Canadian Psychedelic Therapy: FAQ & Resource Guide

For centuries, therapy has been an essential component in society, providing individuals with the opportunity to share their vulnerabilities with a skilled therapist or even a trusted family member or friend. This support has enabled countless people to break free from depression, conquer self-imposed limitations, and excel in their careers, among other achievements.

Now, however, a novel form of therapy is emerging, seemingly enhancing the advantages of traditional approaches. This innovative method, known as psychedelic therapy, is the focus of this blog. Continue reading to discover more about this fascinating therapeutic approach.

Understanding Psychedelic Therapy

Who can benefit from psychedelic therapy?

Top Psychedelic Therapy Locations in Canada

In conclusion

What exactly is psychedelic therapy?

Psychedelic therapy, also referred to as psychedelic counseling, involves a combination of traditional therapy and the use of psychedelic substances. While any psychedelic substance can be used, psilocybin mushrooms are currently the most popular choice. Although it is experiencing a resurgence in popularity, psychedelic therapy is not entirely new and has likely been practiced for centuries.

Psychedelic therapy typically involves a male and female therapist working with the patient through several traditional therapy sessions to build trust and rapport. A preparatory session is conducted to discuss patient expectations prior to the psychedelic experience. During the psychedelic session, which can last up to 8 or 10 hours, the therapists provide support and offer aids such as eyeshades and music playlists to help the patient “let go” and allow the plant medicine to guide them. Patients may repeat the session as needed, and shorter “integrating” sessions are conducted afterward to help the patient incorporate their realizations into their self-concept.

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) is becoming increasingly popular in Canada, parts of the EU, and other areas where psychedelics are being legalized. To find out if this therapy is suitable for you, continue reading.

For whom is psychedelic therapy suitable?

If you often feel limited by your thoughts, psychedelic therapy may be suitable for you. These thoughts are commonly known as self-limiting beliefs, which can hold us back from achieving success. Through psychedelic therapy, you may discover what truly matters to you and gain a better understanding of what does not. This therapy can help you move away from your ego’s materialistic desires and get closer to your authentic self, allowing you to drop limiting beliefs in the process.

Psychedelic integration therapy may also be a good fit for you if you struggle with substance addiction, experience mental health conditions such as depression or anxiety, have PTS/PTSD, need a creativity boost for work or school, or want to rewire your brain from “stuck thoughts.” While some of the benefits of psychedelic therapy have yet to be quantified scientifically, there is a meaningful and religious aspect to it that cannot be understood through a scientific viewpoint.

According to Jordan Peterson, Terence McKenna’s stoned ape hypothesis suggests that psilocybin and humanity evolved together, fueled by each other’s growth. Peterson notes that other mammals and even flies use psychedelics, raising the possibility that many different life forms have taken to their own varieties of psychedelic therapy.

The best locations for psychedelic therapy in Canada.

The popularity of psychedelic therapy is on the rise in Canada, with therapy centers now available in nearly every major city and province.

Psychedelic Counseling in Vancouver, BC

If you’re seeking psychedelic therapy in Vancouver, Thrive Downtown is an excellent option. This therapy center welcomes anyone willing to commit to the healing process and follow-up therapy sessions, emphasizing that their therapy is not a quick fix or a last resort.

For those seeking top-quality psychedelic counseling, Gaia Counselling is another great choice. Their program is designed to help patients access hidden truths within their subconscious mind through regular therapy, psychedelic therapy, and holotropic breathwork therapy.

Psychotherapist Katya Sivak, based in Vancouver, specializes in various types of psychedelic therapy, including MDMA, psilocybin, LSD, and ayahuasca-infused therapies. She emphasizes the importance of integration in the post-psychotropic period, providing nonjudgmental and holistic therapy to help patients make sense of their experiences.

Psychedelic-assisted Therapy in Victoria, BC

Although Victoria is considered progressive, it currently offers fewer psychedelic counseling options than other towns. However, its current options may appeal to those seeking alternative approaches to therapy. For instance, Monarch Trancework is an alternative health center that features an experienced psychedelic guide to assist patients in their personalized inner journey of transformation.

Other available options in Victoria include trancework, hypnotherapy, NLP, shamanism, psychedelic consultations, and guided meditation, among others. Similar to other psychedelic centers, Monarch does not supply psychedelic substances to its patients nor provide referrals to those seeking such substances.

Psychedelic-supported Therapy in Kelowna, BC

Entheotec is a group of doctors and psychiatrists who specialize in treating pain, anxiety, and depression using psychedelic-assisted therapy, as well as a range of advanced integrated medical techniques such as healing yoga, meditation, breathwork, and counseling. They are a psychedelic-friendly mental health collective that offers something for everyone.

