Stage 1: Theory (Preparation) 60 hours
Inwardbound 60 hour online Introduction to Psychedelic- Assisted Therapy Educational course may suit:
Mental health professionals interested in learning more about psychedelic therapy
Therapists/ Psychotherapists/ Integration Therapists
If you resonate with our approach of combining the scientific with the spiritual, the transpersonal with the psychotherapeutic
Stage 2: Practise (Foundation) 110 hours
(NEW) Inwardbound 7-Day Psychedelic Facilitation Immersive Skills Training: Netherlands 1st-7th June 2026 and Costa Rica 22nd-29th August 2026
Step into the world of psychedelic facilitation with our immersive 7-day Psychedelic Facilitation Skills Training
Step into the world of psychedelic facilitation with our immersive 8-day Psychedelic Facilitation Skills Training—a deep dive into the ethical, therapeutic, and practical aspects of holding space for psychedelic experiences.
Whether you’re a therapist, psychologist, mental health professional , or simply drawn to this path, this training will equip you with the tools, confidence, and foundational experience to guide others through profound inner journeys.
Stage 3: Inwardbound Apprenticeship Programme (Implementation) 260 hours total
We have created an apprenticeship programme for our graduates of the Inwardbound Stage 2 Training Programme. They have the opportunity to gain practical facilitation experience by shadowing our team of facilitators on three Inwardbound retreats over a 2-3 year period.
It will be invite only basis for those who have completed State 1 and 2 of the Inwardbound training programme.
To ensure professional and ethical standards, entry to Stage 3 is based on:
Interview ( 30 min call)
Cover letter outlining relevant experience
Case study from Stage 2 demonstrating competency
Completion of Inwardbound Stage 1 and 2 training, or equivalent.
Structure & Hours
Stage 3 Apprenticeship involves approximately 150 hours contact/ learning time (in addition to 100+ hours contact time in the first 2 stages of the training) by attending 3 Inwardbound retreats as an assistant over a 2-3 year period.
Please email [email protected] for more details.
Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Education Programme
Our Educational Mission Statement
Our mission is to educate people on the safe use of psychedelics in a therapeutic setting, combining cutting edge science and psychotherapy with the ancestral wisdom of Ireland
We believe:
- that psychedelic-assisted therapy, when done in a safe manner, has the potential to change the world for the better
- that psychedelics such as psilocybin are the shared birthright of humanity, belong to no-one, and as such by educating others we would like to reach and help as many people as possible
- that the core value of healing should always be service to others
- that psychedelics are sacred medicines of the earth, and deserve our respect
- that we are custodians of these sacred medicines, not their owners, and therefore have a duty to educate others in how to work responsibly with psychedelics in a safe and therapeutic way
- that psychedelic healing practised in a safe way should be accessible to all, not just the privileged and wealthy. For this reason, we will offering a limited number of scholarships to those from disadvantaged socio-economic or ethnic backgrounds
Pathways to Certification
The legal pathways towards psychedelic-assisted therapy are constantly evolving
Currently, there is no standardized psychedelic-assisted therapy certification which is recognized globally or across Europe.
The most developed regulatory framework exists in Oregon and Colorado in the US, where a state-licensed psilocybin facilitator model has been established. However, this system is region-specific and not internationally standardized.
It is anticipated that broader European or global certification frameworks may emerge in the future.
Inwardbound’s training is designed within the context of an emerging global field. Our programme draws on best practices from leading research, therapeutic frameworks, and established training models. Our facilitator training integrates experiential learning, evidence-informed approaches, ethical guidelines, and experiential learning to support participants in developing the skills required to safely and responsibly hold space in psychedelic settings.
Graduates receive a certification from Inwardbound, reflecting completion of our training programme, while recognising that certification standards in this field are still evolving. Hopefully, a broader European or global certification framework will emerge in the coming years.
Graduates of the Inwardbound training may be considered for roles within legal psychedelic retreat centres, however it does not guarantee employment with Inwardbound or other organisations. All opportunities are subject to individual assessment, and are determined by Inwardbound or another hiring organisation based on experience, suitability, and organisational fit.
Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Training
Our Educational Mission Statement
Our mission is to educate people on the safe use of psychedelics in a therapeutic setting, combining cutting edge science and psychotherapy with the ancestral wisdom of Ireland
We believe:
- that psychedelic assisted therapy, when done in a safe manner, has the potential to change the world for the better
- that psychedelics such as psilocybin are the shared birthright of humanity, belong to no-one, and as such by educating others we would like to reach and help as many people as possible
- that the core value of healing should always be service to others
- that psychedelics are sacred medicines of the earth, and deserve our respect
- that we are custodians of these sacred medicines, not their owners, and therefore have a duty to educate others in how to work responsibly with psychedelics in a safe and therapeutic way
- that psychedelic healing practised in a safe way should be accessible to all, not just the privileged and wealthy. For this reason, we will offering a limited number of scholarships to those from disadvantaged socio-economic or ethnic backgrounds
The Inwardbound Introduction to Psychedelic Therapy Programme director is Inwardbound co-founder Rob Coffey. Rob is a fully accredited psychotherapist (MIACP/ MSc/ BA Hons) and transpersonal therapist. Prior to becoming a psychotherapist, he had many years experience co-ordinating eductional courses and lecturing in the field of higher education up to University Honors degree level (Level 8) .
He has a Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Integrative Psychotherapy (Level 9) from Dublin City University, and is a professional member of MIND- the European Foundation for Psychedelic Science. He is also a qualified Shamanic Counsellor in Celtic Shamanism, and has completed an 8 year training as a Transpersonal Therapist at the Irish Centre for Shamanic and Transpersonal Studies, in the tradition of Dr. Stan Grof.
He believes that only way to create change in the world is through inner psychological work, and his work had been around reconnecting people to themselves, to each other and to nature. He is deeply connected to the land and sacred sites of Ireland, and for the past few years has been connecting deeply to the ancestral wisdom of Ireland.
Rob has been a student of Amazonian curanderismo for a number of years, having done several dietas with the renowned Mahua lineage in Peru. He co-wrote a code of ethics for plant medicine facilitators "A guideline for navigating sexual trauma and harm prevention in psychedelic ceremony space" (www.saferceremony.com), as well as helping to draft the dutch Guild of Guides Code of Ethics.
He has a Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Integrative Psychotherapy (Level 9) from Dublin City University, and is a professional member of MIND- the European Foundation for Psychedelic Science. He is also a qualified Shamanic Counsellor in Celtic Shamanism, and has completed an 8 year training as a Transpersonal Therapist at the Irish Centre for Shamanic and Transpersonal Studies, in the tradition of Dr. Stan Grof.
He believes that only way to create change in the world is through inner psychological work, and his work had been around reconnecting people to themselves, to each other and to nature. He is deeply connected to the land and sacred sites of Ireland, and for the past few years has been connecting deeply to the ancestral wisdom of Ireland.
Rob has been a student of Amazonian curanderismo for a number of years, having done several dietas with the renowned Mahua lineage in Peru. He co-wrote a code of ethics for plant medicine facilitators "A guideline for navigating sexual trauma and harm prevention in psychedelic ceremony space" (www.saferceremony.com), as well as helping to draft the dutch Guild of Guides Code of Ethics.
Martin is an accredited jungian psychotherapist, who trained as a transpersonal therapist in Dr Stan Grof's holiotropic states of consciousness. He is widely regarded as one of the world's leading experts on celtic shamanism. Martin also spent 30 years working in the Irish psychiatric services, including some pioneering collaborations with legendary Irish psychiatrist and psychedelic pioneer Dr Ivor Browne (pictured with Martin below), who was a contemporary and colleague of Dr Stan Grof.
Martin is the director of the OakTree Charitable Trust, a nonprofit organization that runs the Irish Centre for Shamanic Studies and The Transpersonal Institute at Dunderry Park.
