“Not knowing when the dawn will come,
I open every door”
— Emily Dickinson
If you or a loved one is suffering from anxiety, depression, PTSD or another behavioral health condition, you may want to explore opening the door to psychedelic-assisted therapy. Psychedelic-assisted therapy embraces a new therapeutic approach rooted in ancient cultures that honored the interconnectedness of the human experience and the natural world. Our indigenous ancestors trusted their sacred medicines and traditions for healing and spiritual enlightenment. Many of these traditions continue today. Acknowledging the profound impact of these natural medicines on emotional well-being and spiritual awakening, contemporary researchers and facilitators continue to seek what the ancient civilizations have known all along.
Respect. Prepare. Trust. Let go.
Pricing for options in Colorado depend on the specific Healing Center policies, the cost of the mushrooms and the services provided by the Facilitator or Clinical Facilitator.
In the regulated model in Colorado, a licensed Facilitator or a licensed Clinical Facilitator must administer the psilocybin mushrooms in a licensed Healing Center, unless the client is under palliative or hospice care, is disabled and cannot travel to a Healing Center or is homebound. In any of those circumstances, the client may receive the dose of mushrooms in their home as long as all of the criteria of 6.18 are met and documented.
Full-Scope Licenses
These licenses allow individuals to provide Natural Medicine Services independently.
Facilitator: Open to anyone who completes the required education and experiential training. This includes but is not limited to Life coaches, Registered Nurses, and member of the Clergy.
Clinical Facilitator: Requires the same training as a Facilitator plus an additional professional license with authority to diagnose and treat medical or behavioral health conditions. This includes Advanced Practice Nurses, Social Workers, Therapists, Counselors, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Medical Doctors or Doctors of Osteopathy or Naturopathic Doctors.
Ancillary Licenses
These licenses do not permit independent practice.
Distinguished Educator: For individuals with substantial experience in Natural Medicine Services. Allows the licensee to offer services only within a training program.
Training License: Available to those who complete 150 hours of required didactic education. Allows the licensee to provide and charge for services only during supervised consultation hours.
Facilitators and Clinical Facilitators may be an employee or an independent 1099 contractor of a licensed Healing Center. The client may be asked to submit payment to the Healing Center or to the Facilitator or Clinical Facilitator. The policies for payment are completely up to either the Healing Center, the Facilitator or the Clinical Facilitator.
Client Records
All the client records will be electronic and stored in a HIPAA compliant manner. The companies that have developed client records are Althea, Homecoming and one from the National Psychedelic Association.
Cost of the Mushrooms
1. Potency
Dehydrated (warm-air dried)
If kept at modest temperatures (often ~40–60 °C / 104–140 °F), potency loss should be modest, but psilocybin/psilocin are heat- and light-sensitive, so very high heat or sun-drying can accelerate degradation.
Properly dried whole mushrooms stored cool, dark, and dry can keep psilocybin quite stable for years in some samples.
Freeze-dried (lyophilized)
In general food science, freeze-drying tends to better preserve delicate bioactive compounds and nutrients than hot-air dehydration because there’s little heat involved.
However, one analytical study on Psilocybe cubensis found psilocybin degraded faster in lyophilized or frozen samples than in traditionally dried whole mushrooms over long-term storage; dried whole fruit bodies kept psilocybin intact for many years.
Big picture on potency:
When both are fully dried and stored well, there isn’t strong evidence that freeze-dried mushrooms are dramatically more potent gram-for-gram than well-dehydrated ones.
Differences in strain, growth conditions, part of the mushroom, and storage conditions likely overshadow any small systematic difference from the drying method itself.
For clients:
Potency differences between the two methods are usually small. Dose consistency comes more from genetics, careful weighing, and proper storage than from the drying method alone.
2. Chemical structure preservation
What both methods are trying to protect
Psilocybin and psilocin degrade with heat, light (especially UV), oxygen, and moisture.
Dehydrated
Uses warm air; this can cause some breakdown of heat-sensitive molecules, especially if temperatures are high or exposure is long.
