Is Psychedelic‑Assisted Therapy Available in Hamilton?
Psychedelic‑assisted therapy (PaT) is an emerging approach to mental health care that is generating growing interest across Canada — including here in Hamilton. Many people are searching for grounded, trustworthy information:
Is PaT available?
Is PaT legal?
And what does it actually look like in practice?
At Access Therapy, we want to offer clear, ethical, and non‑sensationalized answers through our ongoing blog posts. There will be more and more posts that speak directly to this as we approach our launch date. Stay Tuned!
The Short Answer: Access Is Emerging — and Expanding
Yes, psychedelic‑assisted therapy is beginning to become available in Hamilton, though access is still limited and carefully regulated. Certain forms of PaT — most commonly ketamine‑assisted therapy — are currently the most accessible option within legal medical frameworks in Ontario.
We are preparing to open our psychedelic‑assisted therapy program in Spring 2026, beginning with ketamine‑assisted therapy, offered in a structured, therapeutic, and deeply human‑centred way.
What Do We Mean by Psychedelic‑Assisted Therapy?
Psychedelic‑assisted therapy is not simply about taking a medication or having a one‑time experience. It is a therapeutic process that combines:
Careful screening and assessment
Intentional preparation with a trained therapist
A guided medicine session (when appropriate)
Ongoing integration therapy to support lasting change
At its core, PaT is about creating the right conditions for insight, emotional processing, and healing, while prioritizing safety, consent, and psychological support at every step.
Why Ketamine‑Assisted Therapy?
Ketamine is currently the most established and legally accessible psychedelic‑assisted option in Ontario. When used within a therapeutic framework, ketamine may help some individuals:
Access emotional material that feels blocked or unreachable
Experience a shift in perspective or rigid thought patterns
Engage more deeply in therapy when other approaches have stalled
It is important to note that ketamine‑assisted therapy is not a cure‑all, and it is not appropriate for everyone. This is why careful screening, collaboration with medical providers, and ongoing therapeutic support are essential.
Our Approach to PaT at Access Therapy
As we prepare to offer PaT in Hamilton, our priority is not speed or volume — it is depth, care, and ethical practice.
We are intentionally designing our program so that clients do not feel:
Like a number in a clinical system
Rushed through a protocol
Reduced to a diagnosis
Instead, our focus is on relational, trauma‑informed care that honours each person’s story, nervous system, and pace.
This means:
Thoughtful preparation rather than rushing into medicine sessions
Creating a setting that feels safe, grounded, and human — not sterile
Ongoing integration work so insights can translate into real‑world change
Clear boundaries around safety, consent, and ethical practice
For us, psychedelic‑assisted therapy is not about chasing peak experiences. It is about supporting deeper healing when done carefully, respectfully, and responsibly.
When Will Psychedelic‑Assisted Therapy Be Available at Access Therapy?
We are planning to open our ketamine‑assisted therapy services in Spring 2026.
As we move closer to launch, we will share more details about:
Eligibility and screening criteria
What the full therapeutic process looks like
How preparation and integration sessions work
How we collaborate with medical providers when needed
If You’re Curious or Considering PaT
It’s normal to feel both curious and cautious about psychedelic‑assisted therapy. Questions about safety, legality, readiness, and fit are not only welcome — they’re important.
If you’re exploring whether PaT might be right for you, we encourage a slow, informed approach. Learning, asking questions, and understanding your own mental health history are meaningful first steps.
As this work becomes available in Hamilton, our commitment is to offer care that is ethical, grounded, and deeply respectful of the vulnerability involved in healing.
Curious and Want to Learn More?
If you’re wondering whether psychedelic-assisted therapy might be right for you — or you simply want more information — we offer a free, no-obligation information call.
This call is a space to:
Ask questions in a grounded, non-pressured way
Learn more about our upcoming ketamine-assisted therapy program
Understand what the process involves and whether it may be a fit for you
There is no expectation to commit. Our goal is to support informed, thoughtful decision-making.
Future blog posts will explore how psychedelic-assisted therapy works, who it may (and may not) be appropriate for, preparation and integration practices, and what current research tells us about long-term outcomes.
