UC Irvine Leads National Initiative on Psychedelic Therapy Education

The University of California, Irvine (UC Irvine) has been selected as one of the first two California universities to participate in a groundbreaking national program aimed at integrating evidence-based psychedelic therapy education into health curricula. This initiative seeks to equip future healthcare providers with the knowledge necessary to address challenging mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction.

On July 21, 2025, it was announced that Christopher Cleary, D.N.P., a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and assistant clinical professor at the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing, will represent UC Irvine as part of the inaugural cohort of the University Psychedelic Education Program (U-PEP). This program is a collaborative effort involving several universities across the nation, aimed at enhancing the education of healthcare professionals in the area of psychedelic-assisted therapies.

Cleary, who also serves as the clinical faculty lead for UC Irvine’s psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certificate program, expressed enthusiasm for the opportunity to incorporate current research on psychedelic therapies into nursing education. “This is a bold and timely step toward health education,” Cleary stated. “Psychedelics are often misunderstood and stigmatized, but the science tells a different story, and through research, they’re poised to unlock potential paths to healing.”

The U-PEP initiative, supported in part by the 1440 Foundation, aims to provide faculty with specialized training, curriculum resources, and a national network for sharing best practices. By empowering educators, the program intends to ensure that the next generation of psychiatric nurse practitioners is well-versed in the latest clinical evidence and therapeutic practices involving psychedelics.

Mark Lazenby, dean of the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing, emphasized the importance of this initiative. “Dr. Cleary’s selection affirms our school’s commitment to preparing nurses for the future of mental health care. Psychedelic-assisted therapies are emerging as powerful tools in the treatment of conditions that have long resisted conventional approaches,” he noted.

As research increasingly affirms the potential of psychedelics in addressing difficult mental health conditions, programs like U-PEP are vital in fostering an understanding of both the therapeutic advantages and associated risks within a cultural context. This initiative builds upon a successful pilot conducted in 2022 at the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University, which set the foundation for a national collective of universities dedicated to psychedelic education.

The broader goal of the U-PEP initiative is to prepare advanced practice nurses to deliver compassionate and holistic care in a rapidly evolving field. As the integration of psychedelic therapies into mainstream treatment approaches continues to gain traction, UC Irvine is poised to be at the forefront of this innovative educational shift.

The Brilliant Future campaign, launched on October 4, 2019, aims to raise awareness and support for UC Irvine, engaging 75,000 alumni to garner $2 billion in philanthropic investment. This campaign plays a critical role in advancing the university’s goals in health, wellness, and research, with the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing contributing significantly to its success.

Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is recognized as a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and ranks among the top 10 public universities in the United States, according to U.S. News & World Report. The campus is home to over 36,000 students and offers a wide array of degree programs, contributing approximately $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide.

For additional information about UC Irvine and its ongoing initiatives, visit their official website at www.uci.edu.