As with culinary mushrooms, hot-air drying can reduce some bioactive components relative to freeze-drying, although the exact curves for psilocybin/psilocin aren’t fully mapped.
Freeze-dried
Operates at very low temperatures under vacuum, removing water by sublimation. This usually preserves more of the original structure and antioxidants in mushrooms compared with hot-air drying. S
That said, the psilocybin stability study suggests that once you’ve powdered or lyophilized the biomass, the greater surface area and altered matrix may actually speed up psilocybin degradation during multi-year storage, even though the initial process is “gentler.”
So for chemical preservation:
Short term: freeze-drying is likely at least as good, and possibly slightly better, at preserving the exact chemical profile right after drying.
Long term: for psilocybin specifically, whole, conventionally dried mushrooms stored well may be surprisingly stable; powdered or lyophilized material may lose actives faster over years, despite the “high-tech” process.
For clients:
Both methods produce therapeutically effective material. Freeze-drying protects the mushroom’s natural profile slightly better at first, but this difference is not usually noticeable to clients.
3. Cost for Equipment and operating cost
Dehydrators
Typical consumer dehydrators: roughly $50–$300, with some higher-end or semi-commercial units somewhat more.
Low power draw, simple to run, minimal maintenance.
Freeze dryers
Home freeze dryers typically run from about $1,500 up to $5,000+, and small commercial units can exceed that.
Higher electricity use, vacuum pump maintenance, more noise, and a learning curve.
Per-gram cost of finished product
If you’re only dealing with modest quantities, dehydration is vastly cheaper per gram preserved.
Freeze-drying starts to make economic sense mainly for large-scale operations or long-term commercial food storage, not for occasional small batches.
For clients:
Higher cost doesn’t necessarily mean higher quality. Many healing centers use the method that best suits their workflow, lab testing, and regulatory guidelines. What matters most is quality cultivation, responsible preparation, and the skill of the facilitator, not the specific drying technology.
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Individual Sessions using a Harm Reduction Model:
Individual sessions were the protocol that was approved by the FDA for the Phase I, II and III studies on psilocybin and MDMA. This is a deeply personal and introspective experience with a compassionate and experienced facilitator in a private setting. As you travel from your current consciousness through unknown territory to the core of your being, new insights or possibly visual images may begin to emerge. Trust that the medicine will take you as far as you need to go while the psychedelic facilitator ensures you are safe. After your Preparation Sessions, you’ll be ready to take your journey. While you may be nervous, your only job on Administration Day is to “just let go.” You will have the undivided attention and support of your facilitator(s). You will begin your journey to a non-ordinary state of consciousness after about 45 minutes elapse.
It is never clear what experiences may emerge from your altered state of consciousness but your facilitator is equipped and experienced to guide you through whatever comes up. An individual session allows you to be who you are, feel what you feel and say what you need to say in a private space reserved just for you.
The space and time with the facilitator is for self-discovery and for the plant medicine to reveal what your unconscious mind intends to be revealed to you at that moment in time. This transformative process can foster emotional and/or spiritual liberation, may expose new insights and fresh perspectives that empower you to make positive changes in your life. The experience may cultivate a deeper connection to your true self and to those you care about.
How does the Harm Reduction Model work within the Colorado Regulated Model?
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSA) explains, “Harm reduction is an evidence-based approach that is critical to engaging with people who use drugs and equipping them with life-saving tools and information to create positive change in their lives and potentially save their lives. Harm reduction is a key pillar in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Overdose Prevention Strategy.” https://www.hhs.gov/overdose-prevention/
“Harm reduction emphasizes engaging directly with people who use drugs to prevent overdose and infectious disease transmission; improve physical, mental, and social wellbeing; and offer low barrier options for accessing health care services, including substance use and mental health disorder treatment.” https://www.samhsa.gov/substance-use/harm-reduction
The Zendo Project is a harm-reduction program founded by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). It provides psychedelic peer support at festivals, events, and community gatherings where people may have overwhelming or challenging experiences with psychedelics. Zendo responders are trained to offer compassionate, non-judgmental support without using restraints, medications, or coercion. Their approach is grounded in trauma-informed care, mindfulness, and psychological safety. Their philosophy is based on the belief that a difficult psychedelic experience is not necessarily a “bad trip” but can become meaningful when handled with skill, grounding, and connection.
