Psilocybin Assisted Therapy
Welcome! – Regardless of whatever led you to stumble upon this page, we are grateful you did. At RVN Wellness, we provide a safe space to connect with a healing and psychedelic powers of psilocybin, a plant medicine, also known as forest medicine, known to treat a variety of ailments including depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, addiction, substance use, dementia, neurological disorders, chronic pain, and other common ailments. What is most promising about psilocybin is its ability to treat treatment resistant mental health issues – providing hope to so many people who feel as though they have tried everything for their mental health.
Psychedelic therapy is a new approach to managing mental health and it is recommended that this be done with the support of a trained therapist. There are several clinics and therapists offering psychedelic therapy in and around Vancouver and the lower mainland, and we recommend checking out different options before deciding on who you want to invite along for your journey. Our therapists at RVN have been trained through Therapsil, Canada’s leader in training for psychedelic assisted therapy.
At RVN Wellness, we offer individual and group psilocybin offerings in Port Moody, BC and Barrie, Ontario. Our psilocybin offerings may be covered by extended health benefits for those with extended health benefits covering Registered Social Work. If you require any additional information or would like to book a private group offering, please do not hesitate to reach out to dawn at rvnwellness.com.
Psilocybin Assisted Therapy
Meeting 1:1 with a trained therapist, you will work collaboratively to create a safe container to experience the benefits of psilocybin. You will have 3 preparation counselling sessions to set your intention, receive psychoeducation, and create a connection with the therapist prior to your medicine journey. Your medicine journey is a 5-8 hour session with two trained therapists to support you. Afterwards, you will have 3 integration sessions to debrief and integrate your experience. This offering may be covered by extended health plans where counselling by a Registered Social Worker is a benefit. You'll want to book a free 15 minute consultation first to ensure this package is right for you.
Microdose Consultation
Microdosing is taking a low, sub-perceptual dose of psilocybin on a regular basis. Microdosing is evidence based to be an effective treatment for depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
It is recommended that you book 3-4 sessions to establish the right microdose regime and schedule. Psychoeducation provided during a microdose consultation is not medical advice, and is within the educatioinal, supportive, and therapeutic guidelines of the therapists licensing body.
Microdose Sound Healing with Reiki, Barrie, Ontario, Date: TBA
This special evening will provide a safe container to experience the healing benefits of psilocybin combined with the somatic healing benefits of sound healing and reiki. This therapeutic evening is led by therapist/yoga instructor Dawn Slykhuis, and sound healer, Colleen Parker. This offering may be eligible for coverage under extended health benefits where counseling by a Registered Social Worker is a benefit. Next Offering: TBA
Microdose Sound Healing in Port Moody, BC, August 9, 2024
This special evening will provide a safe container to experience the healing benefits of psilocybin combined with the somatic healing benefits of sound healing and reiki. This therapeutic evening is led by therapist/yoga instructor Dawn Slykhuis, and sound healer, Stephanie Rose. This offering may be eligible for coverage under extended health benefits where counseling by a Registered Social Worker is a benefit. This event is for those 19+. $77 or included in unlimited studio memberships.
October 22 - November 5, 2024: A Walk Through the Forest
This four session group will be co-facilitated by Surya & Dawn to provide an opportunity to learn about the healing benefits of psilocybin in a safe group setting. This group will include a psychoeducation session, microdose session, macrodose session, and integration session. Please ensure you are available for all sessions before connecting for an intake. Exchange is $777, no GST for all four sessions, including materials, as well as an integration package. Email dawn@rvnwellness.com to book a brief intake.
This session may be covered by extended health benefits where counselling by an RSW is a benefit. You will receive counselling receipts for 4 sessions x $194.25 each.
October 20, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm - Introduction to Psilocybin
October 26, 5:00 pm - 9:00 pm - Microdose Ceremony
November 2, 2:00 pm - 10:00 pm - Macrodose Ceremony
November 10, 7:30 pm - 9:00 pm - Integration Session
*Virtual prep & integration sessions are available on October 22 & November 5
November 2024: Walk Through the Forest Alumni Retreat
A weekend retreat to go deeper into our plant medicine healing journey. This retreat is closed with registration applications accepted from those who have completed the Walk Through the Forest series. Email dawn@rvnwellness.com for more information.
Inner Child Retreat Weekend, September 6-8, 2024, Whitestone, Ontario
Our Whitestone Ontario retreat is an opportunity to go deeper within yourself through an immersive or intensive period of time including an optional microdose of psilocybin. Due to their therapeutic nature, and that much healing occurs when we connect to our inner child, retreats facilitated by Dawn may be eligible for coverage under extended health benefits where counselling by a Registered Social Worker is a benefit, to a maximum of $175/day.
You are encouraged to do your own research regarding psilocybin and the information provided here is not meant to be legal or medical advice.
Why offer psilocybin therapy?
The research around psilocybin is showing it to be a safe alternative to other approaches to managing mental health and physical health symptoms. Having a therapist alongside for the journey can enhance the safety and efficacy of the medication.
Does the therapist provide the psilocybin?
Therapists are unable to provide psilocybin for individuals and those accessing therapy will need to procure their own medicine, and the therapist will work within a harm reduction framework to support the journey. There are several psilocybin dispensaries online and located in Vancouver that you can connect with.
Is psilocybin legal in Canada?
Yes and no. Psilocybin is legal in Canada under the special access program for the treatment of anxiety, depression, and for end of life care. This requires a prescription from a physician. Without a prescription, psilocybin remain illegal, but several cities, including Vancouver have moved to decriminalize psilocybin for personal use.
Who is not appropriate for psilocybin therapy?
Those who are under 19, pregnant, or have a history of mania/psychosis are not currently candidates for psilocybin therapy. Those on psychotropic medications may find the benefits of psilocybin therapy to be limited. Please book a free 15 minute consultation to further determine if psilocybin assisted therapy is right for you.
Why don’t you provide psilocybin therapy for youth?
In Indigenous cultures, plant medicine is provided to youth and there is some great promise in treating some common mental health issues in youth however, we just aren’t there yet. Because we strive to provide services that are evidence based at RVN, we are following the research and once there is enough research supporting the safety and efficacy in youth, we hope to provide this service in the future.
If you have any additional questions about psilocybin assisted therapy, please reach out to dawn@rvnwellness.com
*Dawn works within the regulations around therapeutic use of psilocybin in Canada, primarily using a harm reduction approach and does not promote or provide illicit substances*