All Hands On Deck

Celebrating 10 Years of Medicinal Mindfulness and looking towards the future of the Psychedelic Movement.

By Alison McQueen, MA, LPC, ATR and Jenn Paradise, MA

The revolution is here, thank Goddess. 

For the past decade, the Center for Medicinal Mindfulness has been committed to pioneering and maintaining the best practices in Psychedelic Therapy. After opening the first legal psychedelic plant medicine therapy clinic in the USA, we have navigated steep learning curves in a dynamic industry barely out of its infancy. Surely, we all have sustained doubts about the ongoing success of the psychedelic movement. Succeeding in this field requires a keen attention and the ability to adapt swiftly to the cascading tides of legalization. This movement is either going to make it, or it’s not. There is much to pay attention to in the coming years. 

Please pay attention with us.

We frequently hear from those wanting to get involved in this movement. Many assume that the only roles available are to become a psychedelic therapist or guide, or to start a retreat center abroad. Some have become disillusioned by their chosen career path; they want to find out how they can change careers and become a psychedelic practitioner, despite an extensive background and a thoroughly developed set of specialized skills in another area. 

Some have had psychedelic awakenings, or profound spiritual experiences, and want to explore this framework and become a shining beacon for others who are newly discovering this path. 

People who are already psychotherapists want to become psychedelic therapists. Psychiatrists want to become psychedelic psychiatrists. Budtenders want to become cannabis consultants and guides. Ministers want to complete their advanced trainings and get credentialed as psychedelic therapists. The list goes on and on. They all have witnessed the depth and the power of this work. They feel that the world needs them now more than ever, and they are not mistaken. They have a vision, passion and drive. They are ready to make their plans into reality.

The sheer amount of people who want to get involved is moving to us and we cannot express the depths of our gratitude that this movement has touched so many lives.  

But wait… Don’t quit your day job!

One of the main lessons we have learned, after being in this business for so long, is that there are hidden roles that are integral to supporting the legislators, researchers, authors and therapists that have worked hard to pioneer and cultivate the psychedelic movement. 

This movement cannot and will not be functional or sustainable without the skilled laborers who work tirelessly behind the scenes. Below is an non-exhaustive list of some of the professionals without whom we would not be celebrating ten years of success:

  • Web designers
  • Accountants
  • Insurance brokers
  • Legal teams (we have 4)
  • Office managers
  • Administrative assistants
  • Diversity consultants and coaches
  • Editors
  • Publishers
  • Childcare providers
  • Maintenance crew
  • Custodial staff
  • Software developers
  • Marketing experts
  • IT tech support

Psychedelic Therapists are good at some things, not all things. A movement like this isn’t functional at all without a whole lot of people who aren’t therapists; people who are dedicated to the logistical details, ensuring that the therapists can provide the utmost attention and care that their clients are counting on. 

It is undeniable that psychedelic practitioners are essential pillars of the psychedelic movement. Those willing to dedicate countless hours of their lives to guide their clients in having positive, life-changing experiences are key components which fuel the momentum and contribute immensely to the pool of voices crying out for legal and accessible psychedelic therapy.

The caveat here is that therapists have specialized skill sets and cannot possibly perform all the duties necessary to launch and operate larger-scale organizations. Psychedelic startups will tank in a minute without the right behind-the-scenes team of professionals with awesome executive functioning skills. 

A nice vision is simply not enough. Visions are a dime a dozen in this field. A vision will remain only that, without the proper support staff to execute it and stay committed to the nitty gritty details throughout the varying degrees of tumult that surrounds emerging psychedelic modalities. 

This is a message and outcry to all the passionate and talented people out there who are seeking to be an ally to the psychedelic movement – those who want to be involved, who have valuable skills and accomplished careers in their fields.

We need you. We cannot do this without you! However, we often can’t find you because you haven’t “come out” as a psychedelic professional on LinkedIn or other professional platforms.

We need individuals who excel at detailed-oriented and task-oriented administrative duties. We need people who are tenacious and willing to spend months engaging complex problems. We implore you to come out of the psychedelic closet and make yourselves known. 

Psychedelic accountants are just as crucial to the psychedelic movement as psychedelic therapists are.

To quote Daniel McQueen in Psychedelic Cannabis: Therapeutic Methods and Unique Blends to Treat Trauma and Transform Consciousness : 

All hands on deck. Practice the crafts you know. The wild ocean is calling, and we’re being pulled out of our safe harbors by forces beyond our control. Use what you know, and if you’re inspired, call in cannabis as an ally for your own adventure into the unknown…Above all else, I wish you safe travels. Wherever you go.