The Centre is dedicated to promoting and preserving shamanic traditions from around the world, particularly those of the pre-Celtic and Celtic era. Contemporary Transpersonal approaches are also taught at the centre. Martin has worked as a mental health care professional since 1977. He has trained in various forms of consciousness raising methods including Holotropic Breathwork with Dr Stan Grof, Dreamwork, Trance dancing and Firewalking with Michael Harner
His grandfather and mother are traditional folk healers and he is following in their footsteps. His work is influenced by the Druid traditions of ancient Ireland.
He has done fieldwork with indigenous Shamans from Mongolia, Mexico, the Amazon, Andes, and Africa and also has trained in core Shamanism with the Foundation of Shamanic Studies (U.S.A.) and the Scandinavian Centre for Shamanic Studies.
Martin brings warmth and compassion to his shamanic practice. He has strong values with regards integrity, honesty and openness, in particular he believes in empowering the individual to find healing, knowledge and wisdom within themselves. More about Martin: https://www.shamanismireland.com/
A TEDx speaker, activist, somatic trauma specialist, #1 Best Selling Author, and yoga teacher & group facilitator, Atira Tan, is a powerful agent of transformation and change. She has touched the lives of thousands of women, men, and children around the world, supporting them through her 15 years of experience in various somatic and creative trauma recovery approaches.
Passionate about creating safer spaces for everybody, and bringing healing and awareness in the “shadowy” areas of life, Atira has worked as a trauma-informed integration specialist in ayahuasca retreat centers such as the Temple of the Way of Light in Peru and is currently the head of integration at AYA Healing Retreats.
Atira has mapped the trauma recovery of hundreds of plant medicine participants in her private practice as an integration trauma specialist. She co-facilitates Trauma-informed and Somatic Experiencing Plant Medicine retreats and ayahuasca dietas in Peru with AYA Healing Retreats. She is also the pioneer and founder of the Trauma-Informed Plant Medicine Program, which has over 150 graduates in 2 years.
Atira has also worked for over a decade internationally in community organizations and international development as a consultant, clinician, and supervisor, as well as an educator in non-for-profit settings. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the European Graduate School in Switzerland, researching the effectiveness of somatic and creative trauma recovery interventions for sex-trafficked survivors in Asia. Atira also has presented at numerous conferences alongside Dr. Peter Levine, Dr. Stephen Porges, Dr Pat Ogden, and Dr. Gabor Mate, just to name a few.
She co-wrote, along with Inwardbound co-founder Rob Ó Cobhthaigh, an international code of ethics: "Sexual Trauma- A guideline for navigating sexual trauma and harm prevention in psychedelic/ plant medicine ceremony spaces"
You can find out more about her work at www.atiratan.com
Dr Darragh Stewart is the co-founder of Inwardbound, and post doctoral plant geneticist who will be covering the science of psychedelics on the Introduction to Psychededlic Therapy course.
Donca Vianu is a psychiatrist and psychotherapist with more than 40 years work experience spread over different countries and cultures, of which 30 years in the Netherlands.
In the Netherlands she worked at governmental institutions for mental health and in her own practice.
As a psychotherapist, she is trained in various methodologies, with an emphasis on the hypnotherapy treatment of complex PTSD and intergenerational transmission of trauma, cognitive behavioural therapy, gender and relationship problems and transcultural aspects of mental problems.
She works with expanded states of consciousness employing Focusing (Eugene Gendlin) Hypnotherapy (Milton Erickson) and Active Imagination (Carl G. Jung, Gerald Epstein, Robert Moss.)
Lately she included in her therapeutic approach Regres- sion to Previous Lives (Paul Aurand) and work with the Wheel of Life (Daan v. Kampenhout)
Throughout her career she pursued two other passions: art and spirituality. Her interest in spirituality led to a study in comparative religions and later in Buddhist psychology with Thich Nhat Hanh, Zen Master and poet.
Her passion for art was reflected in a theatre training (De Kleine Academie, Brussels) a dance-and somatic movement training (School for New Dance Development, Amsterdam) and a study of the scientific base of creativity (OU, UK.)
Donca Vianu has a rich psychological toolbox with which she helps people with most diverse challenges and complaints to recover and grow.
