Psychedelic Therapy in Ontario: A Comprehensive Guide

Psychedelic therapy has emerged as a groundbreaking approach to mental health care, offering a pathway to deep healing through altered states of consciousness.

Whether you’re seeking relief from treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, or simply looking to connect with deeper parts of yourself, this comprehensive guide explores the science, process, and safety measures behind psychedelic-assisted therapy in Ontario.

With a focus on ethical considerations, preparation, and integration, this article aims to demystify the transformative potential of psychedelics while highlighting their responsible use.

What is Psychedelic Therapy?

Psychedelic therapy is a form of mental health care that uses substances like psilocybin mushrooms or MDMA to help clients dive deeper into their minds and emotions. These substances are not about recreation—they’re tools for healing that open up access to parts of ourselves that traditional talk therapy might not reach.

As a therapist, I’ve found that talk therapy can work really well for exploring emotions, processing memories, and shifting beliefs. But for some clients, it only takes them so far. After enough sessions, many people hit a ceiling. That’s where psychedelics can help. They allow us to go beyond the cognitive level, breaking through mental barriers and coping mechanisms to access the unconscious, our inner child, and even our body’s stored emotions.

When I guide someone through psychedelic therapy, it’s about creating a safe space for exploration. The process typically includes preparation, the actual psychedelic journey, and follow-up sessions to help integrate what comes up. The goal isn’t just to feel better temporarily—it’s to make lasting changes in how people see themselves, their emotions, and their relationships.

The Resurgence of Psychedelics in Mental Health Care

Psychedelics are having a major moment right now in mental health care. For years, they were misunderstood and stigmatized, but today, research is showing their potential for treating conditions like PTSD, treatment-resistant depression, and anxiety.

Personally, my perspective on psychedelics shifted after my own experience with psilocybin. It wasn’t just therapeutic—it was transformative. The journey felt spiritual, emotional, and deeply somatic. It helped me connect with my body and inner self in ways I hadn’t before. That experience completely changed how I approach therapy, and it’s why I integrate psychedelics into my work today.

For me, one of the most exciting things about psychedelics is how they address the emotional and somatic levels of healing—not just the cognitive. They don’t just help you analyze your feelings; they help you feel your feelings in a way that’s profound and often life-changing.

A Brief History of Psychedelics

Psychedelics aren’t new. They’ve been used for thousands of years in Indigenous traditions for healing and spiritual exploration. But their introduction to Western medicine happened more recently, in the mid-20th century. Back then, researchers saw incredible potential in psychedelics for treating mental health conditions.

Unfortunately, the cultural and political climate of the 1970s shut down much of that work. Psychedelics were criminalized and heavily stigmatized. It wasn’t until the 2000s that we started seeing a resurgence, with new clinical trials and growing acceptance of these substances as legitimate therapeutic tools.

This renewed interest is giving us the opportunity to integrate psychedelics into therapy in a responsible, structured way. By combining these powerful tools with preparation and integration, we’re creating a whole new model for healing that embraces the mind, body, and spirit.

The Science Behind Psychedelics

How Psychedelics Affect the Brain

Psychedelics have a profound effect on the brain, and understanding how they work can help us see why they’re so transformative in therapy. When someone takes a psychedelic like psilocybin or MDMA, one of the key changes that happens is a decrease in activity in the default mode network (DMN).

The DMN is the part of the brain responsible for our sense of self—our “talking ego,” the voice in our head that constantly comments on and filters our experiences. By reducing activity in the DMN, psychedelics quiet that mental chatter and open up new pathways in the brain. This allows people to step outside of their usual thought patterns, let down defenses, and access deeper layers of their emotions and unconscious mind.

Another important effect is how psychedelics interact with serotonin pathways. Serotonin is often called the “feel-good” neurotransmitter, and psychedelics can mimic or amplify its effects, creating a sense of connection, openness, and emotional release.

These biological changes are part of why psychedelics are so powerful—they don’t just help us think differently; they help us feel differently, in ways that are often difficult to access with talk therapy alone.

