DEFINITIONS

An adult who is licensed by a mental health board to provide mental health therapy/counseling, has a minimum of a master's degree (graduate school) education, and can be someone who has completed a doctorate (PhD or PsyD) in a psychology-related field. A mental health therapist has a graduate degree (or higher) in counseling, psychology, social work, or marriage and family therapy. 

 
Under current laws, licensed mental health therapists face challenges with concurrently acting as a therapist and becoming a licensed psilocybin facilitator. At minimum if a person is dual-licensed as a therapist and facilitator, they cannot administer psilocybin during the course of providing mental health therapy, and they cannot provide mental health therapy while acting as facilitator. 

Psychology Today defines Harm-Reduction as an approach to treating those with alcohol and other substance-use problems that does not require patients to commit to complete abstinence before treatment begins. Instead, an array of practical strategies are deployed to reduce the negative health and social consequences of substance use, and psychotherapy aims to change behavior according to the goals of each patient, whether that means moderation of use or complete abstinence.

Currently, the harm-reduction model is the only option available for those seeking PAT both with mental health counselors and in the underground movement.

More information on the Harm Reduction Approach can be found here.

At PATA we define consumer as any member of the community who wishes to learn about the consumption of psilocybin mushrooms for therapeutic purposes. 

Any individual, including oneself, who administers a psilocybin dose.

At PATA we define spiritual practice as the connection of yourself to something that is greater than the self. Examples include religious deities, the universe, nature, etc.

A grievance review process would involve a governing board or entity that is able to receive complaints from the public and provide resolution and consequences for any improper actions.

Ceremonial experiences with psilocybin as an experience/session that is part of an indigenous community's spiritual process around using psilocybin. This process usually involves more than taking psilocybin and may include pre, during, and post activities/actions centered around connecting to a natural spirit in their belief system.

In the broader community, the term ceremony or ceremonial experience, refers to a sitter's/guide's personal process for facilitating a session. This may include indigenous practices or be self-created.

These individuals are those that are available to be with you during your PAT or psilocybin session. We do not consider licensed mental health professionals to be sitters or guides if they are providing professional services.

Sitters and guides often have trainings from unregulated private institutions. Please proceed with caution and research and vet your sitter or guide if you do not already know them to make sure they meet your needs.

Informed consent is a process of communication between you and your provider or psilocybin administrator that often leads to agreement or permission for care, treatment, or services. Every consumer has the right to get information and ask questions before procedures and treatments.

**Note, Informed Consents are essentially liability release forms similar to what you would use for sky diving or other potentially dangerous activities designed to absolve the provider of services from liability if harm is received by the consumer or client. Licensed Mental Health Providers are bound by additional safeguards to protect your health and safety.

Oregon Psilocybin Services facilitators are obligated to have you sign an Informed Consent form, with additional documents per the discretion of the licensed facility. Please be aware this may affect you if issues arise during your session/experience.

A concept that refers to the brain’s ability to receive and integrate new information by reorganizing its structure, functions, or connections; brain plasticity or flexibility  

A person whose job or license is to administer a psychedelic substance like psilocybin (like an OPS facilitator, an entheogenic practitioner, or a guide/sitter) 

 The period of time when you may identify and/or discuss why you’re considering psilocybin, learn about the limitations and issues, determine what you want to heal or resolve from using psilocybin, and create goals for your psilocybin experience if you decide to take it. NOTE: Preparation as part of Oregon Psilocybin Services is a different process geared toward preparing a consumer for taking part in OPS at a licensed facility (ex. review of informed consent paperwork and rules/guidelines for the day of administration)

Processing and understanding the thoughts, feelings, and insights gained from using psilocybin after you have used it.    

 Typically this refers to any “altered” state or perception of reality, which can be achieved through various means, from ingesting a substance with psychedelic properties to employing special breathwork (e.g. “holotropic”) techniques  

 When referencing a drug (like psilocybin), this refers to an area's legal decision to refrain from prosecuting an individual's possession of a small amount of a drug. NOTE: Decriminalization does NOT equal legalization and does not refer to the sale of the drug.