Apply to the Psychedelic Guide Program

Admission Steps

Step 1: Read Key Information

Before you apply, be well informed about the program and the unique ways we approach tuition as well as progression through our program.

Program Details

Please read the main Program page, Groundwork Theory, Groundwork Practice, and Apprenticeship pages in full. We strongly recommend reading through the FAQ’s available on the home page, main program page, and FAQ’s page. 

Evaluation and Progression

GatherWell uses a progression approach through the program. Applying and enrolling to GroundWork Theory does not guarantee acceptance into Groundwork Practice, and so forth. 

The purpose of these evaluation thresholds is not to determine whether someone is “good enough” to become a guide. They are opportunities for mutual discernment about readiness, alignment, growth, and whether the next phase of training is appropriate. This way, we can responsibly move forward together. Our phased approach helps to foster coherence, alignment and safety for other apprentices, GatherWell clients that apprentices come into contact with and the clients of future GatherWell graduates. 

Should it not be compatible to progress forward together at any stage, we will seek to communicate this clearly and thoughtfully and, where appropriate, offer guidance or resources for continued learning and development, with encouragement to reapply and re-engage with future cycles of the Psychedelic Guide Program.

Tuition Model

Read about our tuition model on our Cost & Aid page

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Step 2: Apply to Enter the Program

The main application for the program is completed before entering Groundwork Theory. Anyone interested in beginning the Psychedelic Guide Program may apply. We do not have a fixed application deadline.

Cohorts begin when enough prepared participants are ready to start together.
Learn more about the initial application phase

The initial application is an opportunity for mutual discernment and cohort formation.

We seek to understand what is bringing someone to this work, where they are in their journey, and how their experiences and perspectives may contribute to the cohort. We also consider alignment with GatherWell’s approach and any factors that may affect someone’s ability to participate safely and meaningfully.

At this stage, we are asking: Is this person a good fit for GatherWell’s learning environment, and is GatherWell a good fit for what they are seeking on their learning journey?

Application fee: $150

If the application fee would create a financial barrier to applying, please reach out to us about a reduced fee. The application fee is non-refundable.

Step 3: Cohort Formation

GatherWell reviews applications as they are received. We consider each applicant individually, as well as how applicants may contribute to a balanced and diverse cohort.

What are we considering in this application phase?

We consider factors such as applicants’ backgrounds, identities and lived experiences, professional and community contexts, experience with psychedelic medicines, and where they are in their relationship to the work of guiding.

What's the timeline for applications?

We do not have a fixed application deadline. Cohorts begin when enough prepared participants are ready to start together. This allows us to form a cohort that has the diversity, range of experience, and relational conditions needed to support a rich learning environment.

What does the review process entail?

GatherWell staff review your application, with health information reviewed by an appropriate professional where relevant. We may also reach out with questions or invite you to a brief conversation.

If there are concerns about your ability to progress safely and with compatibility beyond Groundwork Theory into Groundwork Practice, we will be transparent about this before you begin, so that you can decide whether you would still like to participate in and benefit from the Groundwork Theory phase.

Ready to Apply?

Fill out the form below to begin.
Please note that applying includes a $150 application fee. 

Name
How did you find out about this program? Please check one box:

Intentions and Goals:

NOTE as you write in answers below: Please do not write any specifics (people's names, dates, or locations) about experience with entheogens or psychedelics that were conducted in an illegal context.

Please complete this section as openly and honestly as you feel comfortable. Your responses help us get to know you, better attune our approach to your experience, and support our commitment to equity and cultivating a diverse community of program participants. All information is kept strictly confidential and shared only with relevant organizational and program staff.

Identity, Positionality, and Social Context

Answer required for correlation with medical questions.
Creating an explicit culture around sharing pronouns is one way to support people's right to determine how they want to be addressed, and affirms the dignity of trans and gender expansive people.
Include all aspects you feel comfortable sharing. Consider your race, class, gender, sexual orientation, and other aspects of your identity. Below are some lists presenting options to help you provide a nuanced description. Please add any further aspects or context that feel important to you.
Gender Identity:
Put N/A if nothing more to share
Racial Identity and Identification
Put N/A if nothing more to share
Sexual Orientation
Put N/A if nothing more to share
Neurodivergence:
Put N/A if nothing more to share

Positionality and Social Context

Current Experience, Personal Practices, and Commitments

Current offering/work/area of dedication:
This section is followed by a text box for you to add more information if desired.
Put N/A if nothing more to share
Since some components of the program involve expanded states of consciousness experiences it is important that we get a clear understanding of your prior experience for your own well-being and that of other participants.

