Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

Evidence-Based, Compassionate Care

Currently Accepting New Clients

Contact: info@mindfullivingcentre.ca or call 289-270-1757

 

At The Mindful Living Centre, we are committed to providing thoughtful, evidence-informed approaches designed to help clients across Ontario move beyond symptom relief toward deeper understanding, resilience, and growth.

Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (PaT) refers to a structured therapeutic framework in which carefully prepared psychological support is paired with specific, regulated medical interventions, where legally and clinically appropriate.

At present, our PaT services are offered exclusively through the use of dissociative medicines — a legal, medically supervised approach facilitated by a multidisciplinary team. Other psychedelic substances remain controlled under Canadian law and are not offered outside of approved research or regulatory pathways. Care is grounded in careful preparation, attention to safety, and integration-focused psychotherapy before and after treatment.

Man under psychedelic-assisted therapy

If you’re curious about whether this approach may be a good fit, we invite you to connect with our team for a thoughtful, no-pressure consultation.

What is Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (PaT)?

Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy is a form of medicine-assisted psychotherapy. Clients engage in guided psychedelic medicine sessions supported by clinicians trained in trauma-informed and mindfulness-based approaches that are rooted in scientific research.

At The Mindful Living Centre:

All services are delivered by regulated professionals working within the scope of their licenses.

All psychedelic-assisted sessions occur under medical supervision with licensed prescribers.

The process emphasizes safety, preparation, and integration as key elements of treatment, rather than just the psychedelic substance itself.

This model supports emotional reflection, expanded perspective, and deeper therapeutic exploration, while maintaining the highest standards of ethics, safety, and client choice.

Is This Approach Right for You?

Our eligibility process helps clients determine whether psychedelic-assisted therapy aligns with their goals, values, and overall well-being. This also ensures safety and appropriateness under the guidance of trained, regulated professionals.

You may be a good candidate if you are:

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Seeking a different therapeutic pathway after feeling stuck or stagnant

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Hoping to understand yourself more deeply

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Interested in a structured, reflective experience supported by licensed clinicians

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Curious about exploring your inner world in a safe, supportive environment

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Looking for a holistic approach that incorporates preparation, guided sessions, and integration

Screening and assessment may explore:

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Physical and medical history, including current medications

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Current mental-health status

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Readiness for experiential work

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Existing supports and coping strategies

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Alignment with your broader treatment plan

Important note: Psychedelic-assisted therapy is not suitable for everyone. Our clinical team conducts a thorough, multi-step screening process to ensure safety and determine fit.

Who Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Is Not For

Although eligibility requires clinical assessment, research literature suggests PaT may not be appropriate for individuals who:

  • Are experiencing a severe mental health crisis
  • Are unable to participate safely in guided inner-experiential work
  • Are in situations requiring crisis intervention
  • Have certain medical contraindications
  • Are seeking rapid change without therapeutic support

Please visit our Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Education Page to learn more about the potential contraindications for this treatment.

Safety, Contraindications & Risk Considerations

Safety is at the core of our program. Our clinical and medical teams follow strict protocols aligned with professional standards, current evidence, and Health Canada guidance.

Safety protocols include:

  • Comprehensive medical and psychological screening

  • Collaborative treatment planning and preparation for medicine sessions

  • Continuous monitoring during psychedelic-assisted sessions

  • Clear guidelines and strategies for grounding, pacing, and emotional support

  • Post-session follow-up and integration

Our commitment to safety

We maintain a trauma-informed, non-directive, client-centred environment throughout the process. All sessions occur in a controlled, supportive clinical setting with licensed prescribers and mental-health professionals present.

Dr. Brittany Aziz
Medical Director

Lisa Crellin
Registered Nurse Practitioner

Katherine Hambleton
Registered Nurse

Geoff Hudson
Registered Nurse

Dr. Santiago Hoyos
Co-Director of PaT Services

Dr. Chris Edmondstone
Co-Director of PaT Services

Dr. Chris Parrish
Clinical Director

 

Dr. Susan Sergeant
Psychologist

What to Expect: The Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Process

Our psychedelic-assisted therapy process is grounded in the research and clinical frameworks developed by leading organizations such as the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and pioneers like Roland Griffiths at Johns Hopkins University.

