Irvine, Calif., July 21, 2025 — The University of California, Irvine is one of the first two state universities selected to help lead a national push to integrate evidence-based, psychedelic-assisted therapy education into mainstream college courses, an effort that could reshape how future healthcare providers approach some of the toughest mental health challenges.
Christopher Cleary, D.N.P., a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and assistant clinical professor at the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing, is representing UC Irvine and UC Davis in the inaugural cohort of the University Psychedelic Education Program. He’s also UC Irvine’s clinical faculty lead in the UC psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certificate program, a key pipeline for training the next generation of advanced practice mental health nurses. The program plays a vital role in preparing nurse practitioners to integrate emerging therapies into safe, effective and compassionate care.
“This is a bold and timely step toward health education,” Cleary said. “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. My goal is to bring this to healthcare education in a way that supports holistic care – physical, mental, emotional and social well-being.”
Cleary’s inclusion in the first University Psychedelic Education Program cohort supports his efforts to integrate cutting-edge research on psychedelic-assisted care into UC Irvine’s psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner certificate program. Supported in part by the 1440 Foundation and a growing network of funders, U-PEP provides faculty with specialized training, curriculum resources, and a national network of peers to help shape psychedelic education within health professions. The goal is to furnish future psychiatric nurse practitioners with the latest clinical evidence and emerging best practices in the field.
Mark Lazenby, dean of the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing, said: “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. As part of this national initiative, the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing will help lead the development of safe, evidence-based education that equips advanced practice nurses to deliver compassionate, holistic care in a rapidly changing field.”
As research increasingly confirms the promise of psychedelics in treating difficult mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, PTSD and addiction, programs like U-PEP aim to ensure that the next generation of healthcare providers understand their therapeutic potential and risks in a cultural context.
Building on a successful 2022 pilot conducted at the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University, U-PEP now supports a national collective of universities working together to develop and share best practices. The training empowers faculty to design innovative courses and curricula that bring psychedelic education into mainstream healthcare programs.
About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UC Irvine is a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced five Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UC Irvine has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UC Irvine, visit www.uci.edu.
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