The Postgraduate Course in Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy, offered by the Alma Viva Institute, is a program designed for psychologists and psychiatrists who seek to incorporate psychedelic substances as a therapeutic tool in their clinical practice. This program is the first in Brazil, approved by the Ministry of Education (MEC).
Spanning 18 months, this course is conducted in a hybrid format, with most classes delivered online primarily during the last weekend of each month. There are also in-person practical activities that will take place at the Alma Viva Institute in São Paulo, and at partner centres that regularly perform treatments with substances such as ibogaine, ketamine, and ayahuasca.
The course curriculum comprises eleven modules, each focusing on different aspects of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Topics covered range from the anthropological context of traditional societies and the contemporary global scenario to understanding the therapeutic use of various psychedelics such as LSD, MDMA, psilocybin, ayahuasca (DMT), ketamine, and ibogaine. From the second module onwards, students will receive scientific guidance to assist them in creating a dissertation, monograph, or literature review.
Moreover, students will be integrated into a research protocol that involves the use of psilocybin in patients with end-of-life related anxiety, subject to criteria established by the project coordination. The course also includes a psychedelic retreat without the use of substances, focusing on meditation and holotropic breathing, with supervision through two virtual meetings during the program.
This postgraduate program is intended for practising psychiatrists and psychologists with regular registration in their professional bodies. In addition to personal documents for enrollment, a summarized professional curriculum with proven experience in the health field and a written statement outlining personal reasons for joining the program is required for admission.
Overall, the Postgraduate Course in Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy offers a solid foundation for mental health professionals looking to integrate psychedelics into their therapeutic practice. This course is the perfect opportunity to be at the forefront of a revolutionary approach that has the potential to enhance patient quality of life and reduce public health costs.