FAQs

As an important part of the preparation process, we believe that participants should be well informed and have as many of their questions answered prior to starting with Roots to Thrive. Below you will find some of the most common questions we receive.

Ketamine is a medication that has been in common use since the 1970’s. It’s most common uses include as an anesthetic and for pain relief. More recently it has found clinical success in psychiatry as a rapid acting antidepressant, for suicidal ideation, social anxiety and generalized anxiety disorder, OCD, PTSD, substance use disorders, and eating disorders.

Psilocybin is a naturally-occurring chemical found in certain types of fungi. Psilocybin mushrooms may also be referred to by it’s other more commonly known name, “magic mushrooms.” Indigenous cultures have used psilocybin mushrooms, among other plant medicine teachers, for thousands of years as part of sacred ceremony. Psilocybin mushrooms are considered a classic psychedelic. Other examples of classic psychedelics include mescaline, LSD, and DMT. Interestingly, psilocybin has a better safety profile than aspirin. The effects of psilocybin can last anywhere from 4-8 hours following ingestion (dependent on dosage and metabolism, among other factors). Psilocybin has shown promising results in the research for concerns such as depression, end-of-life anxiety, cluster headaches, nicotine dependence, addictions, and other mental health issues.

We use intramuscular ketamine for the accuracy in dosing and the consistent onset and duration.

You will continue to work with your primary care health provider during and following your program with us. Many people are able to adjust or wean off medications and this must be done with your primary care provider in a safe and thoughtful manner.

We are honored to hold our Ketamine Assisted Therapy Sessions at Snuneymuxw Hulit Lelum (Health Centre). Snuneymuxw Chief and Council have a mandatory double vaccination policy in place for all RTT team members.  Participants are not required to have this double vaccination. This policy serves to protect the health and wellness of Snuneymuxw community members.

 

The Roots To Thrive Team has a large group of MDMA trained therapists. We will begin offering MDMA therapy when Health Canada allows us to.

At this time we do not offer cannabis-assisted therapy.

To join the alumni program, you must first complete one of our Roots to Thrive programs, at which point you will automatically become a Roots to Thrive Alumni. From there, you may choose to join the Alumni Program with the option of additional ketamine sessions.

Up to this point, our team has reviewed this on a case-by-case basis. We have identified a need to make some adjustments to our process, which is now currently under development. Please continue to check this FAQ page for updates. We are hoping to have this stream ready for Cohort 7.

This program is not yet covered by the BC Medical Services Plan.

  1. Roots to Thrive Resilience: Roots to Thrive Virtual (without Ketamine Assisted Therapy) $2,000 (plus GST). 12 weeks in duration.
  2. Roots to Thrive Ketamine: Roots to Thrive with 3 sessions of Ketamine Assisted Therapy $5,850.00 (plus GST). 12 weeks in duration.
  3. Roots to Thrive Psilocybin: Roots to Thrive with one Psilocybin assisted therapy session $2,800 (plus GST). 8 weeks in duration.

A $500 non-refundable deposit is required prior to your initial intake appointment for all streams, unless funded through a scholarship.

Roots to Thrive Ketamine: Roots to Thrive with 3 sessions of Ketamine Assisted Therapy $7,450 CAD (plus GST if applicable). 12 weeks in duration.

As a non-profit society, Roots to Thrive relies on extensive volunteer hours and participant program fees to keep our program operational. We must financially break even, or we cannot continue to offer our programming.

Prior to your first intake appointment, a $500 non-refundable deposit is required. This cover the cost of the intake process and serves as a deposit for your participation. Should our Intake Team determine that the program is not a good fit for you at this time, your deposit will be refunded. The balance of your invoice is due by the program start date. Subsequent payments may be made toward your balance between your initial intake, and the program start date, to allow for spacing of your payments as needed.

Full payments MUST be received by the start date, or participation will not be permitted.

Payments for Alumni KAT Sessions must be received prior to your appointment time; without receipt of payment, individuals will not be able to participate.

Roots to Thrive Ketamine:

  • Refund requested before start of Community of Practice #1: Full refund, minus the $500 deposit.
  • Refund requested before start of Community of Practice #2: 50% refund, minus the $500 deposit.
  • No refunds are given after Community of Practice #2

Alumni and Roots to Thrive Resilience:

  • After the program start date, refunds are not given for the RTT Virtual program (without Ketamine Assisted Therapy) or Alumni programs.