The Zendo Project’s Four Principles
1. Create a Safe Space
Help the person feel physically and emotionally secure. This involves a calm environment, gentle presence, and protection from overstimulation or potential harm.
2. Sitter, Not Rescuer (Non-Interference)
Support the person without trying to control or fix the experience. The sitter is a grounded companion, not a guide or therapist. They allow the process to unfold naturally.
3. Talk Through, Not Talk Down
Encourage the person to explore their feelings rather than suppressing or dismissing them. Instead of saying “You’re fine,” the sitter helps them describe what they’re experiencing, which builds trust and reduces fear.
4. Difficult is Not the Same as Bad
Reframe challenging experiences as potentially meaningful or transformative. Discomfort doesn’t mean danger; struggle can be part of healing. This mindset helps reduce panic and fosters resilience.
With Metanoesis Care, the SAMHSA guidelines will be followed as well as the Zendo Principles and the Psychedelic Risk Reduction Coaching Model developed by TripHōm for the Preparation, Administration and Integration sessions (triphom.com). Practically speaking, this means that the client will be introduced to a trusted source of de-hydrated or freeze-dried psilocybin mushrooms that are cultivated to the highest standards and tested for purity and concentration based on Department of Revenue Regulations. Carolyn, who also has a Handler’s license will bring the unopened packages of the mushrooms to the Administration Session, where the client will receive supportive care and risk reduction strategies during their journey.
Estimated costs for a Solo Journey (costs are subject to change in 2026)
TLC Healing Center in Breckenridge, CO: average cost for my clients has been $2450. TLC has a set charge of $800 for the Healing Center room rental + the cost of mushrooms. I can begin journeys there around 5:30pm Monday - Friday and all hours on Saturday and Sunday.
Rose Healing Center in Lone Tree, CO: average cost for my clients has been $2000 and this included the dehydrated mushrooms from Druid’s Choice. Flexible hours Monday - Friday.
NeuroBloom in Basalt and Aspen, CO: NeuroBloom ONE DAY JOURNEY for individuals or couples: $3400 per person with facilitator - includes medical screening, one prep session, journey day, and first integration session (complimentary per state law). Cost is per person. Limit: 2. plus the cost of mushrooms.
I’m constantly seeking the best deals for the best mushrooms. I’ve used the freeze-dried mushrooms from Psylutions and the dehydrated mushrooms from Druid’s Choice. We’ll discuss what type you’d prefer to take and I’ll get them for you.
REFERENCES:
Beug, M. W. (2021). Long-term stability of psilocybin and psilocin in Psilocybe mushrooms. Presentation at the Telluride Mushroom Festival.
Ciurzyńska, A., Kowalska, H., Marzec, A., Lenart, A. (2016). Effects of drying methods on the physical properties of mushrooms. Drying Technology, 34(17), 2112–2123.
Gotvaldová, K., Hájíček, J., Borovička, S., Jurok, R., & Církva, V. (2021). Stability of psilocybin and its analogs in magic mushrooms. Journal of Natural Products, 84(8), 2211–2220.
Hasler, F., Grimberg, U., Benz, M. A., Huber, T., & Vollenweider, F. X. (2004). Acute psychological and physiological effects of psilocybin in healthy humans: A double-blind, placebo-controlled dose–effect study. Neuropsychopharmacology, 29(3), 339–350.
Krokida, M. K., & Philippopoulos, C. (2005). Rehydration of dehydrated foods. Journal of Food Engineering, 67(3), 291–300.
Kumar, K., Ganeshamoorthi, P., & Pandiselvam, R. (2015). Effect of drying methods on the quality characteristics of mushrooms: A review. Journal of Food Science and Technology, 52(8), 4705–4711.
