Everything you need to know about CPACT

CPACT is a 200-hour, 12-month hybrid certification for therapists and health professionals. It combines evidence-informed clinical training with contemplative and experiential practice, preparing professionals to work ethically and skilfully within emerging psychedelic-assisted therapy models.

CPACT is designed for qualified mental health and health professionals — including psychologists, psychotherapists, counsellors, social workers, psychiatrists, GPs, and allied health practitioners — who want to deepen their capacity to hold psychedelic and contemplative therapeutic spaces.

Yes. CPACT is strictly for professionals already working in a clinical or therapeutic field. It is not a personal development or recreational programme, and it is not open to the general public.

CPACT integrates three pillars: rigorous clinical preparation, contemplative and somatic grounding, and relational ethics. The programme also emphasises the SWIM model — Somatic, Wisdom, Interdependence, and Metacognition — as a framework for practice.

Applicants must hold a current professional registration or membership in a relevant mental health, medical, or allied health discipline, along with appropriate professional indemnity insurance. If you are unsure about your eligibility, please contact us before applying.

CPACT is designed for practising professionals. Final-year students may be considered on a case-by-case basis if they can demonstrate current client contact and appropriate supervision arrangements.

No prior psychedelic experience is required. However, a sincere interest in contemplative practice and a willingness to engage in personal reflection is essential. The programme includes experiential components that support your own inner development.

CPACT is delivered through a hybrid model: live online intensives, self-paced modules, small group practice, and an in-person immersion. This structure supports both theoretical learning and embodied skill development.

The programme spans 12 months and requires approximately 200 hours of structured learning, including contact hours, practice sessions, reflection, and assignments. Many participants also dedicate time to personal contemplative practice.

Our next cohort journeys from October 2026 to March 2027. Dates for live online intensives and the in-person immersion are provided upon enrolment.

Yes. CPACT is PACFA Category A CPD endorsed. It is also recognised by a growing number of professional bodies for continuing professional development.

SWIM stands for Somatic, Wisdom, Interdependence, and Metacognition. It is a practical framework that supports therapists to work with embodied awareness, ethical discernment, relational context, and reflective capacity in psychedelic and contemplative therapies.

Assessment includes reflective essays, case-based discussions, skills demonstrations, and a final integrative project. The emphasis is on applied learning and ethical reasoning rather than rote memorisation.

Electives include Yin Yoga, Breathwork, Herbalism, ACER (Acceptance, Compassion, Ethics, and Resilience), Peru Dieta, and Beckley Retreats. Each elective deepens a specific contemplative or experiential domain.

CPACT includes 100 hours of core training plus 100 hours of contemplative electives. You can choose electives that align with your professional interests and client population.

Some electives are open to professionals outside the full CPACT cohort, subject to eligibility and availability. Please check the individual elective page for details.

Teaching Retreats are immersive experiences led by First Nations curanderos of the Ashaninka lineage. They offer a culturally grounded introduction to dieta and plant-spirit apprenticeship, distinct from the clinical CPACT curriculum.

The Peru Dieta elective is an optional elective pathway within CPACT. Other retreat offerings may be taken separately as professional development or personal retreat experiences.

Our teaching retreats are guided by experienced curanderos of the Ashaninka lineage, supported by a Spanish interpreter and Anam Cara faculty. Full biographies are available on the Teaching Retreats page.

Course fees are available on the application page and in the course syllabus. We offer payment plans to support accessibility. A non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place.

Yes, a limited number of scholarships are available for each cohort. These are awarded on the basis of financial need, community impact, and alignment with Anam Cara’s values. Applications are assessed confidentially.

Refund terms are set out in the enrolment agreement. Generally, deposits are non-refundable, and tuition refunds are tiered based on the notice period given before the programme begins. Please review the full policy before enrolment.

No. CPACT prepares you to provide preparation, integration, and therapeutic holding within legal and ethical frameworks. The administration of psychedelic substances is restricted to approved clinical settings and regulated practitioners.

Anam Cara Centre is committed to harm reduction, cultural humility, consent, and professional accountability. We align with AMAPP’s position statement on psychedelic-assisted therapy and expect all participants to uphold these standards.

Graduates will be well prepared to support preparation and integration within their scope of practice. The legal landscape for psychedelic-assisted therapy is evolving, and practitioners must work within the regulatory framework of their jurisdiction.

Participants receive peer and faculty support throughout the programme. Additional individual supervision may be arranged depending on your learning plan and professional requirements.

Click the Apply Now button on the homepage, or contact us to request the CPACT course syllabus and application form. We review applications on a rolling basis and may invite you to a brief conversation.

You can reach us through the Contact page. We welcome thoughtful questions about fit, eligibility, and the programme structure.