Certificate of Psychedelic and Contemplative Therapies (CPACT)

BIYOME has collaborated with The Signs of Life Psychology to offer a Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (PAT) training course that is crafted in alignment with emerging Australian standards.

As dedicated course providers, we adhere to current Australian guidelines, ensuring a commitment to the safe, ethical, and efficacious integration of psychedelic-assisted therapy. The course was formed in response to the rescheduling of MDMA and psilocybin as a peak multidisciplinary body for psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) in Australia. Australia is in the process of establishing national standards for Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy (PAP) credentialing. BIYOME and The Signs of Life Psychology will continue to offer professional development and ongoing learning options to ensure our course keeps up to date with requirements.

Our extensive course not only meets the emerging Australian standards but also plays a proactive role in meeting the increasing training demand for authorised prescribers of psychedelic-assisted therapy. BIYOME is utilising the most up-to-date research, clinical and community practice regarding what fundamental education for PAT administrators, therapists, and facilitators involves.

Our mission is grounded in the safe integration of psychedelic-assisted therapy into mental health care to alleviate persistent mental health challenges. These challenges not only impose significant financial burdens on the healthcare system but also deeply impact individuals and their families throughout their lives.

In both Australia and on a global scale, there is a dynamic and expanding body of research in the field of psychedelic science. The potential of psychedelic therapy is particularly promising in addressing chronic conditions that affect a large segment of the population and could serve to alleviate the strain on healthcare resources.

As of July 1, 2023, authorised psychiatrists in Australia can legally access products containing 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) for the treatment of traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression. This decision reflects research showing MDMA has demonstrated efficacy in addressing post-traumatic stress disorder, while psilocybin shows promise in treating individuals with treatment-resistant depression.

Moreover, ongoing studies are delving into the capacity of MDMA and psilocybin to address recovery from addiction and psilocybin to assist in the treatment of pain disorders, eating disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. These newer investigations continue to expand, offering promising avenues for expanding the therapeutic applications of psychedelics, reinforcing their potential to bring about transformative changes in mental health and overall well-being.

Join us in shaping the future of mental health through accredited education and responsible practice.

Upon successfully completing this course and meeting the necessary skill prerequisites, you will acquire the proficiency to provide Psychedelic Assisted Therapy within the parameters of current regulatory government guidelines, fulfilling the roles of a Psychedelic Prescriber (PP), Psychedelic-Assisted Therapist (PAT), or Psychedelic Facilitator (PF). 

This Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy training equips individuals with a comprehensive skill set, including a deep understanding of the history of early psychedelic research and the contemporary resurgence in the ‘Psychedelic Renaissance.’ The curriculum explores Indigenous wisdom, providing insights into the historical use of plant medicines across Indigenous traditions worldwide. Practitioners will develop a foundational understanding of the pharmacology of psychedelics, neuroscience, and their mechanisms of action, coupled with the crucial skill of engaging in appropriate medical screening within a trauma-informed care framework. The training emphasises ethical considerations relevant to psychedelic facilitation, awareness of related laws and guidelines, and a focus on safety and risk mitigation.

Participants will master the intricacies of preparation and integration, covering medical assessment, clinical intake, intention setting, and managing expectations, with a specialised emphasis on somatic and trauma-focused approaches. The curriculum also encompasses harm reduction, spiritual emergence, and existential themes. Practitioners will develop space-holding skills, including characteristics of a facilitator, non-directiveness, attunement, and adept responses to challenging experiences. The program delves into the nuances of the therapeutic relationship, addressing topics such as managing boundaries, transference, countertransference, and self-care. Our program empowers you to walk away with a robust skill set, confidently navigating the complexities of psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Additionally, BIYOME’s Yoga Teacher Training courses offer a unique professional development avenue, allowing you to upgrade your current yoga teaching or therapy qualification with Yoga Australia by 200 hours.

Upon graduation, certification with BIYOME provides the opportunity to apply to register with both AMAPP and Yoga Australia, given completion of a minimum of 200 or 350 hours of core yoga teacher training skills.

DISCLAIMER: All applicants still need to undergo an individual accreditation process with AMAPP and are encouraged to reach out to AMAPP for any further questions about their individual learning context.

The field of psychedelics science and education is a new and emerging field. Participation in psychedelic medicine work in the legal community context with MDMA and Psilocybin is always dependent upon TGA and HREC protocol approvals and legislation requirements.