Mujumdar, A. S. (Ed.). (2014). Handbook of industrial drying (4th ed.). CRC Press.
Nichols, D. E. (2016). Psychedelics. Pharmacological Reviews, 68(2), 264–355.
Shirota, O., Hakamata, W., Goda, Y., & Maitani, T. (2003). Stability of psilocybin and psilocin in solution under various conditions. Forensic Science International, 138(1–3), 85–90.
Tylš, F., Páleníček, T., & Horáček, J. (2014). Psilocybin—Summary of knowledge and new perspectives. European Neuropsychopharmacology, 24(3), 342–356.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). (2020). Food drying and preservation guidelines. United States Department of Agriculture.
Harvest Right. (2023). Home freeze dryer technical specifications and pricing. Harvest Right LLC.
Excalibur Dehydrators. (2023). Product specifications and pricing. Excalibur Products.
Group Sessions Cost Less and Promote Social Connections that can Enhance Integration and Improve Well-Being.
The use of psychedelics in a group session for religious or ceremonial purposes dates back centuries (1). It was through one of these traditional practices— the Mazatec communal ritual of the velada— that American researchers first learned of the psychoactive properties of the Psilocybe mexicana mushroom with Maria Sabina (2). Ayahuasca and San Pedro ceremonies are still offered in group sessions in the US and abroad.
Besides a significant cost savings, there are studies that found additional benefits of group sessions (3) in HIV survivors (4), (5) and in cancer patients with depression. (6) I believe there will be additional benefits for group sessions with Substance Use Disorder and for Complicated Grief.
A recent study from The Imperial College of London, led by doctoral student Hannes Kettner, has shown that the Social Dimension of psychedelic ceremonies, such as the one shown above in an episode of Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel, led to increased psychological well-being and social connectedness in participants (7). The team of researchers introduced and validated a modified measure used to assess “experiences of perceived togetherness and shared humanity,” referred to as the Communitas Scale. Kettner explained that “while in clinical one-on-one settings, the relationship between the facilitator and client is quite defined, a group setting can potentially act as an equalizer.” The researchers stated, “The interesting thing about this Communitas construct is that we observed this dissolution of hierarchies and boundaries and social roles, which you wouldn’t expect to see when there’s a predefined relationship between doctor and patient, or guide and journeyer.”
They concluded, “this experience of Communitas during psychedelic sessions emerged as a significant predictor of long-term improvements in well-being and mental health outcomes several weeks later, pointing towards a therapeutic potential unique to group settings of psychedelic use.”
Photo Courtesy HBO and Forbes
I’m planning Group Session opportunities for “low-dose” psilocybin journeys at TLC Healing Center - “micro-dosing.”
Stay tuned for details!
1) Guerra-Doce E. (2015). Psychoactive Substances in Prehistoric Times: Examining the Archaeological Evidence. Time and Mind 8 (1): 91–112.
2) Sabina M, and Wasson RG. (1974). María Sabina and her Mazatec mushroom velada. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich.
3) Trope A, et al. (2019). Psychedelic-Assisted Group Therapy: A Systematic Review. J Psychoactive Drugs 51(2):174-188.
4) https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(20)30282-0/fulltext
5) Stauffer CS, et al. (2020). Psilocybin-Assisted Group Therapy and Attachment: Observed Reduction in Attachment Anxiety and Influences of Attachment Insecurity on the Psilocybin Experience. ACS Pharmacol Transl Sci 4(2):526-532.
6) James W. (1903) The Varieties of Religious Experience: A Study in Human Nature, Longmans, Green and Company, London, England.
“Man can learn nothing except by going from the known to the unknown.”
- Claude Bernard*
*Known as the Father of Experimental Physiology, which led to the understanding of ‘homeostasis’
Embark on your journey towards wholeness.
Whether you’re ready to dive into the sessions, or you’d like to talk further about the benefits and risks, schedule your free consult today and Carolyn will be in touch to answer all of your questions!