Psychedelic-assisted therapy is an emerging therapeutic approach that combines psychological support with the intentional, guided use of psychedelic substances in regulated or approved settings. Research suggests this approach may support healing, insight, and emotional processing for some individuals when used ethically, safely, and within the law.
At Root & Rise Mental Health Services, we believe in providing accurate information, ethical care, and trauma-informed support so clients can make informed decisions about their healing journeys.
Psychedelic-assisted therapy typically involves three phases:
Preparation
Building trust, setting intentions, discussing expectations, and exploring personal history and safety considerations.
Psychedelic Experience
The use of a psychedelic substance in a legal, regulated, or approved context, supported by trained professionals.
Integration
Making sense of the experience, processing emotions or insights, and incorporating learning into daily life in meaningful and grounded ways.
The therapeutic relationship, psychological safety, and integration process are considered just as important as the experience itself.
Depending on jurisdiction and approval pathways, psychedelic-assisted therapy research and clinical programs may involve substances such as:
Psilocybin
MDMA
Ketamine (in medical settings)
**Legal access, approval, and regulation vary significantly. Not all substances or therapies are legal or available in Canada or Ontario.**
Current research and clinical programs are exploring psychedelic-assisted therapy for:
Trauma and post-traumatic stress
Depression and anxiety
End-of-life distress
Addiction and substance use challenges
Existential distress and meaning-making
It is important to note that psychedelic-assisted therapy is not appropriate for everyone, and outcomes vary based on individual history, context, and support.
❗ Root & Rise Mental Health Services does not: ❗
Provide or administer psychedelic substances
Facilitate access to illegal or controlled substances
Conduct psychedelic dosing sessions
✔ Root & Rise does provide: ✔
Psychedelic-informed education
Preparation and integration therapy
Trauma-informed psychological support
Ethical, non-directive counselling within the legal scope of social work practice in Ontario
All services are offered in compliance with provincial and federal law and professional ethical standards.
Psychedelic-informed integration therapy supports individuals who have:
Had past psychedelic experiences
Are considering participation in legal or regulated programs
Are seeking to understand and integrate insights from non-ordinary states of consciousness
Integration sessions focus on:
Emotional processing and regulation
Meaning-making and narrative integration
Grounding insights into daily life
Safety, consent, and self-compassion
Cultural, spiritual, and relational context
No assumptions are made about the meaning of an experience — clients are supported in discovering their own understanding.
Root & Rise approaches psychedelic-informed work through a lens of:
Trauma-informed care
Cultural humility and responsiveness
Intergenerational and systemic awareness
Consent-based, client-led exploration
Respect for Indigenous and traditional knowledge while avoiding appropriation
Healing is understood as non-linear, relational, and deeply personal.
Psychedelic-assisted approaches are not a quick fix and are not suitable for everyone. They require careful consideration of:
Mental and physical health history
Current stability and support systems
Personal readiness and intentions
Legal and ethical context
An intake or consultation session can help explore whether psychedelic-informed integration support is appropriate for your goals.
If you are curious about psychedelic-assisted therapy or are seeking safe, ethical integration support, you are welcome to book an initial consultation to ask questions and explore next steps.
This video offers a science-based overview of what happens in the brain when psilocybin is active. It explores how psilocybin can influence brain connectivity, perception, and patterns of thinking. It also highlights why researchers are studying psilocybin for potential mental health applications, while emphasizing that research is still evolving.
This video breaks down psilocybin in an easy-to-understand way, including how it interacts with serotonin receptors and why that matters. It outlines common short-term effects such as changes in perception, mood, and thought patterns. It also touches on therapeutic interest and why context, safety, and professional guidance matter in clinical settings.
In under six minutes, this video explains key theories about how psychedelics affect brain function — including shifts in brain network activity and increased cognitive flexibility. It also explores why psychedelics are being studied for conditions like depression and trauma-related distress. The focus is educational, grounded in emerging research, and centered on understanding the “why” behind psychedelic experiences.
