Introducing Hakomi
Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy (HPAP)

A Professional In-Person Somatic Training for Clinicians in Bay Area, USA and Sydney, Australia

Enhance Your Therapeutic Skills for Working with Expanded States of Consciousness in the Emerging Field of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

The Hakomi method has pioneered the use of mindfulness and somatics in-depth psychotherapy for four decades. This training offers a transformative learning journey where the profound wisdom of the Hakomi method converges with the expanding field of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

This training is designed for licensed practitioners to facilitate in-depth somatic processes, non-verbal states, imagery, and ethically safe touch work in integrative relational therapy.

CEUs will be Offered

Key HPAP Learning

What is Hakomi?

What is Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy?

At the intersection of mindfulness, deep self-exploration, and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, our clinical training program merges insights into The Hakomi Method with the evolving landscape of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

The potential of psychedelic substances in therapy is being rediscovered, and the Hakomi method has been recognized by leading researchers such as MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), as a useful and appropriate methodology for facilitating psychedelic psychotherapy. Our training will guide clinicians into this transformative realm emphasizing ethically sound practices for working with expanded states of consciousness. We will explore a variety of different psychedelic medicines used in healing work, including therapeutic applications, presentation of substances and their effects, clinical research, and the frontiers of neuroscience related to this emerging field, as well as indigenous contexts and ancient origins. The HPAP training will teach practitioners the skills and techniques necessary to guide clients through the processes of preparing, facilitating, and integrating psychedelic as well as non-medicine expanded states, such as breathwork and meditative states.

The Hakomi Method is a mindfulness-based somatic psychotherapy approach practiced around the globe for more than 40 years. In addition, Hakomi offers more than just a therapeutic approach; it's a pathway to self-discovery and healing.

This gentle, and elegant mindfulness-based method guides individuals on a profound exploration of their inner world, allowing them to understand, heal, and grow in ways that are deeply meaningful. The Hakomi method is rooted in the belief that self-awareness and self-study in a relational context, are the cornerstone of transformation, and it offers a compassionate framework for therapists and their clients to delve into the complexities of the human experience.

The practice of Hakomi is rooted in fundamentals of mindfulness, embodied somatic presence, and loving kindness creating a safe and focused healing environment, fostering deep understanding and transformation. The method is designed to foster the inherent wisdom of each client through conscious presence and skillful present-moment facilitation. This is a unique skill practitioners need to embody to be safe and effective psychedelic practitioners. become a Hakomi Somatic Coach.

Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy is pioneering a new era in mental health, facilitating profound shifts in consciousness and the potential for unfathomable healing.

In recent years, the field of mental health has witnessed an exciting resurgence in the therapeutic use of psychedelics. Clinical research has shown remarkable potential for psychedelics in addressing a wide range of mental health issues, from PTSD to depression and beyond. As a complementary tool in therapy, these substances provide unique opportunities for profound healing and self-discovery.

The integration of psychedelics within a therapeutic context offers clinicians and clients alike a powerful catalyst for growth, as well as tools to navigate the uncharted territories of the human psyche. By helping clients to access and process deep-seated emotions, traumas, and insights they are able to connect with their inherent wisdom.

Why Choose Hakomi Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy?

What You Will Learn in this Program

Who is it for?

Our HPAP training program is where the two worlds of psychedelics and psychotherapy converge.

Designed for licensed clinicians, our program offers a comprehensive curriculum that blends the wisdom of the Hakomi method with the life-changing potential of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. We provide the knowledge and skills needed to guide clients through their inner journeys, fostering profound healing, growth, and self-discovery.

This unique training program combines our experienced faculty, skills-based somatic curriculum, expert guest lecturers, and transformational experiential learning to support participants to become a part of this exciting journey at the forefront of contemporary psychotherapy.

Learn the power of Hakomi's relational philosophy to create profound safety for exploring expanded states of consciousness based on ethics, legal frameworks, and therapist self-awareness. These skills are applicable to all aspects of psychedelic psychotherapy, including preparation and integration of psychedelic experiences, as well as deep-dive psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy sessions.

Join us as we embark on a path of healing and transformation. Embrace the new possibilities at the nexus of Hakomi and psychedelic therapy.

Get to know the different dimensions of consciousness that are accessed using psychedelic medicines and the psycho-spiritual theories that help us understand the psychedelic experience.
Develop unique pragmatic experiential skills that support non-verbal and non-linear psychic processes often experienced in psychedelic sessions.
Develop Core Competencies
1. Assess and diagnose conditions that are suited to psychedelic therapy.
2. Recognize indications and contraindications to provide safe and ethical care.
3. Learn the neurobiology of psychedelic medicines.
4. Study how to use appropriate dosages, duration of experiences, and side effects
5. Develop a clear understanding of the “ethics of working with expanded states”.
6. Understand “Set and Setting” and the effective use of space and music.
7. Understand the multidimensional process of preparing clients/patients for experiential sessions including intention setting and expectations.
8. Understand the process of integration of psychological material that emerges in experiential sessions.
9. Discover somatic techniques for recognizing and working with trauma before, during, and after experiential sessions.
10. Learn the history of psychedelics, both traditional as well as within Western psychotherapeutic settings.
11. Discover the importance of ceremony and ritual in therapeutic settings.

