TheraPsil Unveils MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy Training Program

TheraPsil, a non-profit focused on legal access to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in Canada, has unveiled its MDMA-assisted psychotherapy training program. The program is aimed at meeting the rising demand for training and treatment in MDMA therapy.

With its comprehensive Fundamentals of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy training programs, the non-profit has successfully trained over 500 healthcare professionals, establishing a network of dedicated psychedelic healthcare practitioners. Now, TheraPsil is poised to make a significant impact in the field by addressing the increasing demand for training and treatment in MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for trauma survivors.

The initial stage of this training program is anticipated to commence in early 2024 and will specifically target practitioners who have satisfactorily completed the theoretical component of TheraPsil's Fundamentals of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy training program. Practitioners who are interested are encouraged to submit their application through the designated application page.

The timing is opportune as MAPS recently revealed positive outcomes from its Phase 3 MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD treatment, putting it on course for potential FDA approval in 2024, which could have significant implications for Canada's regulatory frameworks. This could result in more efficient processes for approving and implementing psychedelic-assisted therapies in the country.

In 2020, thanks to extensive lobbying efforts by TheraPsil, Health Canada began sporadically granting s. 56 exemption requests for psilocybin-assisted therapy under Canada’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

These exemptions provided legal access to psilocybin in Canada outside of clinical studies for the first time in decades. However, there was no standardized procedure in place for the exemptions. There wasn't even a designated form for applicants to fill out. Instead, patients would write letters to Health Canada. The Minister of Health had the authority to decide whether to grant, deny, or ignore these requests at their discretion.

Pressed for a better means of access (again, largely by TheraPsil), Health Canada amended Special Access Program (SAP) regulations in January 2022. The rule change allowed those seeking access to psilocybin or MDMA-assisted therapy to apply by having their physician fill out and submit a Health Canada form. Applicants would be eligible for access through the SAP if they were suffering from a “serious or life-threatening condition” for which other conventional treatments had failed.

Despite the anticipation of improved accessibility, accessing psilocybin-assisted therapy has not unfolded as expected. On the contrary, Health Canada has been exceptionally restrictive in approving SAP requests for psilocybin and MDMA-assisted therapy.

Now, along with a coalition of organizations including TheraPsil, MAPS Canada, SABI Mind Clinic, Cybin Therapeutics, and others, Therapsil is currently undertaking initiatives to secure provincial funding for psilocybin therapy under the Special Access Program (SAP). The recent launch of Therapsil in Victoria garnered significant media attention, with coverage by CTV and the Georgia Straight. The event took place at the BC Legislature and included participation from students of UVic's Victoria Association for Psychedelic Studies.

These students are concerned about the accessibility of psilocybin therapy compared to medical assistance in dying (MAiD), or what they refer to as MAiL (medical assistance in living).

Therapsil aims to address this pressing issue by shifting their focus from federal lobbying to provincially-oriented efforts. They advocate for coverage of psilocybin therapy, particularly in light of the upcoming expansion of MAiD coverage within the next six months.

See press release below.

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TheraPsil Unveils MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy Training Program 

VANCOUVER, BC, September 25th, 2023 – TheraPsil, an non-profit organization dedicated to advancing legal access to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in Canada, is pleased to announce its latest endeavour, which has just received Board approval: an MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy Training Program. 

With over 500 healthcare professionals trained in its Fundamentals of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy training programs, TheraPsil has built a network of passionate psychedelic healthcare practitioners and is now poised to captivate the field by addressing the surging demand for training and treatment in the realm of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for trauma survivors. 

Curriculum development and rollout will be under the leadership of Dr. Ingrid Pacey, a distinguished TheraPsil trainer who served as the Principal Investigator of the MAPS Phase 2 MDMA trial in Vancouver. Dr. Pacey had this to say: 

“Psychotherapists need to be trained to work with a wide variety of psychedelics to best serve the needs of their prospective patients.” 

With this announcement, TheraPsil embarks on a new chapter of growth and innovation, enriching its mission to deliver safe, efficacious therapies for those grappling with mental health challenges. Notably, this expansion extends TheraPsil's advocacy efforts to include not only psilocybin but also MDMA, through the Special Access Program (SAP) for patients in medical need. 

Yasmeen deRosenroll, TheraPsil's Director of Training & Operations, shared her enthusiasm for this momentous development: 

“We are thrilled to unveil the expansion of our training programs, designed to offer comprehensive support to our valued stakeholders. Our organization is deeply dedicated to achieving clinical excellence while embracing a patient-centred philosophy. We are excited to extend our support to a wider array of trauma survivors, enhancing access to legal MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy through Health Canada's SAP program, and steadfastly addressing the diverse needs of the patients we serve.”

The pilot phase of this training is expected to launch in early 2024 and will cater to practitioners who have successfully completed the didactic component of TheraPsil’s Fundamentals of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy training program. Interested practitioners are invited to apply for this program by filling out this application page. 

For media inquiries or additional information, please contact: John Gilchrist 

TheraPsil Communications Manager 

john@therapsil.ca 

647-505-3964 

About TheraPsil 

TheraPsil is a non-profit organization committed to legalizing medical access to psychedelic therapy for patients in need. Established in 2019, TheraPsil champions the cause of regulated psychedelics, providing invaluable support for training, research, and clinical services in this groundbreaking field. For more information, please visit www.therapsil.ca.