This course allows the following Pathways to Accreditation to become a legally practising accredited PAT therapist:

• Psychedelic Prescriber (PP),
• Psychedelic-Assisted Therapist (PAT), or
• Psychedelic Facilitator (PF).

It is currently a suitable pathway for registered Psychiatrists, Psychotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Counsellors, Social Workers, Naturopaths, Paramedics, Indigenous practitioners, Nurses, Physiotherapists, Mental Health Workers and Allied Health Professionals.

Mental health professionals or those who have demonstrated skills in this field and complete this course may be eligible to be psychedelic facilitator as part of a multidisciplinary team.

For full accreditation as a Psychedelic Therapist, you must have eligibility for registration with a governing body such as:

• Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA)
• Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
• Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA)
• Australian Counselling Association (ACA)
• Indigenous Allied Health Australia (IAHA)

What you will experience

200hr Course Delivery over twelve (12) months:

• Blended learning approach with both online and in-person components.
• 65 per cent face-to-face contact and 35 per cent online learning.
• Face-to-face learning – 130 hours.
• 4 x 50 hr Modules 4 days each module & 16 days in-person training (2 essential PAT modules and 2 complementary therapies electives)
• Expert-led lectures and practical demonstrations, experiential clinical skills, somatic integration work, trauma-informed compassion-focused mindfulness training – 112 hours
• Livestream Events with Foundational & Guest Lecturers - 18 hours of PAT specific livestream lectures, including a formal welcome seminar, screening, guest speakers.
• Clinical case studies
• Dosing and supervision*

What you will learn

The course is structured to cover key areas relevant to Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy & Complementary Therapies. You will receive a Certificate of Psychedelic and Contemplative Therapies (CPACT). Read more https://biyome.com.au/course-pages/200pat/ 

Introduction to Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

• Overview of PAT principles and historical context.
• Exploration of TGA regulations and recent decisions impacting PAT in Australia.
• Trauma-Informed Approach to psychedelic therapy.

History and Foundations

• Dive into the medicinal history of psychedelics.
• Explore the role of plant medicine in Indigenous traditions.
• Understanding cultural significance.

Consciousness, Buddhist and Yogic Connection

• Uncover the nexus of psychedelics, consciousness, and ego death.
• Explore intersections with yoga, Kundalini awakening, and related themes.
• Delve into the science of consciousness and the use of psychedelics in research.

Psychoactive Substances

• In-depth knowledge of commonly used psychedelic substances.
• Understanding dosage, effects, and contraindications.
• Exploration of Psilocybin, MDMA, DMT, Ketamine, and Cannabis with a focus on evidence-based research.

Client Assessment and Suitability

• Techniques for pre-screening and assessing client suitability for PAT.
• Identifying potential risks and contraindications.

Clinical Skills Training for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

• Practical training in administering PAT sessions.
• Techniques for ensuring a safe and supportive therapeutic and trauma-informed environment.
• Effective preparation, adaptive facilitation, and post-session guidance.

Complementary Therapeutic Modalities

• Somatically focused therapies such as Trauma-Informed Yoga, Compassion-Focused Yoga Therapy, and Meditation.
• Trauma-Informed Meditation and Mindfulness-based approaches.
• Trauma-informed therapies that recognise the multiplicity of the psyche such as EMDR, Internal Family Systems, Structural Dissociation, Ego State Therapy, Resource Therapy, Clinical Hypnosis, Gestalt Therapy, Jungian Depth Psychology, Psychodynamic Psychotherapy, Schema Therapy, Transpersonal Psychology, Voice Dialogue.

Ethics and Legal Framework

• Detailed exploration of ethical considerations in PAT.
• Review of legal frameworks and recent decisions impacting the practice.

Professional Development and Integration

• Strategies for ongoing professional growth in the field.
• Best practices for integrating PAT into existing therapeutic modalities, including somatic therapies such as trauma-informed yoga, somatic experiencing, compassion-focused therapy, lifestyle medicine, creative arts, embodiment practices, trauma-informed meditation, and mindfulness.
• Nature-based therapy and indigenous philosophies and indigenous competency for psychedelic-assisted therapy.
• Explore current issues in the psychedelic space that impact accessibility and cultural safety of psychedelic-assisted therapy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and culturally informed models of care and practice that incorporate Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing, and how IPAT can support your practice.
• How to integrate psychedelics into your current business model.

CPD hours

200