Firehorse Health + The Clearing Pilot Study
A research study exploring how structured therapy and ongoing support can help people carry a psilocybin experience into everyday life.
Pilot Study Overview
A psilocybin session can open something up. What happens in the weeks and months afterward often matters just as much: making sense of the experience, staying connected to what you learned, and turning insight into changes you can actually live.
The Clearing is partnering with Firehorse Health on a small research pilot that looks closely at that question. The study pairs Colorado-regulated psilocybin services with a structured program of preparation, integration, and continued therapy grounded in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and behavioral science. Participants also use a digital platform between sessions for reflection, tracking, and practice.
This is an early-stage pilot study. It’s designed to learn whether this model of care is workable and helpful from participants’ point of view. It is not designed to prove that the program works, and no individual benefit can be guaranteed.
The Firehorse program combines ACT, an evidence-based therapy that builds psychological flexibility and values-guided living, with COM-B, a behavioral science framework for understanding what helps or gets in the way of change. Together with your clinician, you’ll identify what matters most to you and build a practical plan for bringing that into your daily life.
The study takes place at two locations: The Clearing in Boulder, for psilocybin services, and KAP Kansas City, for ketamine-assisted care. It is overseen by Firehorse Health and reviewed by an independent institutional review board (IRB).
What is this study about?
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This study may be a fit if you:
Are 21 or older
Are already seeking psilocybin services at The Clearing and have completed our clinical clearance process
Have not previously had psilocybin-assisted therapy (aiming for ‘psychedelically naive’ populations)
Are living with something you’d like support with, such as depression, anxiety, trauma-related symptoms, substance use concerns, or a life transition affecting your daily functioning (a specific diagnosis isn’t required)
Can use a computer or smartphone for virtual sessions and the digital platform
Neurodivergent participants are welcome.
Care focuses on your goals, relationships, and well-being, not on changing who you are, and we’re glad to adapt pacing, communication, and sensory needs.
Psilocybin isn’t the right fit for everyone. People with a personal history of bipolar I disorder, mania, or a psychotic disorder, or a first-degree relative with one of these, are not eligible. Neither are people who are pregnant or breastfeeding, experiencing a current safety crisis, or using substances in an uncontrolled way. Every participant goes through careful screening because your safety comes first.
Who is this study for?
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Reach out. Your first contact will be to the Firehorse study coordinator, Thushy Muruges, who will explain the study, answer your questions, and walk you through costs and compensation. Thushy (she/her) will help you with a short set of questionnaires to check basic eligibility for the study.
Clinical review. You’ll then meet with Adam O’Neil, PhD, either virtually or at The Clearing, to then talk through your history and goals and confirm that this program and psilocybin services are a good fit.
Consent and onboarding. Research consent is handled separately from your clinical care, and you’ll have time to review everything and ask questions. Once you’re enrolled in both the study and The Clearing’s natural medicine program, you’ll then complete baseline questionnaires and get set up on the Firehorse digital platform.
Preparation (3 to 6 sessions). One-on-one sessions with your licensed clinical facilitator to clarify your intentions, understand what to expect, and build skills for whatever arises.
Psilocybin session. One facilitated psilocybin session at The Clearing within Colorado’s regulated natural medicine framework. Your provider makes all decisions about the medicine itself, not the research study.
Early integration (first 6 weeks). Two integration sessions in the first two weeks, then two more every other week, focused on turning insight into values-driven action.
Continued support (months 3 to 6). At least monthly sessions, for 6 months after your journey experience at The Clearing, to keep building on your progress, ending with a plan for maintaining what’s working.
Throughout the program, you’ll use the Firehorse digital platform for guided reflection, practice, and tracking of goals you choose, such as sleep, movement, or connection. It’s reviewed before sessions and is not monitored for emergencies. Safety and Harm Reduction Resources are outlined on our resources page.
Your path through
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Your care team
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At The Clearing, your program is delivered by Adam O’Neil, PhD, a clinical psychologist who also holds licenses as an owner and operator of The Clearing, a micro healing center, and as a clinical facilitator of natural medicine.
The study is led by Sarah Linke, PhD, MPH, founder of Firehorse Health and Principal Investigator, along with Ken Weingardt, PhD, who leads clinical program development, Lindsay Benster, PhD, who supports study analysis, and Thushy Muruges, the study coordinator who will be your main point of contact for research questions.
You pay The Clearing directly for therapy and natural medicine services at our usual rates, and our sliding scale applies. Firehorse Health does not collect any payment from participants. Before you consent, you’ll receive a personalized written estimate of your costs.
To thank you for your time, you can earn up to $250 in gift cards for completing study questionnaires at baseline, two weeks, three months, and six months, plus an optional interview at the end of your research study participation at six months post-journey. You keep anything you’ve earned even if you leave the study early.
If you decide not to join the study, you can still receive natural medicine services at The Clearing at our usual rates. You just won’t receive the structured study program or research compensation.
Participation is completely voluntary. You can skip questions, decline assessments, or withdraw at any time, and if you withdraw we’ll help you transition to routine care. Research data is stored securely, coded rather than labeled with your name, and reported only in combined form. Any use of your story or quotes in public materials would require your separate, specific permission.
Costs and Compensation
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Your choices and privacy
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Interested?
Reach out to learn more. There’s no commitment, and we’re happy to talk through whether this study, or another path at The Clearing, is right for you.