Our Courses
The VulCon Way Curriculum
PREPARATION MODULES
(3 months online)
Module 1: Foundations in Psychedelics and Non-Ordinary States of Consciousness
Introduction to the VulCon Way world of psychedelics and non-ordinary states of consciousness (NOSC) facilitation. This module explores the historical, indigenous, ethical, and legal dimensions of this constantly evolving field, providing students with a solid foundation in understanding the diverse history and the complexities of providing safe and responsible guidance in this realm.
Module 2: Clinical Foundations of Psychedelics and NOSC Facilitation
This module equips students with the essential clinical skills and knowledge to assess and prepare clients for their journey into psychedelics and non-ordinary states. It emphasizes safety, ethics, effective pre-assessment/ assessment techniques, intuition, and includes setting expectations, touch standards and potential mental health concerns and contraindications. This module helps to ensure that students can create a secure, clinically informed, supportive environment for their clients, with primary focus on harm reduction and client suitability.
Module 3: Foundational VulCon Counseling Skills in Psychedelics and NOSC States
Learn foundational, professional and clinical VulCoaching and VulCounseling skills required to guide participants through both safe and sacred transformative spaces of psychedelics and NOSC experiences. This module equips students to navigate the unique and sometimes challenging landscapes of psychedelics and NOSC sessions in order to provide effective participant support. By providing these fundamental techniques of coaching and counseling skills for psychedelics facilitation, students are armed with the unique skill-sets that best support their participants in feeling safe and seen, in order to receive deeply transformative and soulful care.
CEREMONY MODULE
(3 months online PLUS in person retreat)
Module 4: Foundations of Animism, Ancestral Wisdom, Ceremony and the Science of Psychedelics
This module delves into the sacred and ceremonial aspects of working with psychedelics and NOSC. It explores various ancient and cross-cultural elements of ceremony including rituals, practices, sacred allyship, nature-based practices, intuition, sound, and other tools that support the student in facilitating authentic, sacred, and transformative experiences.
Students will also delve deep into the science behind sacred medicines, gaining a profound understanding of their healing potentials. This rigorous educational journey covers everything from pharmacology to the historical and cultural contexts of these substances, ensuring that our learners not only grasp the theoretical aspects but also understand the practical applications of this knowledge. By integrating this scientific insight with sacred space facilitation techniques, our program empowers students to confidently apply their learning in creating and managing sacred spaces. This comprehensive approach ensures that our facilitators are well-equipped to guide others through transformative experiences, bridging the gap between ancient wisdom and modern science.
APPRENTICESHIP MODULE
(Ongoing)
Module 5: Immersion Experiences - Personal Growth and Medicine Immersion Experiences
Module 5 is self paced, for those who choose to continue on the VulCon Way journey toward apprenticeship/internship. This module may be completed alongside aforementioned trainings, and may also continue through the following modules. It is customizable to allow students to meet individual requirements for course completion.
The Medicine Immersion component is a crucial part of our training program. Through hands-on learning in natural settings, as well as group and individual ceremonies, students gain a comprehensive insight into the medicines and their transformative effects.
This module includes students’ accumulation of group and personalized one-on-one experiences focused on medicine and nature immersion. These sessions offer profound and impactful learning opportunities and can be co-created with one or both your instructors and will be explained further once enrolled.
CEREMONY + INTEGRATION MODULES
(5 months online PLUS in person retreat)
Module 6: Level I NOSC and Psychedelics Integration Coaching Course - 2 Months Online
This module equips facilitators with essential skills and tools for effective integration coaching after NOSC and psychedelics sessions. Over eight weeks, facilitators will learn to help clients reflect on their experiences, tackle challenges, and embrace growth opportunities.
Our VulCoaches and VulCounselors in training will learn key points of integration practice including; techniques for enhancing post-session reflections, frameworks to help clients process, deepen, and apply insights and lessons, and strategies for integrating these insights into daily life, improving well-being, relationships, and personal growth.
Facilitators will gain the confidence and ability to create a supportive environment that promotes both immediate improvements and long-term development for their clients.