She is known in the Netherlands and Germany as highly skilled integration therapist for psychedelic experiences, in which she was a forerunner for many years.
Sophie-Charlotte Alice Adler, MSc, is a psychologist, hypnotherapist, researcher and author. She has specialised in working with altered states of consciousness since 2017 and has been supervising ketamine infusions at Instituto Dr. Scheib in Mallorca since 2018. In Autumn 2020 she built up a private practice for Dr. Scheib in Berlin where Ketamine Therapy is offered. Ketamine (off-label use) is currently the only legally available and approved psychedelic substance. With the support of Dr Mario Scheib and Prof Revenstorf, Sophie Adler developed an innovative therapy method, the "Ketamine Hypnosis Package" (KHP).
Since 2018, she has accompanied over 400 ketamine infusions as a psychologist and hypnotherapist. In 2020, her book ""Altered States of Consciousness - New Paths in Psychotherapy? The Potential of the Psychoactive Substance Psilocybin“" was published by Carl-Auer in Germany.
Since 2018, she has accompanied over 400 ketamine infusions as a psychologist and hypnotherapist. In 2020, her book ""Altered States of Consciousness - New Paths in Psychotherapy? The Potential of the Psychoactive Substance Psilocybin“" was published by Carl-Auer in Germany.
She is the founder of ACSMINDWORKS - a group of specialists working on healing and states of consciousness in a variety of ways (www.acsmindworks.com). Sophie-Charlotte Adler is a member of the MIND Foundation as well as the KRIYA- Consultation Group with Dr. Raquel Bennett and Dr. Jessica Katzman in California.
Roberta Murphy is an Irish psychiatrist based in London. She is currently training as medical psychotherapist in South West London and St George's NHS Trust. She is a member of the Imperial Centre for Psychedelic Research. She worked as a study doctor and guide on PSILODEP II, a research trial investigating the use of Psilocybin for moderate to severe depression. In this trial she took a lead on screening of participants.She has helped to train other psychedelic trials in the UK and internationally. She has also guided on trials of healthy volunteers and psilocybin for eating disorders. Her research interests are around the role of the therapeutic relationship in psychedelic therapy. She is interested in alternative approaches to severe and enduring mental health issues, She has trained and works in Open Dialogue therapy, which offers a systemic-based approach to mental health crisis, and eco-therapy.
Cristina Kalyani has over 25 years experience guiding people into altered states of consciousness, as a transpersonal therapist, somatic therapist and hynotherapist. She has trained in holotropic breathwork with the Grof Transpersonal Training. She will be guiding on the practical module with deep facilitation skills.
Declan Hammond will be joining us to deliver the harm reduction module on the Inwardbound Introduction to Psychedelic Therapy Training.
Declan Hammond is a homeopath, transpersonal therapist and shamanic practitioner, co-founder and former director of The Irish School of Homeopathy. His life and work has been a passionate search for the most effective healing tools for himself and his patients. This journey has taken him all over the globe studying Eastern and Western approaches to healing and traditional shamanic practices. Declan has developed a unique synthesis of these ancient and modern healing techniques and works with individuals and groups to empower deep personal growth and spiritual development.
He is passionate about working with the challenges of non-ordinary states of consciousness. He has a particular interest in drug harm reduction work and is part of the Kosmicare Medical Team at Boom Festival
https://declanhammond.com/
Robert Krause, DNP, APRN-BC is Visiting Faculty at the Graduate Institute and a former faculty lecturer in the GEPN program at the Yale School of Nursing where he worked for the past 20 years. He has extensive experience in teaching including having taught courses at Western CT State University, Quinnipiac University, and the Yale School of Nursing. He coordinated the GEPN Clinical Psychiatric Nursing experience as well as lectured for Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing and a professional issues course. His research has involved using yoga, meditation, and other practices to decrease aggression in-patient psychiatric populations. Currently, he researches the use of psilocybin for depression and also maintains a private psychiatric practice treating most major psychiatric conditions with therapy and pharmacology.
