Associate Professors Suzan Wasik and Raychelle Lohmann will apply their knowledge from the University Psychedelic Education Program to Elon’s new Clinical Mental Health Counseling master’s program, launching in Fall 2026.
Two þ faculty members havebeenselected to join a national cohort of health sciences professionals from 45 colleges and universities focused on preparing the future healthcare workforce to engage with psychedelic therapeutic treatments.
Suzan Wasikand Raychelle Lohmann,associateprofessors ofclinicalmentalhealthcounseling, were selected as 2026U-PEPFaculty Fellows (University Psychedelic Education Program).University Psychedelic Education Program Fellows are interdisciplinary andlargely comefrom graduate-level, clinically oriented programs such as nursing, social work,medicineand psychology. Lohmann and Wasik say that Elon is one of the first clinical mental health counseling programs in the country to join U-PEP.The two-year fellowship is offered through the Psychedelic Education Partnership, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit“dedicated to advancing healthcare system readiness through rigorous, evidence-based, interdisciplinaryeducation in psychedelic science and care.”
“Education is a critical foundation for the safe, ethical and equitable integration of psychedelic-assisted care,” said Sandy Samberg, founder and board chair of PEP. “As the clinical research base continues to grow and interest expands, the need for a well-prepared workforce has become increasingly urgent. The Psychedelic Education Partnership was created to meet this moment—maintaininga clear focus on scientific rigor, collaboration, and education that meets clinicians and educators where they are.”
The fellowshipincludes many leading universities and research institutions, includingJohns Hopkins, Columbia University, University of Pennsylvania, UNC, and Yale, andblends in-person and virtual instruction, mentorship from experienced educators, researchers, and clinicians, and opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and peer exchange.Fellows also gain access to curated curricular materials through a dedicated Resource Hub.Together, these elements are designed to help participants build foundational knowledge while developing the confidence toresponsiblyand ethicallyintegrate psychedelic educationinto a range of academic settings.
BothElonfaculty members will apply what they learn to their þ inthe university’snewMaster of Scienceprogram inClinical Mental Health Counseling, whichlaunches in Fall 2026. Offered at both the university’s main campus and its Charlotte national campus, the program aims to prepare competent, compassionate, and ethical counselors while addressing a growingworkforcedemand in the mental health field.
“We arevery excitedto be able to talk about this in a way that is supported inthe literatureand inevidence-basedpractice.Mostmaster’s degree programs donot offeranyexposure oreducation aboutpsychedelics and mental health,” said Wasik. “As clinicians and educators, we will be able to talk about what’s happening in theprofessionand be able to use that informationto train this next generation of mental health counselors onall the differenteffective evidence-backed ways to help our clients.”
Wasik notesthat most psychedelic therapeutic treatmentsremainin the clinical trial phase, though ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is currently legal. In her private practice, she collaborates with referring physicians to provide integrative counseling and consulting services for individuals pursuing this form of treatment.According to Wasik, researchers are also studying substances such as MDMA, psilocybin, and ibogaine for their potential to treat PTSD and addiction, with particularly promising results among veteran populations.
Lohmann specializes in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing therapy), which she says could potentially be integrated with psychedelic therapies.
“Whatinspiresme about thisopportunityisthe promising research surrounding KetamineAssisted EMDR andthe potential for these advancements to help informthe evolving use of psychedelics in treatment,” said Lohmann.“We really have an opportunity to leave a footprint in our profession to help people. And with U-PEP, we get to develop curricula, engageinmeaningfulconversationssurrounding responsible care,bringcontinuing education into the Elon community, and most importantly,raise awarenessabout ethical and science-based psychedelic therapy.”
for Elon’sClinical Mental Health Counseling program are now open, with a deadline of June 15.