The Role of Altered States of Consciousness in Healing

One of the unique aspects of psychedelics is the altered state of consciousness they create. This isn’t just about seeing visuals or feeling “high.” It’s about opening up a new way of experiencing yourself and your emotions.

For example, many people describe feeling deeply connected to their inner child or experiencing profound insights about their relationships or past traumas. These altered states often bring up memories, emotions, and sensations that have been buried or blocked. I’ve had clients tell me they felt emotions they didn’t even know they were capable of, or that they finally understood something about themselves that had eluded them for years.

These states of consciousness are also deeply somatic, meaning they’re felt in the body as much as the mind. For many, this is a chance to release stored tension or trauma on a physical level, which can be incredibly healing. It’s not just about thinking differently—it’s about embodying change.

Macrodose vs. Microdose Approaches

There are two main approaches to using psychedelics in therapy: macrodosing and microdosing.

• Macrodosing: This involves taking a full, therapeutic dose of a psychedelic. These doses are strong enough to create significant alterations in perception and consciousness. Most of the journeys I guide involve macrodoses, as these allow clients to dive deeply into their unconscious mind, process trauma, and access transformative insights. A typical macrodose session lasts around six hours, and the client is often lying down with eye shades and music, fully immersed in their inner experience.
• Microdosing: This involves taking very small, sub-perceptual doses of a psychedelic, often on a regular schedule. Microdosing doesn’t create the same dramatic effects as macrodosing, but it can enhance mood, focus, and creativity over time. While microdosing is less common in the therapeutic settings I work in, it’s a growing area of interest for people looking to manage conditions like depression or ADHD in a more subtle way.

Each approach has its own benefits, but for those seeking deep, emotional healing, macrodosing tends to be the preferred route. It creates the kind of profound, immersive experiences that allow people to break through their defenses and connect with their true selves.

Understanding the science behind psychedelics helps us see why they’re such a powerful tool for healing. They don’t just change how we think—they change how we feel, how we connect with our bodies, and how we understand ourselves on a deeper level. For me, this is why they’re such a transformative part of therapy.

Conditions Treated with Psychedelics

Common Mental Health Conditions

In my practice, many clients seek psychedelic therapy for conditions like treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, OCD, and eating disorders. These are often situations where traditional approaches haven’t worked, or the progress has stalled.

Take depression, for example—it can feel like you’re stuck in a mental loop, reliving the same negative patterns over and over. Psychedelics can help interrupt those loops. They reduce the activity of the brain’s default mode network, which is often overactive in depression. This creates a space where clients can access new perspectives, process buried emotions, and feel a renewed sense of connection.

For PTSD, psychedelics are particularly effective because they help clients revisit traumatic experiences in a safe and supported way. During these journeys, people can reframe their narratives, release stored emotions, and often find a sense of peace that eluded them for years.

Eating disorders and OCD are more complex, but the approach is similar—getting beneath the surface of the behaviors to the emotional roots. Psychedelics allow us to explore those deeper layers in a way that traditional talk therapy often cannot.

ADHD and Psychedelic Therapy

ADHD is close to my heart because I’ve been diagnosed with it myself. I understand how it can affect focus, emotional regulation, and even self-esteem. The causes of ADHD are multifaceted—it’s partly biological, involving dopamine regulation, but it also intersects with attachment and trauma.

Dr. Gabor Maté’s work resonates deeply with me. He suggests that ADHD isn’t just a biological condition but often stems from early attachment injuries. For example, growing up in chaotic or emotionally unavailable environments can train the brain to stay on high alert, leading to symptoms that look a lot like ADHD.

With ADHD clients, psychedelics can open up a pathway to deeper self-understanding. They can help people identify patterns, connect with their inner child, and even regulate their emotions better. It’s not about “curing” ADHD but about helping people embrace their full selves and work through some of the emotional blocks tied to the condition.

