The Black Psychedelic Learning Project
Help Us Shape the Future of Psychedelic Therapy
We’re conducting a national research study focused on understanding the experiences of African American trainees in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Training Institutions. This project—called the Black Psychedelic Learning Project—is the first of its kind to explore how culturally inclusive, spiritually resonant, and psychologically safe these training programs are for Black learners.
In addition to hearing from Black learners, we’re collecting data from the training institutions themselves, who are participating in quantitative research to explore and reflect on the efficacy of their own approaches to equity and inclusion.
If you are a self-identified African American individual who has participated in a psychedelic-assisted therapy or counseling training program in the United States, we want to hear from you.
Our Research Approach
Rather than following traditional clinical trial models, the Black Psychedelic Learning Project uses culturally grounded research methodologies rooted in African Psychology and Indigenous Research Methodologies. This means we honor community knowledge, lived experience, and cultural context as central to our research—not secondary.
Our approach is guided by:
- Elder Consultation: We engage a council of elders to help shape and review the study design and ensure cultural alignment.
- Participatory Methods: We prioritize collaboration with Black trainees and community members as active participants in the research process, not just subjects.
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Mixed Methods Design: Combining qualitative interviews and focus groups with quantitative surveys, we aim to capture the full spectrum of experiences within Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Training Institutions.
Why this Matters
Psychedelic-assisted therapy is rapidly growing—but Black practitioners and communities are too often left out of research, training, and leadership. By collecting your stories and experiences, we aim to:
- Identify gaps in current training models
- Publish our findings
- Create recommendations for inclusive program design
- Advocate for change across institutions and funding priorities
Who We Are
The Black Psychedelic Learning Project is led by a collective of therapists, researchers, elders, and community healers committed to equity and transformation in psychedelic science.
- Principle Investigator: Dr. Deidra Somerville, Ph.D
- Research Assistant: Carsten Fisher, M.S.
- Community Coordinator: Ayize Jama-Everett, M. Div
We have secured IRB approval through the community-based Institutional Review Board at the Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies and are working in collaboration with national research partners, community advisors, and training institutions.
We are a grantee of the Psychedelic Mental Health Access Alliance. To learn more about their work click here
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