Psychedelic- Assisted Therapy
Supported, Legal Access to Psychedelic Medicines
What is Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy?
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy refers to a form of therapy where psychedelic substances are used to deepen or enhance the therapeutic experience.
Psychedelic medicines include drugs such as psilocybin, MDMA or LSD at specific doses and under controlled conditions supported by trained professionals to facilitate the healing process.
Our service is offered by a multidisciplinary team of health professionals at Santé Cannabis and Refuge Psychology.
Potential benefits of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy has demonstrated potential to treat mental health conditions and symptoms that have not responded to conventional treatments.
Patients who experience the following conditions may benefit from a consultation with our experienced team:
- treatment-resistant depression,
- anxiety at end of life,
- post-traumatic stress disorder
- substance use disorders such as alcohol use disorder.
Therapy protocols will be selected based on your treatment objectives and personal needs, psychedelic options include:
- Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms)
- MDMA
- Other options as our clinical program develops
Responses to Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy are personal for each patient and must be undertaken in safe, supported settings under the guidance of trained medical and mental health professionals to minimize risks and maximize the potential benefits.
How can we help
The PAT program at Santé Cannabis provides patient services within a supportive environment and multidisciplinary team of medical and mental health professionals. Services are provided in a step-wise progression.
Step 1
Request a referral
from your psychologist or psychiatrist. If you need help to request or to complete the referral, you can reach out to us.
Step 2
Complete a virtual nurse evaluation and education session
our care team will contact you to book the appointment at your convenience.
Step 3
Meet with a Santé Cannabis doctor
To assess your eligibility and complete the application for the Special Access Program.
Step 4
Start your journey
Upon approval from Health Canada, you’ll review an informed consent form and work with us to create your personal psychedelic treatment protocol.
Eligibility for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
LEGALITIES OF PSYCHEDELIC-ASSISTED THERAPY
At this time, there are no approved prescription drugs containing these substances in Canada or elsewhere in the world; psychedelic-assisted therapy therefore remains unapproved treatment by Health Canada, which means it is available only within a clinical trial or upon approval under the Special Access Program.
CONFIRMATION OF ELIGIBILITY
Our services provide evaluation, assessment of eligibility and education to ensure patients can make informed decision to undergo psychedelic-assisted therapy.
For Veterans
Canadian military and RCMP veterans may find relief from treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder or other mental health conditions.
Pricing
As Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy remains an unapproved medical treatment, the service is generally uninsured at clinics across Canada. Our service prioritizes efficient, cost-effective care while ensuring patient safety and personalized support.
Insurance coverage
Some services within Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy are covered by insurance providers while others are not. Insurance coverage is increasing and our Santé Cannabis team supports patients to advocate for coverage with their insurance providers.
Our Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Service
- Virtual Preparation Sessions
- Onsite Psychedelic Experience
- Virtual Integration Sessions
- Safety monitoring and ongoing support
Our Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy team
Dr. Naila Debbache,
MD, Santé Cannabis
Dr. Cécile Saelen,
MD, Santé Cannabis
Tania Pellegrino,
Nurse Coordinator, Santé Cannabis
Dr. Joe Flanders,
PsychD, Refuge Psychology
Ready to find out if Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy is right for you?
Request a referral from your psychologist or psychiatrist