Ancestral and Attachment Trauma

One of the most powerful aspects of psychedelic therapy is its ability to address deep-rooted traumas, including ancestral and attachment trauma. This is where the work gets truly profound.

Many of us carry patterns we don’t fully understand—whether it’s unresolved grief, family dynamics, or generational pain. Psychedelics can help us see these patterns clearly, often for the first time. Clients have described feeling connected to their ancestors or finally understanding the struggles their parents faced. That kind of insight can be life-changing.

Attachment trauma—our early relationships and how they shape our sense of safety and worth—is another common focus. Psychedelics can help clients revisit these foundational experiences, but from a place of strength and curiosity. They can rewrite those narratives and reconnect with a sense of love and security that might have felt lost.

When we process these traumas, we’re not just healing ourselves—we’re often breaking cycles that have been passed down for generations. That’s one of the most rewarding parts of this work.

The Process of Psychedelic Therapy

Psychedelic therapy is a transformative approach to mental health care that combines intentional preparation, a supported experiential journey, and integration to turn insights into meaningful and lasting change. Each phase is essential to ensure safety, deepen the healing process, and create space for growth.

Before: Screening and Preparation

Before embarking on a psychedelic journey, thorough screening and preparation ensure you are ready—emotionally, mentally, and physically—to engage with the experience.

• Comprehensive Screening: The process begins with a detailed evaluation of your mental health history, physical health, medications, and personal goals. This step is crucial to determine if psychedelic therapy is appropriate for you. Conditions such as untreated mania or psychosis, certain medications, or unstable life circumstances may require additional care or a delay before proceeding.
• Exploring Intentions: In preparation sessions, we delve into your personal goals for therapy. Whether you are seeking relief from treatment-resistant depression, processing trauma, or pursuing personal growth, we clarify your intentions to help shape the journey.
• Understanding Your Story: Your history—including childhood experiences, significant relationships, and any past traumas—provides a framework to anticipate what themes may emerge during the journey. This insight is valuable in identifying areas of focus and fostering self-compassion.
• Journey Logistics: A significant part of preparation involves understanding the logistics of the psychedelic experience. You’ll learn about dosage, the importance of music, the role of eye shades in deepening the experience, and the safe, serene space that will be provided.

By the end of the preparation phase, you’ll feel confident, informed, and supported, ready to embrace the journey ahead.

During: A Journey Into the Self

The journey experience is the heart of psychedelic therapy, offering a unique opportunity to explore your inner world in a deeply altered state of consciousness. These sessions typically last between 5–6 hours, with the therapist guiding and supporting you throughout.

• Personalized Dosage: Each individual’s dosage is tailored to their needs and therapeutic goals. The aim is to create an experience that is effective yet manageable, encouraging you to engage fully without feeling overwhelmed.
• Safe and Healing Environment: The journey takes place in a calm, comfortable setting designed to feel safe and supportive. Eye shades and a carefully selected playlist help direct your attention inward, allowing you to explore your emotions, memories, and subconscious mind.
• The Role of the Therapist: During the session, the therapist acts as a steady and compassionate presence. While the focus remains on your internal experience, the therapist may offer grounding techniques or gentle prompts to help you navigate moments of intensity or uncertainty. This support helps ensure that even challenging experiences can be processed in a therapeutic way.

Psychedelic journeys often uncover deep emotions, long-buried memories, or profound insights. These experiences can feel transformative, but their true potential is unlocked in the next phase.

After: Integrating Insights Into Long-Term Healing

The integration phase is where the real work begins—taking the insights from your journey and incorporating them into your daily life. Without integration, the lessons of the journey can fade or feel disconnected from your lived experience.

• Processing the Experience: During integration sessions, we explore what emerged during your journey. This may include powerful emotions, visions, or realizations. By reflecting on these experiences, we begin to make sense of them in the context of your life.
• Deepening the Healing: Techniques such as Internal Family Systems (IFS), somatic work, or mindfulness-based practices can help anchor the insights gained. These approaches allow you to process emotions, release old patterns, and establish new ways of thinking and being.
• Creating Actionable Steps: Integration sessions often involve creating a plan to align your life with your newfound awareness. This could mean setting boundaries, developing self-care practices, fostering healthier relationships, or pursuing personal goals with renewed clarity.

