We look forward to serving you on your journey towards personal growth and well-being!
In wellness,
Ryan
