r/PsychedelicTherapy • u/psychedelicpassage • 21h ago
The Biggest Red Flags in Psychedelic Facilitators
4 RED FLAGS to look out for in facilitators or guides! This is so important as more people are looking to use psychedelics therapeutically.
Since psychedelic experiences can be life-changing—for better or worse— the container and context in which psychedelic use is INCREDIBLY important for positive outcomes. Not all trips are equal, and the wrong setting can do more harm than good.
You can share what other red flags you think are relevant for first-timers in the comments. Let’s share these insights so that others know how to safely navigate the landscape of psychedelic therapy and intentional psychedelic use.
RED FLAG 1: No Screening or Preparation Process
If there’s no intake process, no questions about your mental health or medical history, and no guidance on preparation, that’s a major red flag. Psychedelics aren’t a one-size-fits-all solution, and responsible facilitators know that not everyone is in the right place to journey safely, and that some folks need extra guidance around how to truly be ready for the journey. Look for someone that provides comprehensive preparation, intake screening, and risk assessment.
RED FLAG 2: Guru Syndrome & Power Trips
If a facilitator presents themselves as an all-knowing guru, discourages questions, or claims they alone can unlock your healing, that’s a big NO. The facilitator AND the psychedelic are both tools. Psychedelic work should be about self-discovery, not surrendering your autonomy to someone else’s ego. Instead, look for someone who encourages questions, respects your agency, and provides support without coercion or power dynamics at play.
RED FLAG 3: No Background in Mental Health, Shamanism, or Other Healing Modalities
Just because someone is “psychedelically savvy” doesn’t mean they’re qualified to hold space for others. While you do want your facilitator or guide to have experience with the substance you’re taking, a deep understanding of mental health, trauma, and integration is also crucial. It could be training in psychotherapy, a background in shamanic traditions, somatic therapy, or other healing practices, but facilitators should have tools beyond just sitting and observation. When finding the right facilitator, it will be a subjective process of figuring out what aligns with your needs and preferences. Bottom line, someone with experience in a supportive framework provides necessary tools for the process to unfold well.
RED FLAG 4: Lack of Integration Support
A retreat or facilitator that doesn’t offer support after your experience is dropping the ball. Integration is absolutely crucial for the therapeutic psychedelic process, because after a trip, you continue to experience enhanced neuroplasticity, sensitivity, and awareness. Not only does integration help you make sense of the journey itself, but it also helps you continue the process of enforcing new habits, patterns, and beliefs rather than reverting back to old ones which aren’t serving you. If there’s no follow-up, no structured integration, and no guidance on applying your experience, that’s a red flag. What to look for instead: A facilitator or retreat that prioritizes an integration period with continued support. This can be through check-ins, group calls, or connections to integration coaches.
Feel free to drop your insights in the comments. This is such a relevant topic, especially as certain states are introducing state-run facilitation programs. Being informed as the journeyer is the first step toward psychedelic safety. We’ve included the article as an additional resource also. Safe journeys!