Psychedelic Mentorship Training

An accredited program for training in psychedelic preparation and integration support, aimed at professionals working in therapeutic and coaching fields or anyone looking to broaden their education.

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Next Course: 22nd SEPTEMBER 2026

Elevate your practice with our 6-month online accredited training program. Learn to support others preparing for & processing altered states.

  • Advocacy & access

    Advocating and providing a legitimate access point for traditionally trained practitioners, which educational conventions currently do not cater for. Recognising an unmet need for indigenous and marginalised groups doing important work in psychedelic spaces.

  • Multidisciplinary intersections

    The coming together of scientific and evidence-based practices with indigenous and traditional wisdom in the field of psychedelic support. Bringing in experts from diverse disciplines to explore core and in-depth topics where interesting fields intersect.

  • Path to board certification

    Onaya prides itself on professionalism. Our program is a pathway towards being board certified by an International Organization. Upon completion of program requirements and assessments, mentors are pre-qualified for AANWP/ANWPB Board Certification, with options for Continuing Education Units (CEU) offered.

Programs

  • Video content per week

    At least 1 hour of in-your-own-time

  • 18 hours of live teaching time

    90mins, fortnightly, over 6 months

  • Worksheets and exercises to further ground and expand upon care learning concepts

    Guided meditations, breathing exercises and practical preparatory and integrative practices

  • Bespoke teaching developed

    Especially for this Onaya course by each of our specialist contributors

  • Accreditation

    AANWP — American Association of Natural Wellness Practitioners
    ANWPB — American Natural Wellness Practitioners Board

What’s included

  • Understanding Psychedelics: Equipping mentors with foundational scientific knowledge and managing client uncertainties.

    Traditional Perspectives: Helping mentors navigate cultural intersections with clients and appreciation for tradition and culture.

    Intersections & Bridging the Gap: Education on intersections between fields and interconnections of biology and consciousness.

    Inner Work & Therapeutics: Provide mentors with foundational therapeutic skills. Highlighting the importance of inner work.

  • Individual Preparation: Working at the individual level and psycho-physical readiness; setting intentions.

    Collective Preparation: Working at the collective and environmental level; socio-spiritual readiness.

    Mindfulness and Meditation: Knowledge and skills to integrate mindfulness, meditation into mentorship.

    Safety Planning and Assessment: Helping a client establish safety for the journey and managing pre-post ceremony anxiety.

  • Altered States: Understanding and supporting altered states of consciousness.

    Exceptional Human Experiences: Understanding and navigating exceptional human experiences which may arise.

    Setting the Container: How to ensure a safe and protected space. The physical/sonic/relational container

    Facilitation: Basics of facilitation and managing psychedelic emergencies.

    Managing Intense Emotions: Managing intense psychedelic experiences. Somatic & trauma-informed techniques.

  • Integration – Getting Home:Fundamentals of integration and initial short term integration planning.

    Integration – Staying Well: Maintenance guidance and ongoing monitoring.

    Psychedelic Perspectivism: Navigating client’s perspective shifts after ceremony.

    Nature Relatedness: Perspectives beyond self/other and connection with environment.

    Working Systemically: Supporting clients systemically in their relationships and community.

    Dreams and Symbolism: Understand the significance of dreams and support through symbolic aspects of the journey.

  • IteTrauma Informed Care:Working trauma informed and professional boundaries.

    IFS and Parts Work: To equip mentors with understanding of Internal Family Systems and parts work to support clients.

    Legalities: Educate mentors on legal frameworks & considerations and ensure they guide clients responsibly within the law.

    Business: Legal & business considerations for our mentor and client. Having a sustainable practice with a passion for profit - setting up a career and business.

    Research: Learning about psychedelic research, methodologies and ethics.

Including embodied learning activities:

○ Guided breathwork ceremony

○ Experience of a wash-out period

○ Meditations and somatic work

○ Psychometric self-assessments

○ Ceremonial recipes

○ Dreamwork

The American Association of Natural Wellness Practitioners (AANWP)

When you complete our 6-month Mentorship program, you become eligible for Board Certification with AANWP/ANWPB.

Graduates can choose from a variety of Board Certification titles and membership provides access to numerous benefits and resources.

Certification Requirements

○ Multiple-choice tests

○ Panel vignette assessment

○ 30-minute recording of client interaction for competencies assessment

○ 2 x 15-minute recordings of client interactions for feedback

○ 80% minimum attendance of weekly 90-minute live teachings

○ Submit reflective log for live teaching and buddy sessions

○ Completion of all in-course exercises

○ 24 hours of peer-to-peer (buddy) calls

Knowledge and skill-based competencies are assessed in three primary domains: psychedelic guidance and support, core therapeutic skills, and trauma-informed care.

