Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
Level 1 Training
Three Core Elements
At the Living Medicine Institute, our trainings are based on three core components:
1) We emphasize applied learning, and our didactic training focuses on the nuts and bolts of doing this work
2) We believe guided and direct experience with the medicine is critical to do this effectively
3) LMI trainings are delivered by some of the most experienced KAP providers in the country.
Overview
In this 16-week intensive, Dr. Newes will weave together the Level One didactic curriculum with multiple experiential ketamine sessions for trainees.
Online live teaching sessions led by Dr. Newes will meet biweekly over 16 weeks. These meetings will build on a video series that outlines the core elements and skills of doing KAP. Ketamine experiences are woven intentionally throughout the training. These further inform the didactic component, while also creating the potential for personal growth.
This training was developed to meet the needs of clinical professionals wanting to learn concrete skills and further explore the medicine, but who do not yet have an active KAP practice.
YES, I WANT IN!
Training Components
The curriculum combines seven experiential sessions with biweekly meetings further expanding on our video-based teaching model over three months. To participate, participants will need to have access to an appropriate ketamine clinic local to you who can safely provide your ketamine experiences.
Teaching, before and after each experiential, is done in a group format via videoconferencing, and you will be part of a closed learning container with your cohort. This will allow more in-depth learning, as well as more personal exploration of your experiences with the medicine.
How It Works
Virtual teaching sessions will be held on alternating Wednesdays 4-6:00 p.m. EST. Between each session, you will schedule an assigned ketamine experience on your own time. Learning points will be taught during sessions and processing opportunity provided, with skills and experiences building on those prior as the training progresses.
YES, I WANT IN!
Winter 2025 Schedule
- 10/8/25: Virtual Teaching Meeting, 4-6 p.m.
- Self-schedule between 10/9/25-10/20/25:Individual IV session at assigned dose.
- 10/22/25: Virtual Teaching Meeting, 4-6 p.m.
- Self-schedule between 10/23/25-11/3/25:Individual IV session at assigned dose.
- 11/5/25: Virtual Teaching Meeting, 4-6 p.m.
- Self-schedule between 11/6/25-11/17/25:Individual IM session at assigned dose.
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11/19/25: Virtual Teaching Meeting, 4-6 p.m.
- Self-schedule between 11/20/25- 12/1/26:Individual IM session at assigned dose.
- 12/3/25: Virtual Teaching Meeting, 4-6 p.m.
- 12/17/25: Virtual Teaching Meeting, 4-6 p.m.
- Self-schedule between 4/3/25-4/15/25:Individual SL session at assigned dose.
- 1/7/26: Virtual Teaching Meeting, 4-6 p.m.
- Self-schedule between 1/8/26-1/19/26: Individual SL or PR session at assigned dose.
- 1/21/25: Final Virtual Meeting, 4-6 p.m.
Curriculum
Each teaching session will be preceded by required pre-recorded video content, covering our entire Level One didactics series over the course of the training. The live teaching deepens the material presented in the videos and weaves the content into the preparation for experientials. The video topics covered are focused on teaching “nuts and bolts” clinical skills needed to begin practice as a KAP therapist.
Between sessions, you will schedule your own individual ketamine experiences at assigned doses and routes of administration. Experientials will allow you to become familiar with multiple ways of using ketamine as a psychedelic and to use your own experiences to track the learning points presented in didactics. We have found that this inter-weaving of both learning modalities anchors the trainees’ new knowledge by allowing a felt sense of the material, rather than a purely intellectual understanding.
You will participate in a total of seven ketamine experiences throughout the training, with different routes of administration. If you have attended the introductory training retreat, you will have completed some of these already.
Homework will be required between each session, with both personal reflection as well as assigned learning points to track during experientials. Homework will be turned in prior to each subsequent session.
Depending on your geographic location, opportunities for paired sitter experiences will be provided and encouraged, allowing for multiple opportunities to act as a sitter therapist for a fellow trainee and practice your emerging new skills.
Upon completion, you will have received: 5+ hours of video lectures, 16 hours of live teaching with staff, 8 hours of in-person workshop time, and 17+ hours of ketamine experientials. Estimated time needed to complete homework is an hour every two weeks- a total of 8 hours.
Instructor
Sandra Newes, Ph.D.
Dr. Sandra Newes is a Licensed Psychologist with over 25 years of clinical experience. She is an experienced psychedelic-assisted psychotherapist and brings a trauma-informed and resiliency focused approach to the work. Dr. Newes is certified through the Living Medicine Institute’s certificate program, where she is currently a co-facilitator. She has also participated in training through the Polaris Institute, Chacruna Institute, the PRATI institute and others, and is a member of the Boston Psychedelic Research Group.
Dr. Newes provides workshops and educational trainings on the intersection of nature connection, trauma and mental health nationally and internationally and is past Chair of the Therapeutic Adventure Professional Group (TAPG) of the Association for Experiential Education (AEE).
Who Should Apply?
Our belief is that the path to becoming an effective KAP clinician builds on a foundation of solid clinical skills. Given this, the training is for licensed clinicians with significant psychotherapy experience or other experienced providers who may be planning to work with a trained therapist.
No prior psychedelic experience is required. However, applicants should feel comfortable with the idea of altered state experiences in a training group setting.
Due to the nature of this work, group size will be capped, and an interview is required.
YES, I WANT IN!
Tuition for the Training (with experientials arranged through a clinic of your choice):
Full Training
$4500
If have attended an LMI Introductory Retreat
$2500
Auditing Only
$1900
See Descriptions Below
Things To Know
How do I apply?
To apply, fill out the form here with:
1. Your professional experience.
2. Your learning goals for the training.
3. Questions you would like answered.
We will then contact you to set up a 20-minute video interview.
YES, I WANT IN!
"This training was transformative and impactful experiential learning. Very well done." R. A.
Level One Participant
"It was exactly what I needed. It was super educational and personally transformative." P. S.
Level One Participant
"Every member of the staff was extremely qualified and just overall awesome. I highly recommend this program." M. M.
Level One Participant