FAQ: Volunteering on the Psychedelic Support Line

Volunteering on Fireside Project’s Psychedelic Support Line is the premier experiential training program in the psychedelic field. Volunteers commit to one year of service, during which time they take calls on the support line, receive rigorous supervision, and undergo classroom learning and ongoing training.

Here we share the most frequently asked questions about the volunteer experience. Please read these questions before you email us!

Where can I learn more about the Psychedelic Support Line?

In our FAQ, here.

What is the nature of the commitment to be a volunteer on the Psychedelic Support Line?

• You agree to complete our training, which is discussed in detail below.

• You agree to spend a full year on the Psychedelic Support Line working the same four-hour shift every week. The support line is open every day from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Pacific Time. There are three 4-hour shifts per day, beginning, respectively, at 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m PT. Of course, we understand that life happens, and you can swap shifts due to illness and other life events

• Your year on the support line is a full year of training. Your calls will often be observed by fellow volunteers and supervisors, who will provide you with constructive feedback. To work on the line is to commit to continuing to learn and grow as a psychedelic supporter.

• We understand this is a major commitment, and it’s not for everyone. Before you apply, please reflect on whether now is the right time in your life to make this commitment. 

What do you look for in a Psychedelic Support Line volunteer? Are there any specific qualifications?

• We hire people who we’d trust to support us or the people we love most as they’re navigating psychedelic experiences. We look for people who are grounded, humble, compassionate, kind, emotionally attuned, and culturally competent. 

• We provide “psychedelic” peer support, which means you have to have had your own psychedelic experiences to do this work.

• There are no specific qualifications, degrees, or experiences you’re required to have. That said, past experience providing emotional support is a plus. This can include but is not limited to volunteering on other support lines, providing peer support in other contexts, or working in clinical contexts. Bonus points if you’ve volunteered for organizations like the Zendo Project, PsyCare, or other onsite psychedelic peer support organizations.

When is the next new volunteer training?

We usually run two trainings per year in the fall and in the spring, but that can change! When applications are open for an upcoming training, you can find the application and the training dates here: https://firesideproject.org/join-our-team. Since we don’t have an exact cadence for future trainings, it is best to follow us on socials and sign up for our newsletters, where we always announce upcoming trainings.

What will I learn in the training?

You’ll learn the fundamentals of how to provide psychedelic support at Fireside Project. Modules will include active listening; ethics; confidentiality; personal boundaries; emergency services and suicidality; supporting callers who are tripping, integration and tripsitting; providing trauma-informed care; providing culturally attuned care; and self-care. There will be a mix of asynchronous virtual training presentations, readings, and demonstrations and scheduled virtual live training days including dyads, triads, and discussions.

What if I can’t attend some or all of the Zoom training?

Volunteers must attend the entire Zoom training. If you have to miss some or all of it, you’ll need to re-apply for a future training.

What if I can’t complete the self-paced learning modules on time?

All self-paced learning modules must be completed by the deadline. If you’re unable to do so, you’ll need to re-apply for a future training.

What is the cost of the training?

It’s 100% free. However, if you feel inspired to contribute to the cost of your training, there will be an opportunity to do so.

If I can’t make the next training, when is the training after that?

We don’t know the exact dates yet. Please sign up for our newsletter on our website and follow us on socials to learn of the next dates. We tend to do about three trainings per year.

How do I apply?

Fill out the application here.

Can you please provide an overview of the application process?

Sure thing! 

• The first step is a written application, which you can find here.

• The final step is a 15-minute interview with one of our supervisors.

What happens after the training is completed?

You’ll observe two shifts on the support line and complete a series of practices scenarios with a supervisor. Then, you’ll be ready to start taking calls.