Potions of Power

Skills for Psychedelic Leadership

Over the past few years, I’ve had the honor of contributing to literally hundreds of people’s journeys of becoming a psychedelic therapist, guide, or facilitator.

Just last week I was honored to give a lecture with the Jungian Mystery School, a well-wrought course on Jungian psychology and psychedelics, curated by the good folks at Applied Jung.

Currently, we are mid-way through our third cohort of Inner Trek, the leading psilocybin training program for licensed facilitators in Oregon. It’s an immense privilege, and an immense responsibility, to try to instill the values, ethics, perspectives, and practices that I believe this new generation of psychedelic leaders need. 

And, the psychedelic field is saturated by charlatans, grifters, and people who simply don’t have their shit together. Trust me on this. Perhaps you’ve met a few yourself.

This isn't about being perfect, moral superiority, or canceling anyone. I’m just pointing out the fact that the field of psychedelics could do with a serious upgrade in what are commonly called “leadership skills.” A few good books have been written on the subject, and I hope more continue to be. I’ve dedicated an entire chapter in my book on the role of the leader, which most of this article is based on. 

This article is but a small pebble thrown into an ocean of perspectives, personalities, and preferences. As always, take nothing here as doctrine or dogma. I wrote this in the hopes that it may serve one or two of you as you find your own way along this spiral road.  

These are the things I wish someone had taken me aside and told me before I began working as a psychedelic therapist.

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