Questions to ask any plant medicine facilitator — and red flags that mean you shouldn’t.
Plant medicine has officially moved from the fringes into the spotlight, drawing in people from all walks of life. Along with this rise in visibility has come an explosion of new “facilitators” — many of whom are profoundly underqualified to hold these spaces. At the same time, there’s been a surge in eager but under-informed participants.
There’s no shame in not knowing what you don’t know. But if you’re planning to enter a space where you’ll ingest a consciousness-altering substance under someone else’s guidance, it’s critical that you ask the right questions — for your safety, for your process, and for the integrity of the container.
Here’s the truth:
If you aren’t given the opportunity to connect directly with the facilitator before the ceremony — to ask these kinds of questions — that alone is a major red flag.
We’re not here to give unsolicited advice. But since you’re here reading this, let’s say it plainly:
If the person leading the ceremony is unavailable or unwilling to engage with you ahead of time, proceed with extreme caution. There are all kinds of reasons why this might be the case, and none of them are good.
Here are some key questions to ask before saying yes:
✅ Questions to Ask Any Facilitator
1. What is your process for screening new participants?
Someone (the facilitator or a well-trained team member) should be gathering a thorough medical and trauma history. There should also be a follow-up conversation — not just a form. In that conversation, ask yourself:
Does this person seem to have actually read what I shared in my form?
2. Will there be an orientation, either before I arrive or when I get there? Will I have the chance to ask questions?
The answer should always be yes. Clarity supports safety for everyone present.
3. How many participants will be there?
This is personal. Some people feel fine in groups of 30+, while others feel deeply unsafe in such large containers. Tune into your body and trust what it tells you.
4. How many guardians or helpers will be present? How are they trained?
We recommend a ratio of at least 1 guardian per 3–5 participants (the facilitator counts as a guardian for these purposes). These roles should not be casually filled – facilitators should have a clearly outlined process for how people become guardians in their space, and they should be trained slowly over time. If the facilitator is vague, politely ask for specifics.
5. How long have you worked with this medicine? How long have you been facilitating?
There’s no magic number, but beware of those who started facilitating very shortly after beginning their own path as participants. Time alone doesn’t make someone qualified, but experience still matters.
6. What lineage or tradition do you study in?
Facilitation is not just “showing up and pouring medicine.” If they haven’t undergone a specific training or apprenticeship in holding space, it’s worth reconsidering. Someone can sit in a thousand ceremonies (as a participant), but that doesn’t make them qualified to serve — facilitation is a totally separate skill. Additionally, if they don’t invest in continued study with their mentors, it’s worth reconsidering – the study is never “finished” on this path, and there are always deeper depths of understanding and experience.
7. How do you handle someone having a hard time or disturbing the group?
Is there a separate space where someone in a deep process can be supported privately? If the facilitator steps out to help someone, who holds the group? What is that person’s training?
8. If I need help during the ceremony, how can I ask for it?
You should be able to ask for support at any time. This is foundational to creating a felt sense of safety.
9. If I do need to ask for help, what are the main ways you would be able to support me?
Does the facilitator serve hapé? Do they work with mapacho? Do they offer energetic clearings with sage and/or other smoke medicines? Do they work with feather fans? Do they sing/chant to people individually to support them through a deep passage? Are they available for simple attunement and dialogue? What are their values and boundaries around non-sexual, consensual touch as a tool?
10. Is integration support included or available? Who provides it?
Ideally, the facilitator — or someone who was actually present — offers this, even if it’s optional. True integration often requires multiple layers of support over time.
You should never feel pressured to sign up for the ceremony. If it’s not a good fit for you, there is absolutely another facilitator out there for you.
🚩 Red Flags (DO NOT PROCEED):
- The facilitator can’t answer one or more of the questions above clearly
- They get defensive when asked
- They invite you to “be of service” or “guardian” if you can’t afford the exchange
- They say something like “I’m getting a download that you’re meant to apprentice with me” (and you haven’t sat with them before, or have sat only a handful of times)
- They call themselves a shaman but have no recognition from an indigenous community.
- They tell you to “just trust the medicine” when you’re asking about potentially needing help in the ceremony. This one is a little nuanced – read more here.
- They screen people, but they never turn anyone away, regardless of their individual trauma load or mental health history
There’s so much that goes into responsible preparation — internal work, self-inquiry, and understanding the limitations of long-term work with the medicine.
But choosing the right facilitator is a foundational step. You deserve to be in a space that’s safe, skilled, and truly held. If you want support preparing for your journey, consider booking a 1:1 Preparation Guidance Session, or grab our Preparation Guidebook (free).