Module 7: Group Ceremony Skills and Level II Integration Coaching Course - 3-Month Online Plus In-Person Retreat
This module will teach students about the essential skills necessary to facilitate group ceremonies. As well, students will obtain deeper knowledge in advanced integration coaching techniques, following the VulCon Way methodology.
Group Ceremony Skills Training Highlights
Participants will obtain knowledge surrounding group psychology and dynamics in a ceremonial context. We will cover key differences in pre-screening, assessment and safety for groups vs. individual NOSC spaces. Additionally, our students will be provided with information regarding critical safety protocols for group settings as well as strategies to build group cohesion, authenticity and how to handle conflicts within the group. This part of the training will also include techniques to help students manage disruptive participants the VulCon Way. Education and intuitive practices will also be offered in order for our students to feel supported in discovering ceremonial practices that enhance support and healing.
These skills will be practiced at our second in person nature immersion retreat and in group constructs.
Level II Integration Coaching Highlights
During this part of the module, our VulCoaches and VulCounselors in training will learn the following:
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How to navigate post-ceremony group dynamics, intermediate methods for tackling both individual participant and group challenges
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Utilizing these methods to foster positive change
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Skills development practices to create collective sense of acceptance, deepening understanding of healing and connection
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How to foster heart-centered communities that address and heal familial and societal traumas, and build trust and healthy relationships.
Module 7 is designed to equip facilitators with the confidence, skills, and knowledge to successfully facilitate group NOSC and psychedelic ceremonies. In addition, intermediate integration coaching skills will be offered to help facilitators to creating a safe, supportive, and transformative environment for both themselves and for their participants, during and after ceremony.
SHADOW + SUPERVISION MODULE
(ongoing, online PLUS in person retreat)
Module 8: Shadowing, Supervision and Final Immersion Retreat
Module 8 wraps up the first and second phases of our foundational program, with increased focus on putting your skills into action. During this retreat, you’ll have the chance to gain more practice facilitating sessions, both one-on-one and in groups, with the guidance and supervision of experienced mentors.
Students will get safe hands-on, and supervised experience with non-students, and will apply what they’ve learned by facilitating sessions, with options to bring a friend for one-on-one practice or participate in group facilitation. Students will receive personalized feedback and advice from seasoned professionals to refine their techniques.
By the end of Module 8 and the final immersion retreat, our students will find themselves more confident in their abilities to prepare for, facilitate and provide integration work for their participants in NOSC sessions, with deeper understanding of the importance of ethical practices. Thus, increasing their readiness to apply their skills in various NOSC settings.
Community Project: Engage in a community project to apply your skills in a real-world context.
Module 9: Ongoing Supervision, Consultation, and Other NOSC Protocols - Elevate Your Journey to Becoming a VulCoach, VulCounselor or Associate Luminary
Module 9 offers a unique blend of supervision, consultation, and practical application through various NOSC protocols. Our supervisors offer support and ongoing training, assisting students in continuing to nurture and refine their unique tools, methods and facilitation skills. This module is specifically designed for those on the path to becoming Associate Luminaries or VulCoaches, providing a critical stepping stone towards achieving full Luminary or VulCounselor status.
As you continue to shadow and receive ongoing supervision, you'll have the option to engage in take-home NOSC protocols to work with your own participants.
Meet Sheryl Bates
Founder & Lead Consultant
With a wealth of experience in psychedelic therapy and education, Sheryl Bates is dedicated to leading our team with a visionary approach. Her expertise and leadership have been instrumental in shaping our consulting practice.
Meet Jen Harris
Meet Jen Harris
As a partner at Vulcon Consulting Practice - Corin, Jen Harris brings a unique perspective to our team. Her passion for psychedelic integration and therapy is evident in her collaborative approach to our programs.
Meet Alia Khan
Clinical Support Specialist
Alia Khan plays a crucial role as a partner, bringing extensive clinical expertise to our practice. Her dedication to supporting clinics and facilitators has been pivotal in our mission to elevate psychedelic therapy.