Dr. Benjamin Malcolm, known as the "Spirit Pharmacist," is a board-certified psychiatric pharmacist and psychopharmacology consultant. He specializes in the intersection of traditional psychiatric medications and psychedelic therapies, focusing on safety, drug interactions, and tapering off antidepressants for safe psychedelic use
Graham has been interested in the therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs since the late 1990s. This naturally evolved from his early interest in the interpretation of dreams, hypnosis and psychoanalysis.
He qualified as a doctor in 2003 from the University of Birmingham and trained in psychiatry from 2006. In 2012, he was awarded an MSc in Neuroscience with distinction from Kings College London and focussed on the role of inflammation in the aetiology of depression. He worked as an NHS inpatient consultant psychiatrist from 2012 at Mill View Hospital in Hove and trained with Imperial College London in February 2018 to work as an assistant guide for the trial comparing psilocybin with escitalopram for depression.
In March 2019, he helped set up the Brighton Psychedelic Integration Circle and was instrumental in organising educational events around psychedelics at Brighton & Sussex Medical School later that year. In 2020, he decided to leave the NHS after 17 years to devote himself full-time to psychedelic therapy research.
He now works as the Study Psychiatrist for a trial investigating N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) as a treatment for depression. He is also a member of the advisory council for the Institute of Psychedelic Therapy
Professional Titles:
Trial Psychiatrist - DMT for Depression (Hammersmith Medicines Research)Previous NHS Consultant Psychiatrist (8 years)
Collaborator with Imperial College London Psychedelic Research Group
Director of Clinical Psychiatry - Small Pharma (fully seconded to HMR)
Advisory Council and Chair of Academic Circle - The Institute of Psychedelic Therapy
He qualified as a doctor in 2003 from the University of Birmingham and trained in psychiatry from 2006. In 2012, he was awarded an MSc in Neuroscience with distinction from Kings College London and focussed on the role of inflammation in the aetiology of depression. He worked as an NHS inpatient consultant psychiatrist from 2012 at Mill View Hospital in Hove and trained with Imperial College London in February 2018 to work as an assistant guide for the trial comparing psilocybin with escitalopram for depression.
In March 2019, he helped set up the Brighton Psychedelic Integration Circle and was instrumental in organising educational events around psychedelics at Brighton & Sussex Medical School later that year. In 2020, he decided to leave the NHS after 17 years to devote himself full-time to psychedelic therapy research.
He now works as the Study Psychiatrist for a trial investigating N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) as a treatment for depression. He is also a member of the advisory council for the Institute of Psychedelic Therapy
Professional Titles:
Trial Psychiatrist - DMT for Depression (Hammersmith Medicines Research)Previous NHS Consultant Psychiatrist (8 years)
Collaborator with Imperial College London Psychedelic Research Group
Director of Clinical Psychiatry - Small Pharma (fully seconded to HMR)
Advisory Council and Chair of Academic Circle - The Institute of Psychedelic Therapy
Dr Simon Ruffell is a psychiatrist, ayahuasca researcher, and student of curanderismo.
Since 2015 Dr Ruffell has been working closely with Indigenous communities in the Amazon basin, exploring the effects of the traditional psychedelic brew ayahuasca and the role of ceremony and spirit in healing.
Since 2015 Dr Ruffell has been working closely with Indigenous communities in the Amazon basin, exploring the effects of the traditional psychedelic brew ayahuasca and the role of ceremony and spirit in healing.
Dr Ruffell’s work encompasses two paradigms: the spiritual and the scientific. He is committed to working alongside the Shipibo-Konibo people to translate knowledge of Amazonian plant medicines, where possible, into scientific data and terminology whilst ensuring traditions are respected.
Mick has enjoyed the Irish Music Festival scene since his late teens, though in the past at events in 2011 and 2015, he needed the services that PsyCare now provides, but at that time and at those events they weren't available. In 2021 he started to volunteer with PsyCare UK which served as life changing moment which inspired him to bring the current team together to form the founding board of PsyCare Ireland. Since our founding he has been successful in leading PsyCare Ireland to win places on Social Enterprise grant programmes with RETHINK Ireland, Oakfield Trust and Social Entrepreneurs Ireland. Away from PsyCare, Mick maintains a private practice as a psychotherapist with short and long term clients.
