Individual Psilocybin Facilitation

Legal psilocybin care in Denver, Colorado.

A trauma-informed, relational approach grounded in the wisdom of your body and respect for the medicine.

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The Work

Holding many ways of knowing in relationship.

I offer individual psilocybin facilitation within a licensed healing center in Denver, Colorado, where I am authorized by the state to facilitate legal psilocybin services as a Colorado Licensed Natural Medicine Facilitator.

Psilocybin is both medicine and teacher. Modern research is just beginning to understand psilocybin as a neuroplastogen, creating greater openness to new patterns, perspectives, and meaningful change. But this medicine is not new to our ancestors: psilocybin-containing mushrooms are native to regions all over the world, with human relationships to these medicines reaching back thousands of years.

Working with plant medicines can deepen connection to the body, bring new awareness to emotions and memories, shift how we understand ourselves and the world, and open experiences of awe and transcendence. People come to this medicine carrying mental and chronic illness, grief, transition, disconnection, spiritual suffering, or simply a longing to know themselves more deeply. All of this is welcome here. Psilocybin can invite us back into relationship with ourselves and help us remember the wisdom we already carry. The medicine lives in the mushroom, but it can also help us remember the medicine within ourselves.

I understand healing as something that happens in relationship—to ourselves, our bodies, one another, our communities, our ancestors, the Earth, and her medicines. The relationship we build together is one part of this larger web, and I approach it with deep respect for your autonomy, agency, and inner knowing. There is room here for all parts of you and whatever may arise. My role is to listen deeply, attune to your body and nervous system, and tend with you to our relationship with the medicine.

This work lives at the meeting place of many worlds: science and spirit, psychology and somatic wisdom, modern practice and ancient ways of relating to plants, land, and altered states of consciousness. I hold these ways of knowing with reverence for what each can offer and humility around what I do not know. Ancestor work is deeply personal to me, shaped by lineages that taught me from a young age to honor those who came before us. When invited, there is space for ancestry, culture, and lineage to be part of our work too. More than anything, I hope to create a space where you feel safe to have the experience that is right for you, whatever that may look like.

The Arc of the Journey

The session is part of a larger arc.

Working together typically includes three phases, each designed to support a thoughtful relationship with the experience rather than treating the session as an isolated event.

Before

Preparation

Before any psilocybin session, we spend time building relationship with each other, the medicine, and the experience to come. We talk honestly about intentions, hopes, fears, questions, safety, and what the process may ask of you.

Sharing about your background
Nervous system grounding and regulation
Informed consent and discussion of potential risks
Exploring your relationship to the medicine
Intention setting

During

Administration

The psilocybin session takes place within a licensed healing center in Colorado. My role is mostly non-directive, giving you space to follow your own experience while remaining present and attuned to what you may need. I tend to safety and the environment, offering grounding, reassurance, or a steady presence when support is wanted.

Every journey unfolds differently. My approach is trauma-informed and rooted in respect for your autonomy and the intelligence of your body and the medicine. I hold the experience with reverence for the Earth and the ancestral relationships that have carried these medicines across generations.

After

Integration

In many ways, the real work begins after the session. Integration is where insights, emotions, and questions from the experience are explored and woven into daily life.

Sessions may include reflective dialogue, somatic awareness practices, mindfulness, or creative expression. The goal is not to interpret your experience for you, but to help you stay in relationship with what emerged and create meaningful change in your life.

Meaningful change of ingrained habits takes time and patience.

Research

What the Science Says

Psilocybin research offers a window into emerging evidence while recognizing that research findings do not predict any one person's experience or outcome. Here are some highlights from some of my favorite studies:

Many healthy participants described their psilocybin experience as one of the most meaningful events of their lives, with lasting positive changes

Over 60% rated the experience among the top 5 most meaningful of their lives. At 14 months, 58% continued to rate it among the top 5.
64% said it increased their sense of well-being or life satisfaction.
The majority reported positive changes in attitudes and behavior, sustained well beyond the acute period.

Griffiths et al. (2006). Psychopharmacology, 187(3), 268–283.

Psilocybin therapy was compared with a common antidepressant for people with major depression

The primary depression outcome did not show a statistically significant difference between groups at 6 weeks.
Several secondary depression and well-being measures favored the psilocybin group.
The study was relatively small and the secondary outcomes were not corrected for multiple comparisons.

Carhart-Harris et al. (2021). New England Journal of Medicine, 384(15), 1402–1411.

Most people with major depression who received psilocybin-assisted therapy felt significantly better within a month

About 71% showed a clinically significant response at 4 weeks.
About 54% were in remission at 4 weeks.
The antidepressant effect size was large in this small randomized clinical trial.

Davis et al. (2021). JAMA Psychiatry, 78(5), 481–489.

Many participants treated with psilocybin for depression were still feeling significantly better one year later

75% maintained a treatment response at 12 months.
58% remained in remission at 12 months.
No serious adverse events were reported as related to psilocybin in the follow-up period.