Another valuable resource based in Kelowna is Mindcure. Their center provides both MDMA and ibogaine-based treatments, and they are actively developing new methods to promote mental wealth.

Psychedelic-enhanced Psychotherapy in Calgary, AB

In February of last year, Calgary’s first psychedelic therapy center, ATMA Urban Journey Clinic, opened its doors. The clinic provides a holistic alternative to conventional mental health treatments and aims to work through emotions and spiritual issues by raising them, rather than numbing or suppressing them like traditional antidepressant or psychotic medications. Patients, such as Tony White, have reported positive experiences with magic mushroom-fueled therapy, allowing them to let go of anxiety and depression related to death and finding peace during their sessions.

Bloom Psychedelic is another excellent new option for Calgary residents seeking psychedelic therapy. They offer several unique treatment programs based on the latest scientific research while considering individual preferences and budgets. Their Group Therapy Package, for example, combines Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and other proven methods to help people suffering from depression, anxiety, addiction, or trauma thrive again.

Psychedelic-assisted Psychotherapy in Edmonton, AB

If you’re seeking a psychedelic therapy center in Edmonton, PsiloTec led by Dr. Peter Silverstone, a psychiatrist and an entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience researching the brain-drug connection, could be a suitable option. PsiloTec is regarded as the first fully integrated psychedelic drug company in North America, with a leadership team that has 40+ years of experience and is responsible for 300+ psilocybin-related clinical studies.

Another excellent option in Edmonton is the SYNTAC Institute, a non-profit organization working to get Albertan patients approved for legal psychedelic therapy by Health Canada. A growing number of patients have already undergone psychedelic therapy under their care.

Psychedelic-supported Therapy in Saskatoon, SK

New Earth Therapy is Saskatoon’s first center for psychedelic integration therapy. While their services are comprehensive, they don’t provide substances nor instruct patients on how to obtain them due to a legal loophole. Patients must bring their own psychedelic substances such as psilocybin, ayahuasca, MDMA, ketamine, LSD, or peyote, among others, to the center.

Alternatively, Saskatoon residents can work with psychotherapist Sarah Binsfeld for a more personalized approach. Sarah takes a collaborative and honest approach to her work, recognizing that every individual is an expert on their own life and experiences. She offers psychedelic-assisted therapy to help clients integrate their insights into daily life and thought patterns, while practicing within ethical and legal bounds to support individuals who choose to use these substances on their personal time from a harm reduction perspective.

Guided Psychedelic Therapy in Regina, SK

Psychedelic therapy has a long history in Saskatchewan, with some of the most important psychedelic research in the world taking place there in the 1950s. Psychiatrist Humphry Osmond, based in Saskatchewan, coined the word “psychedelic” in 1957, and guided LSD and mescaline trips offered an alternative to long-stay care in asylums. Despite the fact that most patients experienced incredible outcomes, legal changes eventually stifled Regina’s early psychedelic research.

Unfortunately, the modern psychedelic scene in Regina has been slow to come full circle, and currently, there are no known psychedelic therapy centers in the area. However, we hope that this will change in the near future.

Guided Psychedelic Therapy in Winnipeg, MB

If you’re in Winnipeg, Canada, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Enhanced Therapy Institute. Established in 2020, the Institute’s mission is to “contribute to the global movement towards legalizing ethical, safe, and effective MDMA-Assisted Therapy, with a focus on relationship healing.”

The Enhanced Therapy Institute intends to broaden its services to incorporate psilocybin once the legal environment becomes more accommodating. It appears that they appreciate any psychedelic whose lessons can be combined with therapy and “integrated into daily life.”

Psychedelic-assisted Therapy in Toronto, ON

Discovering an ideal location for psychedelic-assisted therapy in Toronto is likely more straightforward than ever. Here are four excellent choices:

  • Obai Wellness: ideal for both assisted ceremonies and couples therapy
  • Obai Wellness provides assisted ceremonies and guided journeys using plant-based medicines, overseen by psychotherapists skilled in psychedelic healing. This option is perfect for those eager to delve into their inner selves, and includes full services such as intention setting and integration work.
  • Field Trip: the spa-inspired choice
  • As a recent addition to Toronto’s psychedelic-enhanced therapy scene, Field Trip boasts a spa-like atmosphere that’s perfect for reaching new heights of consciousness.
  • Canadian Rapid Treatment Centre of Excellence (CRTCE): the research-based selection
  • Situated in Mississauga and Summerhill, CRTCE is a rapid treatment center that specializes in using ketamine to address mental health disorders like depression and BPD.
  • Remedy: the comprehensive approach
  • Located in Toronto’s Koreatown neighborhood, Remedy combines psychedelic therapy with cutting-edge research to provide a holistic experience.