Certification will be awarded upon successful completion of the following:

Who is the course for?

  • People with a background in a healing modality, including (but not limited to): medics, psychologists and psychotherapists, breathwork practitioners, life coaches, somatic healers and traditional practitioners.

  • Those with interest in Indigenous healing modalities and spiritual practices, looking to expand their practice to support individuals holistically in their psychedelic preparation and integration journeys.

  • Individuals seeking greater knowledge of modern science and spiritual traditions to advance their own personal development.

Augmenting skillsets within your current scope of practice

While the Psychedelic Mentorship Training program is designed for professionals in the full range of therapeutic fields, we accept anybody interested in developing their skillset.

○ We strongly encourage applications from individuals who identify as BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, military veterans and service members, and those serving under-resourced and under-represented populations.

○ International applicants are welcome, and professional board credentials are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

○ We offer scholarships for students and practitioners from indigenous heritage who would otherwise not be able to afford the course.

○ If you would like to extend the scope of your practice with this program, we offer a combined deal in partnership with the Human Potential Academy’s coaching qualification.

Please note: This course does not qualify graduates to manage high-risk or clinical populations. *If you are unclear whether your training and experiences meet eligibility for the training, please email us at support@onaya.io for clarification.

Testimonios

  • I selected this course over others because it seemed to offer a greater sense of authenticity and transparency from the facilitators.

    I'm happy to say my expectations have been fully met, with Simon and Waifung proving to be exceptional mentors. Both are highly knowledgeable, yet they have a way of making you feel equal to them, not at all above you.

    There's a real sense of collaboration and openness in the learning environment, which is a refreshing change compared to other courses.

    Jessica T.

  • I was drawn to this mentorship program because of its holistic and experiential approach to psychedelic integration, but it has far surpassed my expectations.

    The depth of wisdom shared with the practical tools has been transformational. An unexpected takeaway was how to hold deeply somatic experiences confidently and with care, a skill I know will profoundly shape my future work.

    It is a course that enriched not only my understanding of western and traditionalapproaches, but also empowered me to step into this field with much clarity and purpose. Highly recommend!

    Carolina S.

  • I got so much out of this course. I especially loved the guest lecturers and our fortnightly calls. The way Simon and Waifung teach is real, honest, and grounded, and it created a space that felt really welcoming and easy to learn in. I learned practical skills and gained a much clearer understanding of the field.

    The mix of perspectives, the somatic tools, and the focus on ethics and safety all made a huge difference. I’m leaving the course feeling confident, prepared, and excited to start supporting others. I’d recommend it to anyone considering this path.

    AdamMoore

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Meet your instructors

  • Dr Simon Ruffell

    Lead Instructor

    Dr. Simon Ruffell, a psychiatrist with a PhD in ayahuasca and mental health, combines Western medicine, research psychology, and traditional plant medicine expertise.

    He has focused on ayahuasca research since 2016, and as CEO of Onaya Health and co-founder of Onaya Science, he collaborates with universities and Indigenous-led organizations to study ayahuasca's effects in Amazonian settings. Simon aims to bridge Indigenous and Western perspectives on plant healing. He is currently training in Shipibo curanderismo under Keyo Sui Rono and Don Rono Lopez.

  • Hailing from Hong Kong, Onaya's COO Dr WaiFung is a research psychologist with years of clinical experience primarily in the field of addiction, neurodevelopment and trauma, exhibiting a keen interest in psychedelic research.

    Currently based at the Maudsley Hospital, King’s College London, he is a co-founder of Onaya Science specialising in Amazonian indigenous ayahuasca research. He is also training in Shipibo Curanderismo and a talented musician with his band United Freedom Collective, signed to the acclaimed UK label, DamaDama, Ninja Tune.

  • I got so much out of this course. I especially loved the guest lecturers and our fortnightly calls. The way Simon and Waifung teach is real, honest, and grounded, and it created a space that felt really welcoming and easy to learn in. I learned practical skills and gained a much clearer understanding of the field.

    The mix of perspectives, the somatic tools, and the focus on ethics and safety all made a huge difference. I’m leaving the course feeling confident, prepared, and excited to start supporting others. I’d recommend it to anyone considering this path.

    AdamMoore