Dr. Benjamin Malcolm, known as the "Spirit Pharmacist," is a board-certified psychiatric pharmacist and psychopharmacology consultant. He specializes in the intersection of traditional psychiatric medications and psychedelic therapies, focusing on safety, drug interactions, and tapering off antidepressants for safe psychedelic use
Renée is a trauma informed psychedelic practitioner, therapeutic voicework facilitator, ceremonial vocalist, soundtherapy practitioner and medicine music musician.
In the beginning of 2015 Renée had a pivotal experience during her first Ayahuasca Ceremony. This event served as the catalyst that truly changed her life. From that moment she established a deep connection with plant medicine. She has been attending and co-facilitating many different sacred medicine ceremonies within the Netherlands as well as internationally and gained extensive experience within the ceremonial and therapeutic psychedelic space.
Drawing on knowledge from her training in shamanic and non dual traditions as well as the western approach through the lens of trauma informed therapy such as ACT and IFS she is able to hold a solid space for those embarking on their inner journey.
With a strong focus on preparation, integration and therapeutic voicework it is her mission and life’s work to create a deeply held and safe container in which people can fully lean in to their inner landscape.
Through her presence, music, and sacred songs, Renée guides others on their inner journey, helping to vocalize the unheard and unfelt, alchemize emotions, and restore flow.
Renée walks the path of self healing with integrity and dedication, feeling truly honored and deeply grateful to walk the path of healing with those who choose to go within.
In the beginning of 2015 Renée had a pivotal experience during her first Ayahuasca Ceremony. This event served as the catalyst that truly changed her life. From that moment she established a deep connection with plant medicine. She has been attending and co-facilitating many different sacred medicine ceremonies within the Netherlands as well as internationally and gained extensive experience within the ceremonial and therapeutic psychedelic space.
Drawing on knowledge from her training in shamanic and non dual traditions as well as the western approach through the lens of trauma informed therapy such as ACT and IFS she is able to hold a solid space for those embarking on their inner journey.
With a strong focus on preparation, integration and therapeutic voicework it is her mission and life’s work to create a deeply held and safe container in which people can fully lean in to their inner landscape.
Through her presence, music, and sacred songs, Renée guides others on their inner journey, helping to vocalize the unheard and unfelt, alchemize emotions, and restore flow.
Renée walks the path of self healing with integrity and dedication, feeling truly honored and deeply grateful to walk the path of healing with those who choose to go within.
Henry Whitfield is an Association of Contextual Behavioural Science (ACBS) Peer-reviewed Acceptance and Commitment Therapy trainer, an Accredited Advanced TIR (PTSD therapy) Trainer, a Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist (MSc – CBT) and Visiting Research Fellow at Regent’s University – School of Psychotherapy and Psychology. He is a Phd candidate at the University of Maastricht in psychotherapeutic processes for psychedelic-assisted therapy. For over seven years Henry ran and supervised brief therapy for PTSD projects for Victim Support and Mind in London gun crime hot spots, using CBT and TIR.
Henry has also trained over 1500 psychological therapists since 2003, supervising mental health professionals for ACT and Trauma work in the NHS. He is also a passionate integral thinker, publishing journal articles and book chapters on the integration of therapeutic models including, REBT-mindfulness, ACT-TIR-CBT, Person-centred-TIR. His psychedelic plant medicine path has changed how he does psychotherapy especially with self-concept issues. He has written, co-written and edited training manuals for ACT, TIR and FAP (relational psychodynamic). Now he focuses his research on the development of ACT-consistent models for psychedelic preparation and integration, with psychedelic process research for Regents University London. He is also author of a new model of psychological flexibility A Spectrum of Selves, tailored to a psychedelic therapy context published 2021 in Frontiers in Psychiatry.
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Introduction to Psychedelic-Assisted therapy online education programme
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