Gukasyan et al. (2022). Journal of Psychopharmacology, 36(2), 151–158.

People facing life-threatening cancer experienced substantial reductions in anxiety and depression after psilocybin treatment, with benefits lasting for months

67% rated the experience among the most meaningful of their lives.
Approximately 80% showed clinically significant decreases in depressed mood or anxiety at 6 months.
Benefits were observed alongside structured psychological support.

Griffiths et al. (2016). Journal of Psychopharmacology, 30(12), 1181–1197.

Harm Reduction & Cultural Awareness

Plant medicines carry complex histories, relationships, and responsibilities.

Psychedelic medicines did not originate in Western therapeutic settings. They come from long histories of relationship between people, land, culture, and lineage. I approach this work with humility and respect for the people, cultures, lands, and lineages that have stewarded this knowledge across generations.

This means acknowledging that modern psychedelic practice also exists within complicated histories of colonization, appropriation, and commercialization.

I believe access to plant medicines is a human right, but I also believe that we share responsibility for creating a more sustainable, reciprocal, accessible, and ethical psychedelic culture.

I am committed to practicing anti-oppressive and decolonial approaches within the realities and limitations of the systems I work within. I understand this not as a destination, but as a lifelong practice of learning, unlearning, listening, accountability, and change.

Stories

From people I've had the honor of walking alongside.

“Working with Maria was truly one of the most magical and deeply impactful experiences of my life. From the moment I met her I felt safe, seen, and gently held in a way that allowed me to fully surrender to the journey.”

— Hillary

“I am forever thankful for everything Maria has done for me. She was able to meet me where I was at mentally and spiritually and was able to open doors for me I didn't think were possible.”

— Christian

“When my life was upended by a chronic illness, I at first felt really lost navigating new themes like ableism and exclusion, accessibility, deep grief. Working with Maria helped me to metabolize a lot of these experiences and find my way through it.”

— Nicole

Frequently Asked Questions

Curiosity is welcome here.

Where do psilocybin sessions take place?

Administration sessions take place at a state-licensed healing center in Colorado. We can talk together about which licensed center best fits your needs, preferences, accessibility, and overall session.

What does working together include?

Our work includes preparation before the psilocybin experience, support throughout the administration session, and integration afterward. The amount of preparation and integration is individualized rather than built around a single package.

How much psilocybin will I take?

There is no single dose that is right for everyone. During preparation, I’ll help you understand your options, including what different doses may involve, potential risks, and how your intentions, previous experiences, and concerns may inform your decision. Informed consent means having the information you need to make that choice for yourself. Ultimately, you decide what dose feels right for you, and I am there to support you in making that decision. Your agency, autonomy, and consent remain central throughout the process.

Do I need to have a mental health diagnosis?

No. People come to psilocybin for many different reasons, including grief, transition, disconnection, spiritual exploration, curiosity, or a desire to know themselves more deeply. A diagnosis is not required simply to be curious about this work.

Is psilocybin right for everyone?

No. Psilocybin carries real risks and may not be appropriate for everyone. Colorado's regulated process includes required screening and informed consent before administration. During our connection and preparation process, we can talk openly about your health history, medications, concerns, and whether moving forward is appropriate within my scope and Colorado's requirements.

What if something difficult comes up during my session?

Difficult emotions, memories, or sensations can arise during a psilocybin experience. You do not have to navigate those moments alone. I remain present with you throughout the session, attentive to your physical and emotional safety and to what your nervous system may need. If things become difficult, I can offer grounding, reassurance, co-regulation, or simply a calm and steady presence alongside you. Challenging experiences are welcome here, and we can meet them together with curiosity and care. I also invite you to leave room for the possibility of things going right. In a supportive setting, psilocybin experiences can also feel gentle, comfortable, joyful, or deeply affirming. Challenging moments can occur, and we prepare for that as thoughtfully as possible, but you do not have to expect difficulty in order for the experience to be meaningful.

How many preparation, psilocybin, and integration sessions will I need?

There is no single number that is right for everyone. How we structure our work depends on your goals, previous experience with psychedelics, the support you already have in place, how you respond to the medicine, and what is financially accessible for you. When possible, I prefer a slower relationship with the medicine rather than placing pressure on one experience to accomplish everything. For someone who has never worked with psilocybin, this might mean beginning with a microdose or low-dose experience before considering a higher dose in a later session. This gives you an opportunity to become familiar with the medicine and gives us information about how you respond before making decisions about subsequent experiences. This is also why my retreat model includes three psilocybin experiences at different dose levels, with time between them. That does not mean you need three psilocybin sessions. Some people may choose one, while others may benefit from working with the medicine more than once. If one administration session is what is appropriate or financially possible for you, we can thoughtfully work within that. Preparation and integration are also individualized. I require appropriate preparation and integration around the experience, but I do not believe all of that support necessarily has to come from me. If you already work with a psychedelic-informed therapist or have another appropriate support system, we can consider that when deciding what support you need from me. The goal is not to sell you a certain number of sessions; it is to make sure you are adequately prepared, supported, and able to integrate the experience afterward.

