🫠 Ask a Guide Anything

Welcome to Tricycle Day. We’re the psychedelics newsletter that’s extremely picky. We’re like a toddler at dinner… but with peer-reviewed studies. 🙂‍↔️

So you've decided to work with a pro. Smart move.

But now you're staring at a list of names and faces, each with their own credentials, specialty, and feather-trimmed fedora. Uh, now what?

So for today’s newsletter, we asked our network of licensed psilocybin facilitators: What should I look for when choosing a psychedelic facilitator?

They lay out the key factors after the jump.

Chariot has been in the game longer than just about anyone in legal psilocybin care.

They opened their Portland center in 2023 (basically day one of Oregon's program). 1,000+ clients later, they're still obsessing over the same things…

Safety, ethics, and making sure your journey doesn't feel like a medical procedure.

Now Chariot’s the only center open in both Oregon and Colorado. Whether PDX or Boulder is more your vibe, we’ve got the hook up.

Mention Tricycle Day during your free consultation for 10% off a session (valid thru Feb 2026).

The most consistent advice was that your body knows. Benjamin Dancer cuts to the chase: “Trust your gut. I reach into my gut to know who I feel safe with.” Ashley Mauldin agrees: “Pay attention to how you feel in conversation. If your nervous system relaxes around them and you feel safe being honest and vulnerable, that's often a good indicator you've found the right match.”

This feeling of safety goes beyond surface-level rapport. Mariah Moncada recommends working with a facilitator “you can relate to on a human-to-human level.” Considering you’ll be “in a vulnerable state for several hours, it is nice to share space with a facilitator that you can trust to show up for you in ways that feel authentically supportive.”

LeTa Jussila offers a clarifying question: “If this journey ends up being difficult for me, who would I want holding the container?”. And Clayton Ickes reminds us what genuine presence looks like: “They should listen to you, be able to empathize with you, and above all connect with you as a human being beyond the problem that you're experiencing.”

Gut feelings matter, but so do credentials and experience. Amy Charlesworth rattles off her checklist, which includes verifiable training from “reputable licensed programs, supervision hours, and CPR/first aid” skills, as well as clarity on scope of practice: “They should be honest about what they are and are not qualified to treat.”

Adam O'Neil stresses the importance of accountability structures: “Ask about their community—who are their teachers? Who do they consult with regularly? I get concerned about lone facilitators because this work is simply too big to do without support.” Be wary of the lone wolf.

Gina Gratza recommends choosing a facilitator with expertise in your specific needs: "If you are looking to work on healing deeper levels of trauma and have fears about any areas that may arise in session, you would benefit from a facilitator with additional counseling education,” such as a “a trauma therapist or a naturopathic doctor.”

The best facilitators don't just tolerate due diligence; they encourage it. Jeremy Nickel advises: “A good facilitator listens deeply, welcomes skepticism, and does not rush you toward insight. They should speak comfortably about risk, not just transformation, and about boundaries, not just breakthroughs.”

Melinda Halpern invites you to ask the tough questions: “Make sure you have a lengthy conversation with the facilitator when you are deciding who to work with. Anyone who isn't giving you the time or answers you need should be avoided.” Jamie Blackburn adds: “Meet with several people to compare and contrast the way they do their intro meetings.” How you do anything is how you do everything.

Finally, Rose Moulin-Franco stresses that this process should be about you, not them: “Look for a facilitator who respects and honors your autonomy,” and “avoid facilitators who bring their own beliefs and opinions into the process.” You should be the one to make meaning from your experience.

Numinus's licensed psilocybin facilitator training includes free supervision and consultation after you graduate. Join one of their Friday info sessions to learn what else sets their program apart.

Remember, you're not picking your soul mate, role model, or new best friend. And for the love of god, please don’t go searching for a guru.

If we accept that a psychedelic journey is fundamentally internal work, then the facilitator's job is to create the conditions where you can turn inward and meet yourself.

The perfect facilitator for you, then, is the one who lets you feel safe enough to do just that.

And one more thing. Anyone who pressures you to book or gets defensive about your questions has already shown you who they are. Thank you, next.

Reply to this email to shoot your shot. If it’s a juicy one, we may select it for a future issue.

That’s all for today, Cyclists! Whenever you’re ready, here’s how we can help.

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DISCLAIMER: This newsletter is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. The use, possession, and distribution of psychedelic drugs are illegal in most countries and may result in criminal prosecution.