Is Psilocybin Mushroom Therapy Legal in Colorado? What You Need to Know in 2025

Colorado has taken groundbreaking steps by legalizing psilocybin-assisted therapy, signaling a new era for mental health care in the state. With the potential to transform the therapeutic landscape, this innovative approach comes with its own set of regulations and requirements. Here’s what residents and therapists need to know about the new laws and what they mean for those interested in exploring this form of treatment.

What Are the Certification and Licensing Requirements for Psilocybin Therapy?

The recently enacted regulations in Colorado stipulate that therapists offering psilocybin-assisted therapy must be certified as licensed facilitators. In addition, clinics intending to provide this therapy must apply to become licensed healing centers. However, the application process for these licenses will not commence until December 2024. This means that residents interested in accessing psilocybin therapy will need to wait until the spring or summer of 2025 for most licensed clinics to begin offering services.

How Can You Prepare for Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy?

For those considering psychedelic therapy, Reflective Healing recommends starting with talk therapy. This helps build trust and connection with your facilitator, which is essential when using psilocybin for treating mental health concerns. Spending a few months in talk therapy is an excellent way to prepare for a guided mushroom journey.

At RH, we also offer ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP), an accessible starting point for those new to psychedelic medicines. KAP provides a structured, supportive environment to help clients understand how psychedelics function in therapy. Check out this podcast featuring our founder, Dori Lewis, where she describes the benefits of psychedelic mushrooms and how ketamine can play an important role in psilocybin therapy. 

How to Join Waitlists and Stay Informed?

While psilocybin therapy is not yet available, residents can take proactive steps to prepare for its launch. Reflective Healing encourages interested individuals to subscribe to their newsletter for updates. In addition, we highly suggest that you begin your therapeutic journey with one of our counselors, building a trusting relationship with a therapist who understands your unique needs. Spending a few months developing this connection creates a strong foundation for a deeper, more meaningful psychedelic therapy experience. It also means that when we can offer this treatment, you’ll be one of the first to know and have access to our legal psilocybin services as existing clients will be prioritized once we can offer this kind of therapy. 

When you sign up for our newsletter you’ll receive timely information about the clinic’s progress toward certification and licensing, as well as broader updates on the availability of psychedelic-assisted therapy in Colorado. In the meantime, please consider checking out other psychedelic resources on our website where can learn more about Reflective Healing’s Guided Microdosing Exploration here, or the details surrounding therapeutic psilocybin legality, here.

What Are the Contraindications and Research Gaps in Psilocybin Therapy?

It is crucial to approach psilocybin therapy with an understanding of its limitations. For example, individuals with Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) are generally advised against pursuing psychedelic therapy at this time due to the risk of destabilization. The lack of sufficient research on psilocybin’s effects on BPD highlights the need for caution and further study. In addition, if you are currently prescribed SSRI’s, SNRI’s for anxiety or depression, or any sleep medications or benzodiazepines you may not respond to psilocybin in the same way that those who are not on those medications would. Many psychotropic medications may cause clients to have a limited response or no response to psychedelic mushrooms and clients will need to consider this when talking to a mental health professional about psilocybin therapy. Reflective Healing emphasizes the importance of consulting with trained professionals to assess suitability and potential risks.

We are not suggesting that you stop taking your meds, but please consult with your doctor about the medications that you are on and consider the impact that many prescription medications have on psychedelic journey work.

What Should You Expect from Psilocybin Therapy Sessions?

Once psilocybin-assisted therapy becomes available, clients can expect a process involving multiple stages:

• Consultation:  A first contact phone call or video call with a licensed facilitator to discuss goals and expectations.

• Preparation Sessions: You can expect to have at least 3-6, 45-60min preparation sessions with a counselor before your first psychedelic session to ensure you are fully prepared and that a therapeutic relationship is established. 

• Therapy Session: The guided psychedelic mushroom experience itself, typically conducted in a controlled environment. This is a 5-8hr session that will most likely begin in the morning and go into the late afternoon/early evening. 

• Integration: Follow-up sessions to process and incorporate insights gained during the experience. Reflective Healing recommends at least 2-3 integration sessions and ongoing therapy for individuals with mental health diagnoses. This is essential! Psychedelics themselves do not heal, the ways that you engage with the experience afterwards is where the true magic happens. 

While psilocybin therapy sessions are not yet available, ketamine-assisted therapy remains an accessible alternative, with virtual integration sessions also available for those who prefer remote options.

Where Can I Get Mushrooms?

It is important to note that Reflective Healing does not sell or provide psilocybin mushrooms at this time.  Instead, individuals interested in microdosing or doing their own at home journeys may begin cultivating their own mushrooms and explore resources like the Denver Mushroom Co-op to connect with knowledgeable growers and learn more about the cultivation process.

Once the regulated access model is in full swing by spring or summer of 2025, clients will be able to receive psilocybin mushrooms when they work with a licensed facilitator at an approved healing center. 

What Does the Future Hold for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in Colorado?

Colorado’s venture into psilocybin-assisted therapy holds promise for those seeking new avenues for mental health care. However, patience will be essential as the state finalizes its regulations and clinics work toward certification. In the meantime, residents can explore preparatory options like KAP, join waitlists, and stay informed through trusted providers like Reflective Healing.

For more information, consider scheduling a consultation with an experienced provider or signing up for updates through Reflective Healing’s newsletter. The future of mental health care is on the horizon—and it’s poised to bring profound change to both therapists and those they serve.