The integration process ensures that your journey leads to tangible growth, enabling you to carry its healing effects forward in a meaningful way.

While the journey itself is profound, the work of integration transforms those fleeting insights into lasting change. Integration bridges the gap between the extraordinary experience of the journey and the everyday realities of life.

Safety and Contraindications in Psychedelic Therapy

Psychedelic therapy can offer profound healing, but ensuring safety is paramount. This involves careful attention to the setting, guidance, and a clear understanding of individual risk factors, including mental health conditions and potential medication interactions. Below, we explore the critical components of safety and contraindications in psychedelic therapy.

The Importance of Setting and Guidance

A supportive and controlled environment is essential for a safe and therapeutic psychedelic experience.

• Controlled Setting: The therapy takes place in a calming, private space designed to promote relaxation and introspection. Elements like eye shades, curated music, and minimal external distractions foster a sense of safety.
• Trained Guidance: A licensed therapist provides continuous support during the journey. This presence ensures that participants can navigate challenging emotions or experiences without feeling overwhelmed or unsafe.
• Preparation and Integration: Thorough preparation before the journey and integration afterward reinforce safety by helping participants understand and contextualize their experiences.

By establishing trust, setting clear boundaries, and preparing clients for potential outcomes, the therapist minimizes risks and maximizes the therapeutic benefits of the session.

Mental Health Considerations

While psychedelic therapy has shown promise for conditions like depression and PTSD, certain mental health conditions may increase risks or require additional precautions.

• Bipolar Disorder:
  • Bipolar II (primarily depressive episodes): Individuals with Bipolar II may benefit from psychedelic therapy, provided there is careful monitoring and support.
  • Bipolar I (with manic episodes): Psychedelics may increase the risk of triggering mania or psychosis. Extra precautions, such as consulting with a psychiatrist and ensuring robust aftercare plans, are crucial.
• Psychosis or Schizophrenia:
  • Psychedelics can potentially exacerbate psychotic symptoms. Individuals with a history of psychosis or schizophrenia are generally advised against engaging in psychedelic therapy unless under highly specialized care and in collaboration with a psychiatrist.
• Personality Disorders:
  • While some research excludes individuals with personality disorders (e.g., borderline personality disorder) from clinical trials, anecdotal evidence suggests that with proper support, some may experience healing. Careful evaluation and preparation are essential in these cases.

Medication Interactions and Stabilization Considerations

Medications and life circumstances can significantly influence the safety and efficacy of psychedelic therapy.

• Medication Interactions:
  • SSRIs: Many antidepressants, particularly SSRIs, can dampen the effects of psychedelics. A supervised pause in medication may be necessary, depending on the substance used.
  • MAOIs: These medications can interact dangerously with certain psychedelics, such as ayahuasca. Full disclosure of medication use is critical.
  • Benzodiazepines and Antipsychotics: These may blunt or counteract the therapeutic effects of psychedelics. However, they may also be used as “rescue” medications if distress becomes overwhelming.
• Life Stability:
  • Recent Major Life Changes: Individuals experiencing significant upheavals, such as divorce, job loss, or acute grief, may not be in an ideal state for a psychedelic journey. Stabilizing their environment can help ensure the therapy is more effective.
  • Physical Health: Conditions like heart disease require extra caution, as psychedelics can elevate heart rate and blood pressure.

Testing and Harm Reduction

For individuals sourcing their own substances, testing for purity is a critical harm-reduction practice.

• Substance Testing: Psychedelics acquired outside regulated frameworks should be tested for contaminants. Third-party testing kits can verify the substance and its potency, reducing risks of adverse reactions.
• Dosage Accuracy: Accurate dosing ensures that the experience is therapeutic rather than overwhelming. The therapist works with clients to determine appropriate dosages based on their health, goals, and past experience.