Guided Psychedelic Therapy in Ottawa, ON

A new Canadian Rapid Treatment Centre of Excellence was inaugurated in Ottawa at the beginning of this year. Currently, the Centre provides ketamine treatments rather than psilocybin, but they aim to include psilocybin once Ontario adopts a more favorable stance towards mushrooms.

Fortunately, ketamine has its own advantages. “Over twenty clinical trials have shown that ketamine and esketamine produce quick and significant antidepressant effects in patients who haven’t responded to conventional antidepressants. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the demand for effective treatment has grown exponentially,” asserts CRTCE’s medical director, Dr. Joshua Rosenblat.

If you prefer a more personalized approach, consider scheduling a psychedelic therapy session with Ottawa psychotherapist Robert Anderson. Anderson specializes in psychedelic integration therapy, stating, “My work focuses on complex trauma, substance use, and general mental health issues.” His training includes various methods such as somatic work, psychodynamic, NLP, mindfulness, and cognitive-behavioral approaches.

Psychedelic-supported Therapy in Hamilton, ON

If you reside in or around Hamilton, Ontario, The Centre for Compassionate Care (C3) may be just the community-based mental health clinic you’re searching for. The centre emphasizes both physical and mental well-being, along with opportunities for personal healing and growth.

C3’s “Circle of Care” is directed by a psychologist and an MD specializing in psychedelic-assisted therapy. Their specialty services strive to merge the best of traditional and contemporary therapy methods, including:

  • Ketamine-enhanced psychotherapy
  • Cannabis-assisted psychotherapy
  • Cannabis-Assisted Self Exploration (CASE) Sessions
  • Virtual reality-based exposure treatment for trauma and PTSD

Mindfulness Therapy Services is another valuable resource for those in the Greater Hamilton area. Led by Margarita Rabinovich, Mindfulness offers essential guidance for individuals on a psychedelic journey.

“After a psychedelic experience,” Margarita explains, “losing insights from heightened levels of awareness can lead to confusion or frustration, and ideally, it can prompt people to seek deeper understanding from these experiences.”

That’s where mindfulness-based integration work comes into play. As Margarita states, “one of the tasks of the integration work can involve encouraging a disciplined practice of returning to present moment awareness.” Please be aware that Mindfulness only offers integration work and not psychedelic therapy.

Psychedelic-assisted Therapy in Kitchener, ON

If you’re intrigued by psychedelics and situated in Kitchener, Cambridge, Guelph, or nearby regions, the KWCG Psychedelic Society is eager to embrace you! “Everyone is invited to join and share their experiences and inquiries about psychedelic journeys,” the Society states on their website.

KWCG regularly organizes meetups, both virtually and in-person, to explore the history, present, and future of entheogens and psychedelics.

Psychedelic-assisted Therapy in London, ON

Mya Barak from New Hope is a registered clinical social worker and psychotherapist boasting over 15 years of experience, primarily through her private counseling practice. She describes herself as ‘psychedelic friendly’!

Given the current political landscape surrounding psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, she believes her most crucial role is helping clients prepare beforehand and integrate after their journeys.

Mya thinks psychedelics facilitate the transformation of thoughts into deeply-held beliefs. This process is fundamental in shifting from theoretical and perceptual understanding to establishing internal convictions and experiential knowledge. Psychedelics reveal opportunities to unearth the underlying causes of suffering, enabling individuals to identify and significantly change recurring emotions, thoughts, and behaviors that keep them trapped.

She recognizes the importance of holding space and offering empathetic presence, allowing her clients to explore, reflect, and tap into their inherent ‘knowing’ and intuitive wisdom. Mya has been praised for her consistently genuine, compassionate, and positive regard for people.

Her approach prioritizes establishing a solid, trusting relationship with her clients, who report feeling valued, seen, and unconditionally accepted. She views her role as a therapist supporting psychedelics as primarily client-driven, emphasizing listening and non-directive communication.

MindSetting™ is a treatment center based in London, Ontario. It equips psychotherapists and assists patients with psychedelic therapy.

Unlike most psychedelic therapy clinics, MindSetting actively involves patients during their experiences rather than merely observing them. This unique TRIP™ treatment protocol ensures patients feel secure.

Although the ReadyToGo Clinic does not currently offer psychedelic therapy, they are making progress by providing cannabis-assisted therapy and ketamine-assisted therapy. The Clinic explains on their website, “Current scientific literature indicates that medical cannabis may be useful as a therapy for various medical conditions, including neurology, mental health, pain, oncology, harm reduction, and Crohn’s disease. When administered properly, cannabis can effectively treat chronic pain, anxiety, epilepsy, and numerous other medical conditions.”

The ReadyToGo Clinic also aims to incorporate psychedelic therapy in the near future.

