Zendo SIT
Specialized Training in Psychedelic Care
December 5–6 • NYC Sitters • Live Online
Subsidized Access for New York Metropolitan Area
Through a donor-backed initiative, Zendo Project is expanding subsidized access to SIT, with a focus on reaching people in New York City and the broader New York metropolitan area, as well as people who support others through crisis and emotional distress.
Don’t need financial aid? Enroll now.
Hear From Our Alumni
Upcoming Cohorts
December 2026
Weekend Intensive
Dates: December 5–6
Time: 8am–12pm PT / 11am–3pm ET
Can’t make these dates? We’ll email you when new cohorts are announced.
“This training has enhanced my professional skills and motivated me to persist in promoting harm reduction and supportive practices in my community.”
—Carlee F.
What You'll Learn
A live online training in compassionate psychedelic peer support.
Zendo SIT is a live online training in compassionate psychedelic peer support that teaches practical skills for creating a safer, more supportive space, staying present without taking over, and supporting someone through difficult emotions and experiences.
Principles of Psychedelic Harm Reduction
Understand the core principles that guide responsible and compassionate support.
Working With Difficult Experiences
Learn effective strategies for navigating challenging or extreme states with empathy and expertise.
Trauma-Informed Frameworks
Develop the sensitivity and integrity needed to support a wide range of clients safely.
Non-Directive Support
Train in the art of holding space, supporting the process without trying to fix or interfere.
The training uses video demonstrations, real-world scenarios, and hands-on practice. It is built around Zendo Project’s Four Principles of Psychedelic Care: Safe Space, Sitting Not Guiding, Though Not Down, and Difficult is Not Necessarily Bad.
Why are there subsidized spots?
We aim to build a learning community that reflects the richness and diversity of the communities we serve. We prioritize expanding access for people who have historically been underrepresented in psychedelic spaces, and those who directly support the well-being of their communities.
Who these spots are for
For this subsidized access program, we especially prioritize:
- People who live, work, volunteer, or serve communities in the New York metropolitan area
- Crisis and community care workers (including people involved in peer support, harm reduction, mental health, first response, outreach, mutual aid, and other forms of direct community support)
This training is for you if:
- You do crisis response, peer support, outreach, or mutual aid work
- You work in harm reduction
- You work nights: venues, festivals, security, medical, front of house
- You are a therapist, social worker, or counselor, licensed or pre-licensure
- You work in a ketamine clinic or a psychedelic-assisted practice
- You are a first responder or medical staff
- You are the friend people call when something goes wrong
- You have taken a Zendo volunteer training before and want to deepen your skills
You do not need to fit all of these categories to apply. We also consider financial need, community role, and how access to this training could benefit the communities you are part of.
No clinical background is required. No psychedelic experience is required.
What you get
Live instruction
8 hours
Across two sessions.
Self-paced material
1 hour
Complete before session one.
Upon completion
Course Completion Award
Signed by Zendo Project’s Director of Education.
“The Zendo SIT course felt as valuable to me for everyday life and relationships as for supporting psychedelic journeys.”
—Kevin C.
Pay what makes this possible for you
Full price for Zendo SIT is $397.
I can pay most of the course fee
$297
Subsidized rate, you save $100
I can pay about half of the course fee
$197
Subsidized rate, you save $200
I require full financial support to participate in this training
$0
Fully subsidized, you save $397
“The facilitators approached the material with both cultural and trauma-informed perspectives, ensuring the education was not only insightful but also respectful and inclusive.”
—Joana C.
Three steps
- Apply
Ten minutes. Tell us about your community role and select the level of support you need.
2. We review
Applications are read on a rolling basis, so earlier is better. You hear back either way.
3. Confirm your spot
If you are awarded a spot, we send a link to complete your enrollment at your tier.
Instructors
Sara Gael, M.A., LPC
Allison Rees (aka Allykat), M.A., LMFT
What past participants say
The SIT course was a meaningful and grounding experience for me, both personally and professionally. It deepened my understanding of what it truly means to “sit” with someone—not to guide, fix, or direct, but to be present, attuned, and supportive in a respectful and non-intrusive way.
—Linda A.
“I’m a clinical social worker with a raver background…This training has not only equipped me with tools to become a better therapist but has also enhanced my ability to support people in all areas of life.”
—Kirkin A.
I cannot overstate the value this training has given me…As an event organizer I was able to directly apply concepts I learned immediately and even in my own personal life.
—Andre H.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to live in New York City?
No. While New York City and the broader New York metropolitan area are priorities for this program, you do not need to live there to apply. We also prioritize people working or volunteering in crisis and community care.
Will choosing a lower tier hurt my chances?
No. Select what you can actually pay. Spots at each level are limited, so the tier you choose affects which pool you are considered in, not how seriously we take your application.
What if I can pay in full?
Enroll directly at $397 and skip the application. Paying full price is part of what funds the subsidized spots.
When will I receive a decision?
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. You will receive a decision within two weeks of the course start time.
Is this a certification?
No. You receive an official Course Completion Award after completing the knowledge checks for the prerequisite material and both live sessions. It recognizes completion, and does not constitute professional certification, clinical training, licensure, credentialing, endorsement, or authorization to provide psychedelic-assisted therapy, medical care, or crisis services.
Do I need a clinical background?
No. The training is built for anyone who may find themselves supporting another person, from licensed clinicians to volunteers and friends.
What if I can't make both dates?
We highly recommend attending both sessions live so you can participate in exercises and discussions and fully immerse yourself in the training. If you need to miss a session, recordings will be available for you to review. To receive the Course Completion Award, you’ll need to complete the required knowledge checks. If you are seeking continuing education (CE) credit, you must attend both sessions live in full.
What if my plans change after I'm awarded a spot?
If you are unable to attend the SIT course, please let us know as soon as you can. [CONFIRM how the standard refund policy applies to subsidized spots: 90% until one week before, no refunds within 7 days, transfers to future sessions allowed.]
Is Zendo Project a nonprofit?
Yes, Zendo Project is a 501(c)(3).