Reframing the Concept of a “Bad Trip” in Psychedelic Therapy

The idea of a “bad trip” often comes from stories about chaotic or distressing experiences with psychedelics, especially in recreational or unstructured settings. However, in the context of therapeutic work, challenging experiences can be reframed as opportunities for profound growth and healing. Below, we explore why the term “bad trip” can be misleading in therapy and how these moments are handled to ensure a positive outcome.

Why “Bad Trips” Happen in Non-Therapeutic Settings

Many so-called “bad trips” occur in environments that lack the preparation, safety, and support of a therapeutic framework. Factors contributing to negative experiences outside of therapy include:

1. Unfamiliar Environments: Party settings, loud music, crowds, or unfamiliar people can create a sense of unease or overwhelm, triggering fear or paranoia.
2. Unregulated Dosages: Taking unknown or overly high doses of a substance can result in an experience that is too intense for the individual to process.
3. Lack of Intention: Recreational use often lacks a clear purpose or emotional focus, making challenging emotions or thoughts feel disorienting or purposeless.
4. No Support System: Without a trusted guide or therapist, difficult emotions or memories that arise during the journey may feel insurmountable.

Why There Are No “Bad Trips” in Therapeutic Settings

In contrast, therapeutic psychedelic journeys are designed to transform challenging experiences into opportunities for healing. Here’s how:

1. Preparation and Intention-Setting:
   • Before the journey, clients work with their therapist to set clear intentions, such as processing trauma, exploring emotions, or seeking clarity about life challenges.
   • This preparation helps the client understand that discomfort or fear is not failure but a natural part of the healing process.
2. Safe and Supportive Environment:
   • The therapy takes place in a controlled, tranquil space with no external distractions. Clients can focus entirely on their inner experience.
   • Therapists are present throughout the session to provide reassurance, grounding, and guidance if emotions or memories become overwhelming.
3. Reframing Difficult Moments:
   • During the session, clients are encouraged to approach difficult emotions or memories with curiosity and compassion, rather than avoidance.
   • Therapists guide clients to sit with and explore these feelings, helping them uncover insights and release stored emotional energy.
4. Integration After the Journey:
   • Even if the journey feels challenging in the moment, follow-up integration sessions help clients process their experiences, find meaning in them, and connect them to their therapeutic goals.

The Value of Challenging Experiences

Challenging moments during a psychedelic journey are not just common—they are often the most transformative parts of the experience. Here’s why:

• Uncovering Repressed Emotions: Psychedelics can lower mental defenses, allowing repressed memories or emotions to surface. While this may feel intense, it provides an opportunity to confront and heal past wounds.
• Letting Go of Control: Many people struggle with surrendering to the unknown, which can initially create anxiety. However, learning to let go during the session often leads to a sense of liberation and deeper connection with oneself.
• Breaking Through Barriers: Feelings of fear, sadness, or anger during a session often signal the breaking down of mental or emotional barriers. Once these barriers are explored, clients frequently report a sense of relief, clarity, or even euphoria.

Techniques for Navigating Difficult Experiences

Therapists use a variety of tools to help clients navigate challenging moments during a psychedelic session:

• Breathwork: Guiding the client to focus on deep, rhythmic breathing helps regulate the nervous system and ease feelings of panic or overwhelm.
• Grounding Techniques: Physical grounding, such as holding a trusted object or touching a soft blanket, can anchor clients in the present moment.
• Verbal Reassurance: Therapists remind clients that they are safe and that what they’re feeling is temporary. Simple affirmations like “You’re not alone” or “This is part of the process” can be profoundly comforting.
• Music and Sound: Curated music designed for therapeutic journeys can help clients stay centered and provide a sense of emotional support.
• Encouraging Surrender: Therapists often encourage clients to surrender to the experience, reminding them that resistance can amplify discomfort. Approaching the journey with openness can help ease fear and promote healing.