Psychedelic-supported Therapy in Montreal, QC

MindSpace is likely the leading psychedelic therapy center in Montreal. Initially offering ketamine-assisted therapy, they plan to incorporate psilocybin soon. “In 2021, we aim to deliver top-notch, cutting-edge mental health solutions across the nation, with intentions to include MDMA and psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy,” MindSpace states on their website.

Numinus established their Montreal clinic in 2011, and since then, they’ve built an experienced team consisting of “psychologists, therapists, certified mindfulness teachers, psychedelic integration specialists, and more.” Recently, Numinus has focused on educating patients about the advantages (and potential disadvantages) of psychedelic therapy.

“With experiences ranging from microdosing to community ceremonies and international retreats,” Numinus explains, “an increasing number of people are exploring psychedelics for healing, spiritual growth, creativity, and connection.” If this appeals to you, consider visiting Numinus Montreal yourself.

Psychedelic-assisted Therapy in Fredericton, NB

Situated in Fredericton, Field Trip Health Centres is dedicated to “bringing people to life through evidence-based, medically-supervised psychedelic therapies for treating depression and other challenging mental health conditions.”

While grounded in scientific principles, Field Trip Health Centres offers a spa-like atmosphere. It’s an ideal place to unwind, relax, and experience healing! If internal struggles are hindering your progress in life, this Centre could be the perfect fit for you.

For those in Fredericton seeking to explore psychedelic therapy, The Newly Institute presents an even newer option. They recently opened a center on Regent Street in February and have plans to launch a second one in Bishops Gate in May!

The institute’s website elaborates, “The Newly Institute provides rapid access to intensive outpatient programs offering innovative mental health, addiction, and trauma therapies. Access to treatment can lead to reduced suffering, increased resiliency, and save the lives of those who suffer the most.”

By integrating a bio-psycho-social-spiritual treatment model with medically-assisted therapies, the Newly Institute aims to give patients the best of both worlds, helping them “overcome deeply rooted traumas that prevent them from fully experiencing their everyday lives.”

Psychedelic-supported Therapy in Moncton, NB

For individuals residing in Moncton, Field Trip Fredericton is likely the closest psychedelic-assisted therapy center.

This particular branch of Field Trip Health boasts a spa-like ambiance and a laid-back atmosphere. “We want this to be a place you look forward to visiting, [a place you] won’t be in a rush to leave. You’re welcome to stay a while after each session,” the center emphasizes on their website. If you’re new to psychedelic-assisted therapy, Field Trip Fredericton’s relaxed environment might be just right for you.

Psychedelic-enhanced Psychotherapy in Halifax, NS

In Halifax, there are fewer quality psychedelic-assisted clinics compared to other regions of Canada, leading those seeking this type of healing experience to explore underground options.

Justin Andrews, the founder of Halifax Psychedelic Society, told CBC, “There is a growing trend of underground therapy. We’re striving to stay as above board as possible, but it is challenging. People are excited about the healing potential, which is why I emphasize the importance of understanding the politics and policies behind these things.”

Novaket Infusion Clinic stands out as one of Halifax’s most forward-thinking treatment centers. Although they do not currently offer psilocybin, they provide ketamine for Treatment Resistant Depression (TRD)! According to Novaket’s website:

  • There is substantial evidence that ketamine infusions can significantly reduce depression scores for most patients.
  • Ketamine has also proven to be particularly effective at alleviating acute suicidal ideation.
  • They are a dedicated provider of ketamine infusions for the rapid treatment of Treatment Resistant Depression and PTSD.
  • Patients undergo ketamine infusions in a safe, relaxing, and fully monitored environment.

Psychedelic-assisted Therapy in St. John’s, NL

The Psychedelic Society of Newfoundland & Labrador offers valuable guidance for those interested in psychedelic therapy in St. John’s.

As per their website, one of the top psychedelic therapy options in St. John’s is available at Nectara.

Nectara serves patients with a “holistic philosophy of wellness and integration.” This means they place equal emphasis on the post-experience period as they do on the psychedelic states themselves. “We advocate for less psychedelics and more integration focused on the mind, body, soul, and community,” their website states.

Nectara currently does not offer retreats or sell psychedelics. “We are [more] focused on supporting people before and after their experiences,” they explain, but aim to collaborate with world-class retreat centers in the near future.

In conclusion

Terence Mckenna once said, “We possess the technological power to save our planet, but we lack the intellectual vision and the ability to change our minds. We must break free from 10,000 years of negative habits, and it’s not easy.”

Altering one’s perspective on life can be challenging, but psychedelic therapy may offer a way to make a change from within. Consider experiencing this unique form of therapy for yourself! You might even think about attending a psychedelic retreat.

Keep in mind that the majority of today’s psychedelic therapy centers do not actually provide any psychedelics. You will need to supply those yourself! If you require a reliable source, consider Boomer Guys. They offer some of the highest-rated shrooms in all of Canada.

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