Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy:​ What Counsellors & Clinicians Need to Know

The landscape of mental health treatment is evolving rapidly, and psilocybin-assisted therapy is an emerging frontier in this evolution. Once considered taboo, psilocybin, the active compound found in psychedelic mushrooms (commonly known as “magic mushrooms”), is now being recognized as a promising catalyst for profound therapeutic breakthroughs in treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, substance abuse disorders, and other mental health challenges. For clients with treatment-resistant symptoms, where conventional medications and/or traditional therapeutic approaches brought little to no relief, psilocybin-assisted therapy has generated remarkable and long-lasting changes. This introductory workshop is designed to equip you with the knowledge needed to confidently discuss, refer, and support clients who are considering psilocybin-assisted therapy – whether or not you wish to offer this type of therapy yourself.

Psilocybin is legal for therapeutic use in Canada through Health Canada’s Special Access Program (SAP), so long as appropriate criteria are met, and psilocybin-assisted therapy is typically delivered by a physician and therapist team. The therapeutic effects of psilocybin are believed to arise from its ability to enhance neuroplasticity and promote a state of increased emotional openness and introspection, enabling clients to process traumatic experiences and gain new insights. It does so by interacting with the brain’s serotonin receptors to enhance perception, mood, and thinking. In turn, this helps to break negative thought patterns and supports emotional healing by increasing neural connectivity and promoting the reorganization of neural networks, potentially leading to the breakdown of entrenched thought patterns associated with mental health conditions like depression and anxiety.

The “magic” of psilocybin-assisted therapy is not solely due to the drug itself, however.  Taken on its own, outside of a therapeutic relationship, a carefully crafted process and experience, a particular setting, and appropriate preparation and follow up, psilocybin does not have the same transformative and lasting effect. The role of the therapist and therapy is vital. This is why it is called psilocybin assisted therapy and not just psilocybin therapy.

In this 3-hour workshop Melissa Pyne, a registered social worker (who – in collaboration with other healthcare providers – offers psilocybin assisted therapy in the province of Ontario, Canada), will provide a balanced and evidence-based view of the benefits and risks, criteria and contraindications, responsibilities and legalities associated with psilocybin-assisted therapy.  You will leave the workshop feeling better equipped to answer client questions, make informed referrals, and aid in the integration process, ensuring your clients receive the most comprehensive and supportive care possible. This workshop may also help you to decide whether or not this modality is something you are interested in taking further training on, in order to add it to your own toolkit.

You will learn:

Next steps and training recommendations for those interested in applying psilocybin-assisted therapy in their own settings

The basic neurobiological mechanisms of psilocybin and its effects on the brain and mental health

Benefits, common insights and positive outcomes clients may experience from psilocybin-assisted therapy

Contraindications and risks of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy

How to identify suitable candidates for psilocybin-assisted therapy

How to make informed referrals to qualified practitioners

The importance of set and setting, as well as preparation & integration

About dosing: the difference between a recreational dose of psilocybin, a “micro-dose” and a therapeutic dose

Requirements for practice

Essential safety protocols, ethical guidelines, and legal considerations

How to assist clients in integrating their psilocybin experiences into their overall mental health treatment plans.