My Therapy Work
The Emerging World of Psychedelics and Plant Medicine
The Emerging World of Psychedelics and Plant Medicine
Current research with psychedelics is yielding promising results in the treatment of trauma, end of life anxiety, depression and addiction. All indications are that many psychedelics (as they are known today) will be legally available for use, balanced for both risk and benefit.
However, serious negative effects are documented from illegal and recreational use of psychedelics. This is especially true for people with pre-existing mental health challenges or at-risk members of our society. We are advocates of the healing potential that psychedelics are being shown to have in legal therapeutic and ceremonial settings. To learn more regarding the research and advances towards the legalization of psychedelics in Canada, as well as clinical trials, we recommend following some of the sites below.
To Find a Clinical Trial to Participate in:
- NCBI – WWW Error Blocked Diagnostic
- Participate in a Trial – Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies – MAPS
- PAC – Clinical Trials
Our primary focus is about harm reduction and post-consumption management under the ethic of harm reduction. We want to ensure safety.
Do We Prescribe or Administer Psychedelics?
We do not refer our clients to any illegal sources to access nor do we prescribe any drug, legal or otherwise. Please understand that I am not licensed to practice medicine and therefore am not legally able to suggest, recommend, encourage, or advise you to take any drug, legal or not.
We do know that there is a significant body of literature that indicates that psychedelics could be helpful in some situations, while in others it creates risks. In the interest of harm reduction and to act within legal and ethical bounds with people who choose to use these substances, we will provide access to information as well as access to therapy to integrate past experiences. We are advocates for proper medical care as well as the traditional knowledge of shamans, both of whom have had extensive training in the use and care of these psychedelics and plant medicines.
Regarding Ketamine, it is generally prohibited under Schedule I of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. However, it is permitted for and common in medical use, and is the only psychedelic substance (other than cannabis) currently permitted for broad therapeutic use in Canada, with clinics operating throughout Canadian cities.
Regarding other psychedelics, two types of exemption currently exist: the first is applicable under section 56 (1) from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, S.C. 1996, c. 19 (CDSA) and the second one is called the Special Access Program (SAP), applicable through section C.08.010 (1) from the Food and Drug Regulations, C.R.C., c. 870 (FDR).
In 2022, when the Special Access Program (SAP) authorized the use of psilocybin and MDMA for therapy, it was only for end-of-life cases. However, recently Health Canada has expanded SAP’s approval to include Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) as well as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), opening the door for mental health practitioners to legally work with a physician to deliver psychedelic-assisted therapy in Canada.
If you have interest in psychedelic assisted therapy or are training in this field, please reach out so we can collaborate with leaders in these exemption areas.
Does THERAPY help with non-ordinary states and altered states of consciousness?
To be clear, non ordinary states/altered states of consciousness can also be experienced without substances. There are degrees. For instance, holotropic breathwork, shamanic and Indigeneous healing ceremonies, intentional and guided dreaming states, hypnotherapy, sound and light therapies, have all been know to do this.
So yes, therapy can and does help with all of these states. As stated, we take a harm reduction approach to promote education and safety in all non-ordinary states. We offer a safe, confidential space to process, explore, and share challenges and insights that may have happened in non-ordinary states and the potential for the personal transformation that they offer. This includes all the examples listed above, to name only a few non-ordinary states that you may want to explore in a session.
Emerging Changes
Wallace Murray & Associates are focusing on educational and training opportunities in psychedelic and plant medicine support and integration along with our continued learning into many other non-ordinary states. With the emergence of psychedelics and plant medicine as being a part of clinical healing modalities, we feel that increased focus on psychedelic harm reduction and psychedelic crisis response is the best way we can be of service to this emerging field at this time.
As legislation in Canada is evolving and different jurisdictions allow for psychedelics, we are doing our best to stay current. At present, I have completed both a Psychedelic Therapy Training Program Certificate as well as an Advanced Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (PaT) Training Certificate. I have also completed the Microprogram in Psychedelics & Spirituality Studies at the University of Ottawa. I am presently researching possibilities to complete an MA and further research in this area.
Our future aim is to continue learning within clinical trials, from knowledge keepers in these areas, and to provide complex individual treatment plans in our Canadian partner multidisciplinary clinics as well as participate in and offer retreats in legal jurisdictions.