Workshop Description
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:
- 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.
- Next steps and training recommendations for those interested in applying psilocybin-assisted therapy in their own settings
You will receive:
- Login details and instructions emailed in advance of the workshop
- Downloadable handouts
- Certificate of attendance upon successful completion of a brief online quiz (if desired)
- Access to a recording of the workshop for a limited period of time after the workshop - so if you can’t join live, or need to miss part of the live workshop and want to view it afterwards, we’ve got you covered!
Instructor: Melissa Pyne, MSW, RSW
Location: Online Live Stream Event
Early Bird Cost: $99 CAD + GST/HST (if applicable) by Nov. 11, 2024
Regular Cost: $125 CAD + GST/HST (if applicable) after Nov. 11, 2024
**All prices are in CAD$. American Patrons - your dollar goes further! $1 CAD = $0.72 USD (as of July 29, 2024 - check online for current exchange rate)
REGISTRATION DEADLINE: December 12, 2024 at 10am ET
* Group Rates/Discounts are not available for this workshop.
Certificates of Attendance / CEU's / CE Information
For those requiring a Certificate of Attendance, certificates will be issued upon either:
1. Verification of 100% attendance during the live broadcast OR
2. Successful completion of a post-training quiz with a minimum score of 75% (multiple attempts allowed)*
*This option is for those who do not attend the full workshop “live”.
Certificates will indicate the number of direct education hours (3), not including breaks. Certificates may be used to qualify for eligibility for Continuing Education Credits from licensing boards and professional colleges; it is the participant’s responsibility to contact their college or association to confirm its requirements and the workshop's eligibility for CEU's / CE’s. This workshop has been pre-approved for 3 continuing education hours by the CACCF.
Cancellation Policy
An administrative fee of $50 will be charged for all cancellations. Cancellation 14 or more days prior to the workshop date – receive a refund, less $50 administration fee. Cancellation less than 14 days prior to the workshop date – receive a credit, less $50 administration fee, to be applied to a future workshop. No credit or refund will be issued if you do not notify us in advance of the workshop date. You may transfer your registration to another individual at no extra cost. In this case, please notify Mission: Empowerment of the name of the alternate person. The organizers reserve the right to cancel the event due to instructor illness, extreme weather, under-enrollment or other unforeseen circumstances. If a workshop is cancelled, any registration payment will be returned in full. Liability is limited to a refund of workshop/live-stream fees only.
Refunds will not be issued in cases where a registrant did not receive the workshop login instruction email due to email issues. It is the registrant’s responsibility to contact us if they don’t receive the required login information at least 24 hours prior to the start time of the workshop.
Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy:
What Counsellors & Clinicians Need to Know
ONLINE LIVE STREAM EVENT
December 12, 2024, 1:15pm – 4:30pm ET*
*Convert to your Time Zone
To learn more, visit www.innertrailheads.com or www.alethiapsychedelictherapy.com
About the Presenter
Melissa is a registered social worker with 20 years of experience in mental health and addiction counselling. Her diverse background spans both public and private sectors, including roles in Grand River Hospital's Adult Outpatient Mental Health and Addiction program.
Melissa is the founder of Inner Trailheads Counselling and Coaching Services, where she and her team provide personalized, evidence-based therapy. They offer a variety of modalities, including Internal Family Systems, EMDR, somatic and narrative therapy, CBT, DBT, and mindfulness-based practices.
As a shareholder at Alethia Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy, Melissa has observed the limitations of conventional treatments and embraced psychedelic-assisted therapy. She believes this approach helps individuals access their inner healing intelligence, a powerful guide for change. Melissa's goal is to help individuals create lasting transformation and healing in their lives.
Melissa holds a Professional Coaching Certification (PCC) from the International Coaches Federation, enabling her to work with clients across the mental health and wellness spectrum. She is particularly passionate about coaching front-line care providers to sustain their careers in high-burnout professions.
With a BA (Hons) in psychology from York University and a Master of Social Work from Laurier, Melissa is a lifelong learner who loves teaching and mentoring new students.
Can’t attend live? Register anyway to get 60-day access to the workshop recordings and materials after the course.