Jason Luoma, Ph.D.  is Director of Research at the Portland Institute for Psychedelic Science (https://www.pipsinstitute.com/) and CEO of Portland Psychotherapy Clinic, Research, & Training Center in Portland, OR, a social enterprise that generates revenue to support research. He is also Associate Scientist at the Oregon Research Institute and affiliate faculty at the Oregon Health Sciences University.
His research focuses on shame, self-stigma, connection, and the application psychedelic assisted therapy and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) as an intervention for reducing shame and increasing self-compassion. He is currently principal investigator on a clinical of MDMA-assisted therapy for social anxiety disorder and an open trial of psilocybin-assisted therapy for chronic pelvic pain at the Portland Institute for Psychedelic Science. He is also a co-founder of the Oregon Psilocybin Evaluation Nexus (OPEN) a psychedelic research cooperative that is studying the implementation of supported psilocybin services in Oregon.
He is an internationally recognized trainer in ACT and past president of the Association for Contextual Behavioral Science. He has over 90 publications including co-authoring two books: Learning Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Values in Therapy. His work on shame and compassion can be read at www.actwithcompassion.com and his training conducted through www.portlandpsychotherapytraining.com.

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@jasonluoma.bsky.social

‪@pips-crc.bsky.social

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The Open Psilocybin Evaluation Nexus (OPEN): Initial Findings from a Practice-Based Research Network Studying State-Regulated Psilocybin Services

This presentation provides an overview of the Open Psychedelic Evaluation Nexus (OPEN), a community-based, non-commercial research initiative focused on the implementation of state-regulated psychedelic services, with an emphasis on workforce and safety measures in the Oregon model. It begins by contextualizing recent legislative changes, such as Oregon’s 2020 Ballot Initiative, which initiated regulated psilocybin services in 2023. These changes have underscored the need for robust evaluation to guide the future of psychedelic services on both state and national levels.
The first study utilized a three-phase e-Delphi method to develop expert consensus on core structure, process, and outcome measures for psilocybin-assisted treatment (PAT). A panel of 36 experts from clinical, ceremonial, and indigenous settings identified and refined 55 measures, reaching consensus on 22 key indicators, including preparation protocols, safety checks (e.g., boundary setting, touch preferences), and session outcomes (e.g., client-reported benefits and harms). This framework provides an evidence-based approach to measure the quality and safety of psilocybin services.
The second study, conducted from July to November 2023, was a workforce assessment that surveyed facilitators, training programs, and students. It revealed key insights into training duration, financial burdens, and workforce diversity. Challenges like high training costs were noted as barriers to diversity and access. Participants expressed a need for more mentorship and diverse training content. Many highlighted a desire to integrate psilocybin services into healthcare settings, underscoring the importance of clear licensure policies.
Finally, the presentation discusses the development of the OPEN Data Collection Platform, designed to gather demographic, safety, and outcome data from licensed facilitators and their clients. This platform aims to inform safety standards and best practices for psilocybin services, ensuring that these emerging therapies remain safe, equitable, and effective.
This presentation contributes to a larger dialogue among researchers, policymakers, and the public about the future of psychedelic services and their integration into society.