Experience with Expanded States/Psychedelics:

If describing work done outside of a legal context, please omit specifics (such as any identifying information of other people, locations, etc) Please only write here work done that you are comfortable disclosing in writing. Further discussion can be had in the interview phase of the admission process before Groundwork Practice to fill in any information omitted in this section. Please indicate at the bottom of this section in the space provided if this is the case.
In terms of how experienced you would identify yourself to be with psychedelics in general, would you consider yourself:
Additional information you'd like to discuss?
As our program is deeply relational and grounded in group learning, it is important that we understand your experiences, patterns, and relationship to being in community with others. This section offers an opportunity to reflect and share what feels relevant for you so we can best support group dynamics.

Interpersonal Dynamics

Since some components of our retreats involve expanded states of consciousness experiences involving psychedelics (psilocybin-containing mushrooms) it is important that we get a clear sense of your mental health and physical health for your well-being and safety. Part 1 will provide an initial opportunity to get to know you in these aspects. A part 2 screening will be provided ahead of the Groundwork Practice phase of the program and ask more detailed current and historical mental health and physical health questions to support you in having a safe and beneficial experience. Please respond to the rest of the application thoroughly and honestly.

Mental Health and Physical Health History Part 1:

If you have the symptoms below, please check the box that best describes their severity. If you don't have symptoms, leave blank.  

1 = mild/sometimes 

2 =moderate/often 

3 = severe/constant

Please prioritize your ability to stay emotionally resourced and self-connected. We will ask deeper questions about your relationship to trauma in the screening before the Groundwork Practice phase to better assess if the approach of work is safe and supportive for you and your experience.

Trauma

Medical History Part 2

Are you pregnant?
Psilocybin mushrooms are contraindicated to pregnancy.
Are you currently trying to conceive?
Psilocybin mushrooms are contraindicated to pregnancy.
Our approach to tuition is rooted in the belief that educational communities can function as ecosystems: people contribute in different ways according to their means, with greater abundance helping to create access for those who need more support. Before completing this section, please review our Tuition philosophy, Cost & Aid Information page on our website (https://gatherwell.org/cost-aid-psychedelic-guide/), and engage with the self-reflection process provided to support you in determining your contribution level. We invite a thoughtful and honest consideration of what you are able to contribute within the larger ecosystem of this learning community.

Financial Capacity

Contribution level I have self assessed myself to be at through the GatherWell provided Self Reflection process.

If you indicated Increased Tuition Contribution Level, tell us a bit more about what you can contribute. Final amounts can be finalized at enrollment.

The amounts in parentheses below are for increased contribution levels.

(increased contribution: $8,000 and $12,000)
(increased contribution: $35,000–$50,000)
If additional funding becomes available to further support accessibility, we will reach out. Put N/A if nothing to share here.
Do you think you would like a payment plan to pay throughout the program? When it’s time, a GatherWell staff will reach out to arrange this with you.
This program and experiential components with expanded states of consciousness may lead to profound shifts in your life and it is ideal to have a framework of resources available to support you before, during, and after impactful experiences. Having support to integrate the experience can help you to get the most benefit from it.

Support and Capacity

By submitting this form I attest to:

  1. The accuracy of the above information. I realize that failure to provide accurate information may compromise my experience or safety, and I have answered this questionnaire truthfully to the best of my ability.  
  2. Having read the available information about the program on the website. I understand applying to the program does not guarantee progression through all phases of the program. GatherWell uses an evaluation based progression  approach prioritizing readiness, ultimately for client safety. 
  3. I have read the information provided to determine my tuition contribution level. I understand that tuition will be different amount for different people relevant to means. 
Check here to confirm
Price: $150.00

Thank you for taking the time to apply and for your commitment to learning how to guide and gather well.