All of the promising research into the potential benefits of psychedelics in mental health treatment depends on having skilled professionals who can create a therapeutic alliance with participants and guide the sessions in which the compounds are administered.We could not have a better Raise the Line guest for understanding this role than Mary Cosimano, LMSW, director of Guide and Facilitator Services at the Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelics & Consciousness Research. Since the genesis of psychedelic research there two decades ago, she has conducted over 500 sessions herself as well as serving as a research coordinator. In this facinating conversation with host Shiv Gaglani, Cosimano discusses how she prepares for and processes the often-taxing sessions, the common themes that emerge from participants, and what qualities effective guides need to have. On that point, she thinks the role needs to be open to chaplains, hospice volunteers and others with the right combination of experience and personal qualities, not just to licensed medical personnel. “What’s more important is who they are, what they've done in their life and career, how much work have they done on themselves, do they have a ready smile, do you feel comfortable with them?” This is a fascinating look into the heart of psychedelic-assisted therapy and the meaningful experiences participants can have when they are in the right hands.  Mentioned in this episode: https://hopkinspsychedelic.org/