While these evidence-informed models provide a structured foundation, each client’s journey is unique. At The Mindful Living Centre, we adapt established protocols with care and flexibility—tailoring preparation, dosing, and integration to align with your individual goals, values, and overall well-being.

Preparation Sessions

(typically 2–5 sessions)

  • Conducting a general psychodiagnostic assessment and case formulation (if new to our Centre)
  • Establishing trust and rapport
  • Clarifying intentions and personal core values
  • Learning grounding and mindfulness tools
  • Reviewing safety guidelines
  • Collaboratively designing your therapeutic approach
Guided Psychedelic-Assisted Sessions

(conducted under medical supervision)

  • Held in a safe, comfortable clinical environment
  • Supported by trained clinicians throughout
  • Focused on inner exploration and emotional insight
  • Designed to help you access deeper layers of reflection
Integration Sessions

(typically 1–2 sessions following each medicine session)

  • Processing insights and emotions
  • Translating reflection into meaningful life changes
  • Strengthening clarity, alignment, and self-understanding

     

Integrating the experience into daily well-being and relationships

Follow-Up and Support
  • Continued monitoring of emotional well-being
  • Additional integration or therapy sessions as mutually agreed
  • Support with maintaining positive change and insight over time

This structured approach—combining thoughtful preparation, guided psychedelic sessions, and post-experience integration—supports deeper self-understanding, emotional insight, and meaningful personal growth that extends beyond the therapy room.

Integration & Aftercare

Integration is where much of the meaningful change occurs. Our clinicians work with you to help:

Understand themes, emotions, and insights from your medicine journeys

Clients often describe integration as the phase where insights translate into positive growth and personal transformation.

What the Evidence Says

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is an emerging field supported by a growing body of international research exploring:

Experiential therapeutic models

Because Health Canada restricts how clinics describe controlled substances on their service pages, here we do not discuss specific medicines, clinical outcomes, or efficacy claims.

Please visit our Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Education page to learn more about the evolving research and emerging frameworks in this field.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is psychedelic-assisted therapy?

A supervised therapeutic approach combining psychotherapy with carefully monitored experiential sessions involving psychedelic medicine.

How does the process work?

Through four phases: preparation, guided medicine sessions, integration sessions to help process and apply the insights gained during the psychedelic medicine sessions, and ongoing support.

Who provides the care?

Licensed prescribers and regulated mental-health professionals.

Is it safe?

Safety protocols, screening, supervision, and follow-up are embedded at every stage.

How do I know if it’s right for me?

We offer a structured eligibility and screening process to determine fit.

Is this legal?

All services are delivered in accordance with federal and provincial laws, Health Canada guidance, and within prescriber scope.

How long does the process take?

The number of preparation, experiential, and integration sessions varies by individual.

Service Area — Serving Clients Across Ontario

Happy woman talking to therapist during psychedelic-assisted therapy

Our team is proud to support clients from across Ontario. Preparation and integration sessions can be completed at any of our clinic locations in Milton, Burlington, or Oakville, or through virtual or hybrid appointments—whatever best supports your comfort and accessibility needs.

All medicine sessions are held in our dedicated Oakville office, designed specifically for safety, privacy, and reflective inner work.

A Note on Transparency: Because Health Canada has clear rules about what clinics may share publicly regarding psychedelic-assisted therapy, this page focuses on general education rather than detailed descriptions of substances, outcomes, or specific conditions.
Within these guidelines, we’ve done our best to provide information that is accurate, responsible, and helpful.
If you’d like to explore whether this pathway aligns with your needs, we encourage you to reach out.

Learn More About Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

If you’re curious about whether psychedelic-assisted therapy aligns with your needs, our team is here to help.

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Important Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice, psychotherapy, or a recommendation regarding any specific treatment, condition, or substance. Psychedelic-assisted therapy services at The Mindful Living Centre are delivered exclusively by licensed prescribers and regulated health professionals working within the scope of their practice and in accordance with provincial and federal regulations. Individual suitability for any service can only be determined through a formal clinical assessment. If you are experiencing a mental-health crisis, please contact local emergency services or a crisis support line.

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