An Example of a Reframed “Bad Trip”

A client might begin to feel overwhelmed during their session as childhood memories of neglect or rejection surface. In a non-therapeutic setting, this might spiral into fear or confusion, leaving the person feeling destabilized.

In a therapeutic context, the therapist encourages the client to breathe through the emotions and explore the memories with curiosity. The client may uncover insights about how these past experiences shaped their self-esteem or relationships. By the end of the session, the client might feel a sense of release and understanding, even if the journey was emotionally intense.

Legal and Ethical Considerations in Psychedelic Therapy

The legal and ethical landscape of psychedelic therapy is complex and evolving, particularly in countries like Canada. For practitioners and clients alike, understanding the framework is crucial to ensure safe, ethical, and lawful participation in this transformative therapeutic modality.

Legal Frameworks for Psychedelic Therapy in Canada

Currently, most psychedelic substances, including psilocybin and MDMA, are classified as controlled substances under Canada’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. This means their use, possession, or distribution is generally illegal, except under specific exemptions.

1. Section 56 Exemptions:
   • Individuals suffering from severe medical conditions, such as terminal illnesses or treatment-resistant mental health issues, can apply for a Section 56 exemption.
   • This exemption allows them to legally possess and use psychedelics for therapeutic purposes.
   • The application process is lengthy and requires detailed documentation from a healthcare provider, often taking six months to a year for approval.
2. Special Access Program (SAP):
   • Health Canada’s SAP allows physicians to request access to restricted drugs, including psychedelics, for patients with serious or life-threatening conditions.
   • This option is typically reserved for situations where conventional treatments have failed.
3. Decriminalization Efforts:
   • Some Canadian regions, such as Vancouver and other parts of British Columbia, have decriminalized the personal possession of small amounts of psychedelics. However, this does not legalize the substances but reduces the risk of criminal charges.

Harm Reduction Practices

Given the legal restrictions, many therapists, including myself, work under a harm reduction framework. This approach prioritizes client safety, informed decision-making, and ethical practice, even within legal gray areas.

1. How Harm Reduction Works in Practice:
   • Clients bring their own substances, sourced independently, for therapeutic sessions.
   • I do not provide or sell psychedelics; instead, I act as a guide and safeguard, ensuring the process is as safe and controlled as possible.
2. Legal Protections for Practitioners:
   • While therapists cannot supply substances, the harm reduction framework allows us to be present during psychedelic experiences without contravening the law.
   • I adhere to professional standards and guidelines established by the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario (CRPO), which recognizes and supports harm reduction approaches for psychedelic-assisted therapy.
3. Ethical Safeguards:
   • Comprehensive screening ensures clients are mentally and physically prepared for the journey.
   • Integration sessions are provided post-journey to help clients process their experiences and translate insights into actionable life changes.

Sourcing Psychedelics Safely

One of the most significant challenges clients face is sourcing psychedelics. While I cannot provide substances, I emphasize the importance of sourcing safely and ethically.

1. Independent Sourcing:
   • Clients are responsible for obtaining their own substances.
   • There are online communities, local psychedelic societies, and harm reduction organizations that can provide guidance on sourcing and testing.
2. Testing Substances:
   • Ensuring the purity and safety of psychedelics is a critical step.
   • I require clients to submit lab results confirming the substance’s authenticity and potency before any therapeutic session.
   • Testing kits are also available through harm reduction organizations like DanceSafe or community-based initiatives.

Summary

Psychedelic therapy is reshaping mental health care by unlocking profound healing experiences that extend beyond traditional approaches. This guide has explored the therapeutic process, the science behind psychedelics, and the conditions they address, all while emphasizing safety and ethical considerations. Whether you’re interested in macrodosing to address deep-seated trauma or microdosing to enhance creativity, understanding these tools is key to unlocking their full potential.

At WellSite, we prioritize a safe, compassionate approach to psychedelic therapy, ensuring every client is supported from preparation to integration. If you’re ready to explore how psychedelics can transform your mental health journey, reach out to us today.