Licensed Clinicians (USA) including:

Marriage and Family Therapists (MFT) CEU’s available
Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
Professional Clinical Counselors (LPC)
Clinical Psychologists (PhD and PsyD)
Medical Doctors (MD and DO)
Physician Assistant’s (PA)
Nurse Practitioners (NP)
Registered Nurses (BSN)
Post Graduate Prelicensed Clinicans with at least 2000 hours of supervised clinical practice (MA)

Australia Training Applicants need to meet the Clinical standards to practice Psychedelic Assisted Therapy.

Our Vision

HPAP Unique Perspective

Application Process

We envision a world where therapists are well-equipped with the knowledge and skills to harness the synergies between the Hakomi method and psychedelic therapy. Our program is dedicated to empowering licensed clinicians to integrate these powerful tools into their practice responsibly and ethically. We believe in the power of this combination to facilitate healing, personal growth, and transcendence.

Join us on this exciting journey of personal and professional learning where ancient wisdom and cutting-edge science converge to create transformative healing experiences. This is in person training, brings together our community based learning through our own personal profound healing path. The Hakomi way is learning from the inside out with compassionate therapeutic guidance towards personal growth.

Experienced Faculty: Our program is led by experienced Hakomi Trainers with substantial backgrounds in both The Hakomi Method, Trauma Therapy, Somatic Therapies, and Psychedelic Psychotherapy.

Comprehensive Curriculum: Our curriculum covers the essentials of the Hakomi method and its integration into psychedelic psychotherapy, including experiential training. The Hakomi method is uniquely suited to guide expanded states with the emphasis in compassionate and somatic guidance on non verbal states.

Ethical and Legal Considerations: Learn about the ethical and legal aspects of psychedelic psychotherapy to ensure safe and responsible practice.

Supervised Practice: Gain hands-on experience through supervised practice sessions, ensuring you're well-prepared for real-world situations with your clients.

Psychedelic medicines open up multidimensional states of consciousness that are asking to be both experienced as well as understood. This training will present maps of consciousness that describe the differing territories accessed. These include Buddhist, Jungian, and psychodynamic maps of consciousness, as well as neurobiological research that are foundational to understanding trauma and attachment. The Buddhist Heart Sutra, as well as the myth of Inanna’s descent to soul will also inform our learning.

Hakomi’s foundational therapeutic approach and teachings from Continuum and Authentic movement will support making the theoretical teachings come alive as lived experiences. Resonating with traditional approaches and aligning with the Hakomi tradition, we will learn from the “inside out", allowing the theoretical material to be experienced and understood firsthand. Followed by practices to develop the necessary skills to guide others through this rich inner territory.

An experiential medicine session using Ketamine will be offered for all students following a medical screening. Additionally, drumming, breathwork, mindfulness, and music will also be used to induce and guide expanded states. Students will experience immersive expanded sessions as well as learn to hold space (with support) for students in the expanded sessions.

Finally, community learning and support are a cornerstone of ethical and holistic healing approaches. Our safe training space offers students real opportunities to learn and grow through practice and authentic inner exploration.

Note: The Australian HPAP training might not include Experiential KAP (Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy) session, it will be dependent on current State laws at the beginning of the training.

California Applications

California Applications for the 2024 certificate program will be accepted through an online form beginning February 2024. The program offers rolling admissions, meaning that applications will be reviewed as they are received until the program is filled. The priority deadline for applications is March 15, 2024. The Training will be held in the Bay Area, California, in person.

Australia Applications

Australia Applications for the 2024 certificate program will be accepted through an online form beginning March 2024. The program offers rolling admissions, meaning that applications will be reviewed as they are received until the program is filled. The priority deadline for applications is May 1, 2024. The Training will be held in Sydney, Australia in person.

Applicants will be asked to submit the following as part of the application process:

Education and licensure, Licensing board(s) and license/registration number. Any scope of practice that is relevant.
Brief description of experience working with trauma and/or PTSD
Interest and inspiration for working with Hakomi Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies
Somatic or Mindfulness practice experience
Brief description of strengths and growth edges as related to this program
Scholarship statement for eligible/interested applicants

Scholarship

We believe that psychedelic therapy can be an important support in healing individuals and communities towards a just and equitable future. We have a limited number of spots to support historically underrepresented groups and recognize the need to support these groups to facilitate our vision for an inclusive and equitable access to these trainings,

We are committed to making our training available to underrepresented groups such as People of the Global Majority, LGBTQIA+, military service members, veterans, first responders, persons with disabilities, those experiencing economic marginalization.

Safe and Brave Space

Hakomi has a long standing commitment to creating safe learning environments and has been undertaking a process of updating the language and protocols to be in alignment with the values of a safe and brave learning space.

For more resources:

Learn about harm reduction with Psychedelic assisted therapy work. Here some recommend resources by organizations such as:

Fireside Project, which offers psychedelic peer support
Zendo Project, focused on psychedelic harm reduction
MAPS, a leader in psychedelic research and education
DanceSafe, a harm reduction organization that offers education and drug testing