What happens before I’m approved for an administration session?

Safety begins before we ever enter the administration room. Colorado’s regulated process includes required screening and informed consent, and I will spend time learning about your medical and mental health history, medications, previous psychedelic experiences, and anything else that may affect your experience or safety. If something raises a concern or falls outside my scope, we slow down rather than push forward. I may ask to speak with an appropriate medical or mental health professional, with your permission, or ask you to consult with one before we decide whether moving forward is appropriate.

Do you offer virtual preparation and integration?

Yes. Most preparation and integration sessions can be done virtually, which allows us to work together even when you are not in Denver. When possible, I love having at least one in-person session together before administration so we have an opportunity to build relationship face-to-face. I also offer nature-based preparation and integration, such as meeting for a hike, when that feels supportive and accessible for you.

What if I have special medical or emotional needs?

Please tell me. I do not assume that chronic illness, disability, or mental health concerns automatically mean psilocybin is not an option; whether it is appropriate depends on the individual, their history, and the support needed. With your permission, I am happy to speak with your doctors, therapists, or other members of your care team to better understand your needs and, when appropriate, create a thoughtful support plan together. If your needs are within my scope of practice, I will do my best to make the experience as safe, accessible, and responsive to you as possible. If something falls outside my scope, I will be transparent about that and help identify what additional support may be needed before moving forward.

How much does facilitation cost?

Pricing is individualized because each person’s needs and level of support are different, and healing center costs can also vary. I consider financial circumstances and work to keep services as accessible as possible. Pricing will always be transparent, and you’ll know what to expect before deciding to move forward. A free connection call is the easiest way to talk through what your care and overall cost could look like, but even just shooting me an email with some information (such as why you’re approaching this work, a little bit about your medical and mental health background, your experience with psychedelics, whether you already have a psychedelic-informed therapist or support system or would need more integration support, and whether you have a financial need for lower-cost care) will usually give me enough information to provide you with a quote pretty easily.

Who Will Be Supporting Me?

A little more about who you're sitting with.

Mária Nguyễn (she/her) is a plant medicine facilitator, clinical psychology doctoral student, nonprofit founder, and community advocate whose work sits at the intersection of psychedelic medicine, collective healing, science, and social justice. At the heart of her work is a commitment to creating accessible and culturally responsive pathways to psychedelic care for communities historically excluded from the field, working toward a more equitable landscape of healing for diverse bodies.

Mária is a Colorado Licensed Natural Medicine Facilitator with a background spanning biomedical science, mental health, medicine, and trauma-informed care. She has completed professional psychedelic facilitation training in Oregon and Jamaica, alongside additional experiential education across the United States, Europe, and Asia. She has supported individuals and groups through psychedelic preparation, facilitation, and integration, bringing scientific rigor together with deeply relational, human-centered care.

She is currently pursuing a PhD in Clinical Psychology, where her scholarly interests center on decolonial approaches to mental healthcare and the potential role of psychedelic therapies in healing intergenerational trauma and disrupting cycles of suffering.

Mária is also the founder of the Ancestra Foundation, a women-of-color-led nonprofit working to expand access to plant medicine-supported mental health care. Across her clinical, academic, and community work, she approaches psychedelics not simply as interventions, but as catalysts for individual, ancestral, and collective transformation.

Pricing is individualized.

Psilocybin services are tailored to each person, so I do not offer a single set package price. This allows pricing to reflect the level of support that is actually appropriate for you. The amount of preparation and integration support, your individual needs, and the licensed healing center that best fits your session can all shape the overall cost.

Before providing a cost estimate, I’ll need to know a little about you and what you’re looking for (such as why you’re approaching this work or what changes you're hoping to make, relevant medical and mental health background, your experience with psychedelics, whether you already have a psychedelic-informed therapist or other support system or would need more integration support, and whether you have a financial need for lower-cost care). This helps me understand how many preparation and integration sessions are appropriate so I can give you a more accurate estimate. Some people with certain goals or medical backgrounds may need multiple administration sessions as well, as safety matters more to me than speed.

I believe plant medicines are a human right and that everyone who feels called to this work deserves safe and supported access. At the same time, I recognize that we are working within regulated systems and licensed healing centers that carry unavoidable costs. Within those realities, I do my best to keep my services affordable and accessible, particularly for people experiencing financial barriers.

Pricing will always be transparent. Reach out or book a connection call, and we can talk openly about the support you may need, your financial circumstances, and what the overall cost could look like before you decide whether to move forward.

Connection Call

Curiosity can be the first step.

I know reaching out can sometimes feel like a big first step, so I try to keep these calls casual and human. We can talk about what you’re looking for, any questions or concerns you have, and whether psilocybin feels like the right fit for you. There’s no pressure to commit to anything.