In episode 268 of The Psychedelic Podcast, as well as a supporting webinar, Chris Villar discussed his journey from entrepreneur to executive coach, one that took him from multi-million-dollar endeavors into a world where he felt more fulfilled, experiencing both personal growth and professional development. In episode 219, Laureen Mugglebee spoke about a similar journey, stating that she had “everything you could want on paper. And it wasn’t making [her] feel alive”.

It’s a transition that an increasing number of entrepreneurs, executives, and other professionals are making as they seek to make a difference in the rapidly expanding and increasingly lucrative world of psychedelic coaching.

But why is this career path resonating with so many people right now, and is it lucrative enough to draw others away from high-paying and high-responsibility roles?

The Growing Demand for Psychedelic-Informed Coaches

Psychedelics have experienced a resurgence in the 2020s. In 2023, 3.1% of Americans admitted to taking psilocybin, accounting for around 8 million people. Furthermore, while traditional psilocybin experiences were rooted in moderate-to-high doses and recreational experiences, close to half of that 3.1% opted for microdoses. (1)

This is partly driven by increased research into the benefits of psychedelics, including trials that suggest this class of compounds could alleviate the symptoms of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, among other conditions. (2)(3)(4)

The legal landscape has also changed for psychedelics, and more celebrities are opening up about their experiences, including prominent figures like Joe Rogan and Elon Musk. (5)(6)

Some turn to psychedelics as a way of managing symptoms of treatment-resistant disorders or as an alternative to conventional medications. Others believe that plant medicines like psilocybin and LSD can boost their creativity, leading to increased use among executives. (7)

Chris Villar witnessed this popularity very early on in his coaching career, noting that “As soon as I added psychedelics to my website, it came up in every discovery call.”

Not only has consumption increased, but the rise in microdosing and psychedelic integration suggests that much of that use is considered and responsible. People don’t just want an experience they can enjoy and then recite to friends for years to come. They want a meaningful experience that can have a positive impact on their mindset and lifestyle, so many are choosing to work with psychedelic coaches like Villar and Mugglebee.

Pathways to Revenue

Not only can psychedelic coaches benefit from a steadily increasing customer base and a growing respect for plant medicines, but they can also tap into various revenue streams, as discussed by Chris Villar on the Psychedelic Podcast:

1-on-1 Coaching Containers

One of the biggest turning points for Villar came when he transitioned from hourly sessions to coaching containers.

A container is a structured coaching program with a defined beginning, middle, and end. Value is defined as outcome-based and not time-based. In other words, the client can gradually move toward their goal and has clear direction every step of the way, as opposed to simply booking blocks of hourly sessions.

It’s beneficial for the coach as well, as they can charge a premium for predefined containers. They earn a guaranteed income from each client and have more time to work with that client and ensure their needs are met.

Preparation and Integration

In the webinar linked at the top of this guide, Villar discussed initial client engagements built around three pillars: assessment, preparation, and integration.

The first pillar determines if the client is a good fit for a psychedelic journey and if they have any underlying issues that may complicate the experience.

The second focuses on preparing them for the experience and teaching them the skills needed for a safe and meaningful journey.

The final pillar is all about how that experience is integrated, as the “glow of a psychedelic experience always seems to fade” no matter how profound that experience is.

These engagements show clients how to properly experience and integrate, and can be meaningful for them and lucrative for the coach. They may also lead to further containers, with Villar noting that most of his clients are “cognitive high achievers” who have been very successful in their fields and strive for excellence, making them prime candidates for continued coaching.

Referring Out for High-Dose Journeys

Practitioners can refer their clients to third-party retreats and clinics, acting as the go-between for their benefit and that of their clients. For Villar, this means referring clients to ketamine programs like Mindbloom, which he notes “keeps [him] out of the middle of sourcing and facilitating”.

Group Programs & Retreats

One of the great things about psychedelic coaching is that it’s an easily scalable career path. The more time you put in, the more you will get out, and as you gain more experience and receive more referrals, you can increase your price and expand your operations.

Eventually, you can adopt an approach similar to that of Villar in designing retreats focused on preparation and integration. It’s a highly scalable career path that promotes in-person coaching, something that Villar is a big proponent of.

Training = Access + Confidence

It takes more than knowledge of plant medicine and personal experiences to become a psychedelic integration coach. Villar underwent extensive training, and the same is true for everyone who has made it to the top in this demanding field.

Not only does the right training adequately equip a coach with the knowledge needed to safely and effectively guide their clients, but it also legitimizes their activities and increases client confidence.

What’s more, training programs are a great way to assimilate oneself into the psychedelic community, making connections that can further any coach’s career. At the Psychedelic Coaching Institute, for instance, we offer extensive training programs that bring many students together and include mentorship opportunities, as well as the chance to learn from many researchers, experienced practitioners, and successful coaches.

As Chris noted in the aforementioned webinar, “The program gave me the core knowledge, but also an active network of trusted collaborators”.

Word-of-Mouth is the Engine

Word-of-mouth is old-school advertising, but it’s very much alive in the psychedelic coaching space. Lauren Mugglebee’s practice grew when the people she worked with told their friends and colleagues about her services, while Chris Villar claimed that “95% of [his] business is referral-based”.

If you continue to educate yourself on the best practices and focus on helping your clients above all else, the good word will spread and you’ll get the clients that you need to keep growing your business.

Your ability to earn money and increase your revenues is tied to how much you help your clients. If you support them, they will assist you.

Conclusion: Purpose, Prosperity, and Possibility

There is clearly a lot of potential in the psychedelic coaching sector. It’s hard to put an exact figure on how much this career path is worth, though, as there are too many variables. It ultimately depends on how much you charge and how much you work, which in turn depends on how skilled you are, what type of clients you work with, and how often your services are recommended.

The key takeaway is that psychedelic coaching provides those interested in psychedelics and helping others with a great opportunity for personal and professional growth. At the same time, it’s an industry that gives out what you put in—the more you educate yourself, the more skillfully you can prepare, manage, and integrate client experiences, which in turn will grow your personal brand.

To take the next step as a psychedelic coach, become a certified psychedelic practitioner through the Psychedelic Coaching Institute.