Course Schedule and Structure

Course Structure

This course incorporates various delivery methods in order to provide you with some key theoretical fundamentals for psychedelic therapy and psychedelic-assisted therapy, using an evidence-based approach and best practices that will promote your learning retention and engagement. We aim to provide you with sufficient opportunities to practice relevant skills that will help you on your journey to becoming more skilled in your role.

Online Content

In the online content, there is text for you to read, videos for you to watch, podcasts for you to listen to, and small activities for you to complete to practice your skills and check your understanding. Each module takes 30 minutes to 3 hours.

Assessments

Throughout the course, there will be various assessments to evaluate your knowledge, skills, and competencies that you have gained from the course. On the upcoming Assessment Overview page, you will learn about the course assessments and what you’ll need to successfully complete them.

Discussions with Flip

Prior to joining Flip, please read more about this third-party platform in the Welcome to Numi-U module.

  1. Select the join classroom button at the bottom of this section

  2. Create a new account or login with Microsoft, Google, or Apple

  3. Select Introduce Yourself and record a quick introduction of yourself, your experience, and your motivation for taking the course.

Course Schedule

Before we dive into the course content, take a look at the course schedule to give yourself an idea of what is expected of you each module.

Please ensure that you read through all items before proceeding by selecting each title.

Topics

  • Introduction to the course

  • Overview of psychedelic-assisted therapy and how it differs from psychedelic therapy

  • Brief history of psychedelic medicines

  • Introduction to the Numinus care model

Learning Outcomes

  • Justify the prioritization of integrative and transformative mental wellness within the context of psychedelic therapy and psychedelic-assisted therapy by contrasting it with conventional mental health treatment approaches.

  • Describe the seven guiding principles of psychedelic therapy and psychedelic-assisted therapy which include embodiment, mindfulness, trauma- and violence-informed care, justice, equity, dignity, and inclusion (JEDI), Indigenous cultural safety and humility, harm reduction, and connection for the purposes of applying these to the delivery of care.

  • Describe the mission, vision, and values of Numinus.

  • Describe ethical considerations for psychedelic therapy and psychedelic-assisted therapy that create unique vulnerabilities for persons seeking care.

  • Differentiate the therapeutic outcomes of the psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine from a high-level.

  • Briefly explain the structure of psychedelic-assisted therapy and how it differs from psychedelic therapy.

  • Explain the impact that The Controlled Drug and Substances Act (Canada) and The Controlled Substances Act (United States) had and continue to have on psychedelic research and drug policy.

Assessments Due

  • Module 1 Knowledge Check

Topics

  • The therapeutic stance

  • Attachment theory

  • Relationship-centered care

Learning Outcomes

  • Display and embody a common understanding and language around the Numinus therapeutic stance.

  • Explain the role health professionals play in the dynamic of creating a safe and supportive space during psychedelic therapy and psychedelic-assisted therapy.

  • Define and list challenges and strategies for working safely within the enhanced intimacy of psychedelic therapy and psychedelic-assisted therapy and upholding appropriate boundaries.

  • Identify a client’s attachment style in order to best strengthen the therapeutic relationship.

Assessments Due

  • Module 2 Knowledge Check

  • Mission and Intention Setting

Topics

  • Trauma and trauma psychobiology

  • Polyvagal theory

  • Self regulation

  • Motivational enhancement

Learning Outcomes

  • Incorporate an understanding of the autonomic nervous system as it applies to trauma case conceptualization and the delivery of care.

  • Differentiate between PTSD and other types of trauma.

  • Describe and apply trauma-specific skills.

  • Identify the framework and spectrum of structural dissociation from primary to tertiary.

  • Explain polyvagal theory and self-regulation as they relate to trauma.

  • Differentiate between trauma therapy and other types of therapy.

Assessments Due

  • Module 3 Knowledge Check

Topics

  • Talking during the period of peak effect

  • Utilizing music during Medicine Sessions

  • Responding to challenging therapist-client interactions

Learning Outcomes

  • Employ appropriate responses to specific clients’ behaviours and circumstances, such as psychological distress, avoidance, physical reactions.

  • Manage the arc of the Medicine Session including logistics prior to ingestion, reviewing appropriate boundaries, the ritual or administering the medicine, what to expect during the session, closing the session, and following up.

  • Describe how to work skillfully with music during the Medicine Session.

