Roots to Thrive
Psilocybin (group)
An 8-10 week community of practice program, weaving together the medicines of unconditional positive regard, community, and psilocybin assisted therapy to navigate the complexities of end-of-life distress.
Our psilocybin assisted therapy program (PaT) is for individuals with a terminal diagnosis who are experiencing end-of-life distress and anxiety. The complexities and trauma surrounding end of life can get ‘stuck’ in the body, guarded by our nervous system to help keep us safe. Psychedelic medicines like psilocybin help to cultivate the non-attachment and self-compassion necessary to access areas of ‘stickiness’ that are otherwise difficult to reach. From here, we work around the nervous system, granting us a greater ability to access and release stored trauma.
The program is moving from exemptions attained through the Health Canada approved Special Access Program to exemptions attained through a Clinical Trial process.
If you are thinking of applying to be a participant in a Roots to Thrive program, here are some questions to help you decide if this is a good fit for you.
- Do you have a terminal diagnosis with limited life expectancy?
- Do you have the time, energy, and interest to be an engaged and consistent participant in a small group of people who become a bonded community over 8-10 weeks in a community of practice gatherings and a psilocybin-assisted therapy session?
- If you are parenting, do you have solid child-care plans?
- Do you have a diagnosis of PTSD, depression, substance use disorder and/or anxiety that hasn’t shifted as well as you wish with medication, therapy, and other approaches although you have been doing your work and have made some progress?
- If you have self-medicated your distress with alcohol and/or drugs, is your life stable enough now to allow you to commit to a group process that counts on your open-hearted, fully present weekly participation?
Program Highlights
- 8-10 weekly virtual community of practice meetings
- Small group supported by two regulated professionals
- 1 psilocybin-assisted therapy session with your small group
- Multiple education and integration sessions
- Physician referral required
- Please note: out of province participants are subject to a higher price
Program Cost: $2800 + tax
Explore Sponsorship Options
Please consider supporting those with terminal health conditions who are facing end-of-life distress, and help us advance psychedelic research in the process!
For your tax-deductible donation, please visit giving.viu.ca, in drop-down list select "other," and type in "Psilocybin for End of life Distress"
Additional donation inquiries can be directed to the foundation@viu.ca
Past RTT PAT participant: Cat
Upcoming Cohorts
There are currently no cohorts available for this program.
Please, stay in touch for future cohorts though the field below.
Please, stay in touch for future cohorts though the field below.
Stay in touch for future cohorts!
The words Community of Practice…this is the sacred place where healing is encouraged and cultivated. Adding the medicine sessions has just sped up my healing. The most powerful things I have learned in this program is that it’s not about our stories. No one is expected to share details about how we ended up in the program, this created a culture of safety in my opinion. It’s about learning how to have compassion for yourself. It’s being reminded that everyone is on this journey, it takes practice and mindfulness to heal.
Past participant,
