Something is shifting in Canadian mental health care. For decades, people living with Severe Depression, Bipolar Disorder, PTSD, and treatment-resistant mood disorders had few options beyond cycling through medications that didn’t work. Today, a clinically grounded, medically supervised approach – psychedelic-assisted therapy – is quietly transforming what’s possible.

At Braxia Health, Canada’s first clinic to specialize exclusively in rapid-acting infusion treatments for mood disorders, we’ve delivered over 30,000 treatments to patients at our clinic in Mississauga and virtually across Ontario. This guide answers every question we hear from new patients: what it is, who qualifies, what the experience is like, and what to expect when you walk through our doors.

What Is Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy?

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is a clinically supervised treatment model that uses carefully dosed, rapid-acting medications to produce a therapeutic window – a period of neurological flexibility in which the brain becomes more receptive to change. This window is then supported by psychotherapy and integration work to produce lasting improvements in mood, cognition, and emotional regulation.

In Canada, the most widely available and clinically validated form of this treatment uses a medication that has been approved by Health Canada as an anesthetic and is used off-label for the treatment of mood disorders – a use now supported by Canadian clinical guidelines (CANMAT 2023) and a growing body of peer-reviewed evidence including multiple randomized controlled trials.

It is not a recreational experience. It is not experimental. It is a structured, evidence-based medical treatment delivered under 1:1 nursing supervision by a team of physicians, psychiatrists, and psychotherapists.

Who Is a Candidate for This Treatment?

Psychedelic-assisted therapy at Braxia Health is designed primarily for patients with:

•  Treatment-resistant depression (TRD) – typically defined as two or more failed antidepressant trials at adequate doses

•  Major depressive disorder (MDD) with inadequate response to standard care

•  PTSD and complex trauma – particularly where conventional therapy has plateaued

•  Bipolar depression (assessed case-by-case with psychiatrist oversight)

A community healthcare provider referral is always required before treatment begins. This ensures we have a complete clinical picture of your history, current medications, and care team – and that you remain supported after your course of treatment.

What Happens During the Intake Process?

The first visit to Braxia Health is an assessment, not a treatment. Here’s what to expect:

•  Intake form and history review: After completing our intake assessment forms, a physician will review your medical history, current medications, prior psychiatric treatments, and reasons for seeking care.

•  Physician assessment: A Braxia physician (often a psychiatrist) meets with you to confirm eligibility, explain the treatment options available to you (intravenous infusion, sublingual oral, or virtual at-home program), and answer your questions.

•  Informed consent: You’ll receive a detailed explanation of what the treatment involves, expected effects, potential side effects (most commonly mild dissociative sensations and brief cardiovascular changes that resolve quickly), and the structure of your treatment course.

•  Treatment planning: Together, you and your care team design your induction series – typically six sessions – and discuss whether psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) integration sessions are recommended.

The Induction Series: Six Sessions That Can Change Everything

The most common treatment course at Braxia Health is a six-session induction series delivered over six weeks by an anesthesiologist. Each session is monitored by a registered nurse (1:1 throughout), takes place in a private, calm clinical room, and lasts approximately 45-60 minutes for the treatment itself, plus preparation and recovery time.

The majority of patients begin to notice improvements in mood within hours to days of their first treatment – a response time that is simply not possible with conventional antidepressants, which typically require four to six weeks (Murrough et al., 2013, JAMA Psychiatry). For patients in acute distress or with active suicidal ideation, this rapid-acting effect can be life-changing.

After the induction series, not all patients require maintenance treatment, but many choose to continue with periodic sessions to help sustain their response over time. This is personalized to your needs and monitored by your Braxia physician.

What Makes Braxia Health Different?

We’re often asked what sets Braxia apart from other mental health providers. A few things stand out:

•  Canada’s first and most experienced clinic in this treatment category – with over 30,000 treatments delivered since our founding

•  Safety protocols developed by one of Canada’s leading psychiatrists in this field

•  1:1 nurse monitoring throughout every session – no exceptions

•  Three delivery options: intravenous infusion (IV), sublingual oral (in-clinic), and sublingual oral (virtual at-home program for Ontario residents)

•  In-house psychotherapists for integrated psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP)

•  On-site pharmacy – compounding, dispensing, and clinical trial support under one roof

•  The only clinic in Canada offering this treatment for adolescents through a supervised sublingual program

Is This Treatment Covered by Insurance?

This is one of the most common questions we receive. Currently, most provincial health plans do not cover this treatment for mental health indications, though physician consultation fees may be covered under provincial health plans. Veterans may have coverage through their benefits, and WSIB patients may have coverage depending on their claim. Some extended health plans provide partial coverage. Our team will help you navigate your options.

The physician consultation and intake process at Braxia Health is free of charge, regardless of whether you decide to continue with treatment. We are committed to transparent pricing and will provide a full breakdown at your initial assessment. We also offer guidance on financing options for patients who need flexibility.

Virtual Access Across Ontario

Braxia Health’s virtual sublingual program makes this treatment accessible to Ontario patients who cannot travel to our Mississauga clinic. Virtual consultations, remote monitoring, and ongoing care coordination mean that patients across Ontario can access the same clinical standards without leaving home. The virtual program is currently available in Ontario, with other provinces coming soon. Please note that the virtual program is not available to adolescents.

Taking the First Step

If you’ve been living with depression, PTSD, or a mood disorder that hasn’t responded to conventional treatment, you don’t have to keep waiting. The evidence is clear. The treatment is available. And the team at Braxia Health is ready to support you.

To get started, speak with your family physician or psychiatrist about a referral to Braxia Health. You can also contact our intake team directly to ask questions before committing to an assessment.

Braxia Health is located at 1100 Dundas St W, Unit 7-8, Mississauga, ON. Virtual consultations available to Ontario residents (other provinces coming soon).

This content is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions about your treatment.