Assessments Due

  • Module 4 Knowledge Check

  • Reflection 1 Assignment

Topics

  • Burnout and vicarious trauma

  • Health professional self-care

  • Prolonged session duration

  • Increased intimacy

Learning Outcomes

  • Practice self-care techniques in order to avoid burnout, trauma, or fatigue.

  • Identify opportunities for personal development.

  • Respond to countertransference with appropriate strategies to avoid harming the client-health professional relationship while prioritizing the client care and self-care.

Assessments Due

  • Module 5 Knowledge Check

Topics

  • Trauma psychobiology

  • Neurotransmitters

  • Neuroplasticity

  • Pharmacodynamics

  • Pharmacokinetics

  • Traditional mental health pharmacotherapy

  • Comparing psychedelic medicines and properties

Learning Outcomes

  • Describe the role of neurotransmitters in the body and brain.

  • Explain the difference between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.

  • Explain the general mechanism of action of traditional pharmacopsychotherapy.

  • Define the various categories of psychotropic substances within the context of psychedelic therapy and psychedelic-assisted therapy.

  • Distinguish between an effect and a side effect for the purposes of client education.

  • Compare the differences and similarities between psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine for the purposes of psychedelic therapy and psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Assessments Due

  • Module 6 Knowledge Check

Topics

  • Molecular structure of the medicine(s)

  • History of the medicine(s)

  • Legal status of the medicine(s)

Learning Outcomes

  • Describe the molecular structure of ketamine.

  • Describe the subjective and physiological effects and side effects of ketamine according to different dose ranges as they relate to psychedelic therapy and psychedelic-assisted therapy.

  • Explain the primary effects and mechanisms of action of ketamine on the brain, including connectivity in the brain and activation of serotonin receptors.

  • List key historical events that led to the usage of ketamine in psychedelic therapy and psychedelic-assisted therapy.

  • Identify the current legal status of ketamine in Canada and the United States.

  • Discuss the need to uphold cultural safety and humility within an Indigenous context.

Assessments Due

  • Module 7 Knowledge Check

Topics

  • Indications treated with the medicine(s)

  • Key studies on psychedelic therapy and psychedelic-assisted therapy

  • Anesthetic vs psychedelic vs psycholytic vs microdoses dose ranges and effects

  • Mechanisms of action

Learning Outcomes

  • Explain the risks, benefits, and pharmacological knowledge of ketamine in plain language to interdisciplinary colleagues and to clients as part of the informed consent process.

  • Describe recommended dosages, expected duration, metabolism, and expected intensity of ketamine.

  • Discuss key areas of research on ketamine.

  • Explain the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of ketamine.

  • Describe the subjective and physiological effects and side effects of ketamine according to different dose ranges as they relate to psychedelic therapy and psychedelic-assisted therapy.

  • Explain the primary effects and mechanisms of action of ketamine on the brain, including connectivity in the brain and activation of serotonin receptors.

  • Explain for which indications ketamine is used.

Assessments Due

  • Module 8 Knowledge Check

Topics

  • Side effects

  • Harm reduction

  • Topics important for consent

  • Contraindications

  • Concomitant medications and supplements

Learning Outcomes

  • Explain the risks, benefits, and pharmacological knowledge of ketamine in plain language to interdisciplinary colleagues and to clients as part of the informed consent process.

  • Describe the subjective and physiological effects and side effects of ketamine according to different dose ranges as they relate to psychedelic therapy and psychedelic-assisted therapy.

  • Describe the contraindications and concomitant medications of ketamine in order to determine client suitability for psychedelic therapy and psychedelic-assisted therapy.

  • Identify models of substance use, potential for addiction, and opportunities for recovery for ketamine.

Assessments Due

  • Module 9 Knowledge Check

Topics

  • Ketamine's mechanisms of action in the brain for depression

  • Preparing clients for psychedelic therapy
  • Facilitator roles in psychedelic therapy
  • Guiding clients through their psychedelic therapy experience

  • Key considerations as a psychedelic nurse or medical assistant

Learning Outcomes

  • Synthesize the Numinus care model, the characteristics of the therapeutic stance, the general arc of psychedelic therapy, and the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the medicine for the purposes of delivering psychedelic therapy as a nurse or medical assistant.

Assessments Due

  • Reflection 2 Assignment