MAPS Canada regularly hosts webinars featuring leading experts from around the world. Find out more about our upcoming webinars or watch past webinars!
MAPS CANADA UPCOMING WEBINARS
March 25, 2026
MAPS Canada presents:
The role of psychedelic-assisted therapy for substance use disorders
Join MAPS Canada to explore the relationship between psychedelic-assisted therapy and substance use disorders.
Treating substance use disorders is one of the most pressing issues in Canada. Every year, substance use disorders kill thousands of Canadians and cost the healthcare and criminal justice systems billions of dollars. While conventional treatment methods remain the frontline option, psychedelic-assisted therapy has shown significant potential in treating challenging cases of substance use disorder.
This webinar will bring together an expert in drug-related harm, a psychiatric historian, a clinical researcher, a physician, and a firefighter with lived experience to provide a comprehensive discussion on the role of psychedelic-assisted therapy in the treatment of substance use disorders.
Learning Objectives
- Understand the burden of substance use disorders in Canada
Understand the negative impact of substance use disorders, with a particular spotlight on alcohol and opioids, and their related social costs and harms in Canada. - Explore harm reduction policies and traditional treatments
Learn about policies and interventions that can increase or decrease substance use related harms as well as the best known traditional treatment methods. - Discover the Canadian history of psychedelic-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder
Gain an understanding of the history of psychedelic-assisted therapy as a treatment method for alcohol use disorder in Canada. - Review current Canadian clinical trials
Discover current clinical trials in Canada that are gathering scientific evidence on the efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapy on substance use disorders. - Examine an upcoming psilocybin trial at CAMH
Gain an in-depth understanding on the research design of an upcoming clinical trial at Toronto’s CAMH on the impact of psilocybin on patients with major depressive disorder and alcohol use disorder. - Understand the mechanisms of psychedelic-assisted therapy
Explore the neurological, psychological and spiritual mechanisms by which psychedelic-assisted therapy treats substance use disorder. - Navigate legal pathways and barriers to access
Understand current legal pathways and existing barriers for access to psychedelic-assisted therapy for substance use disorders. - Hear from lived experience
Find out from someone with lived experience treating their substance use disorder with psychedelic-assisted therapy how it improved their life.
Panelists:
Erika Dyck – Professor and Canada Research Chair, University of Saskatchewan
Erika Dyck is a Professor and a Canada Research Chair in the History of Health & Social Justice. Her interdisciplinary research brings social sciences and humanities perspectives to scientific and medical subjects. Her work has been published in medical, legal, economic, literary, philosophical, anthropological and historical venues. She is the author or editor of several books, including: Psychedelic Psychiatry: LSD from Clinic to Campus. She is an expert on the history of psychedelics in Canada, including clinical trials of psychedelic-assisted therapy for alcohol use disorder in the prairies in the 20th century
Timothy Stockwell – Director of Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research
Tim held the position of director of the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR, formerly the Centre for Addictions Research of BC) from its inception in 2004 until 2020. He has also been a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Victoria since 2004. Tim is committed to the advancement of public policy on substance use issues, and has established CISUR as a research institute which aims to shed light on the social, cultural and psychological determinants of harmful substance use, which applies rigorous measures of patterns of use and related harms, and which advances knowledge of effective policy and practice.
Bernard Le Foll – Senior Scientist at CAMH, Chair of Addiction Psychiatry University of Toronto
Dr Bernard Le Foll, MD PhD MCFP (AM), is a clinician-scientist specialized in drug addiction. He is Senior Scientist at CAMH. He is Chair of Addiction Psychiatry and Professor at University of Toronto. He is also the Vice-President Research and Academics and Chief Scientific Officer at the Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care. His multi-disciplinary research approach seeks to develop better treatment for addiction and understand the addiction neurobiology. He obtained >100 grants and published around 400 peer-reviewed scientific articles. He has led multiple clinical trials, developed clinical guidelines and has been invited to speak at Senate and House of Commons on addiction related issues.He got the first CIHR grant awarded to test psilocybin for addiction treatment
Pamela Kryskow – Medical doctor & Medical Lead of Roots To Thrive
Dr. Pamela Kryskow is a medical doctor and the medical lead of the Non Profit Roots To Thrive Psychedelic Assisted Therapy Programs that treats people with PTSD, depression, anxiety, substance use challenges, disordered eating and people with end of life distress. She is a founding board member of the Psychedelic Association of Canada and the Medical Chair of the Vancouver Island University Post Graduate Certificate in Psychedelic Medicine assisted Therapy. Ongoing research includes Psilocybin, MDMA, Ketamine, microdosing (microdose.me), front line health care workers and first responders mental wellness. Prior to studying medicine she was a City of Coquitlam Firefighter for 8 years and provincial forestry firefighter for 4 seasons. In real life she loves hiking in the forest, ocean kayaking, growing kale and daydreaming in the hammock. Her heritage includes Polish, Ukrainian, and German. She currently resides in the traditional unceded territory of the Klahoose First Nations. Pronouns: She/her.
Darren Wayne – Firefighter and Paramedic
Darren spent 13 years as a firefighter and paramedic. He ignored the signs and symptoms of PTSD until he couldn’t any longer. He went on WCB leave and was treated for workplace injury. He spent the last 7 years trying to recover and return back to “himself”. Traditional therapy, EMDR and CBT didn’t get rid of the feelings plaguing his head and heart, and the trialing of several antidepressants didn’t make anything better and arguably just created new problems to deal with. Over the past year he has undergone several ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin assisted therapy sessions.
Host:
Kyle Sittek-Lumsden
Kyle completed his bachelor of arts in political science and sociology at the University of Toronto, and Masters of Public Policy at the Munk School of Public Policy and Global Affairs where he wrote his Capstone Thesis on reducing the harm of licit and illicit substances through evidence-based public policy. He has volunteered in drug policy since 2015. He has an occupational background working for the Ontario Public Service at the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation, and Trade as well as previous experience working on criminological research projects and in the private education sector. Kyle became interested in the subject of treating substance use disorders with psychedelic-assisted therapy after witnessing a family member try and fail conventional treatments for alcohol use disorder.
MAPS CANADA PREVIOUS WEBINARS
January 28, 2026
MAPS Canada presents:
Update From Alberta: The Evolution of Psychedelic Assisted Therapy
Wed, January 28th 7pm EST / 4pm PST
As psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) continues to develop within Canada’s regulated healthcare landscape, regulatory bodies are increasingly clarifying expectations related to competence, boundaries, accountability, and collaboration, particularly where psychotherapy intersects with medically regulated substances.
In Alberta, professional guidance from the Alberta College of Social Workers (ACSW) and expectations articulated by the College of Alberta Psychologists (CAP), make it clear that psychedelic-assisted therapy cannot be practiced in isolation. Instead, it requires interdisciplinary, team-based models of care that align psychological practice with medical oversight, ethical standards, and regulatory compliance.
This webinar will explore how evolving scope of practice and regulatory interpretation are shaping who can do what, under what conditions, and in collaboration with whom in psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Particular attention will be given to co-care and interdisciplinary models as practical, compliant pathways that support access, continuity of care, and professional integrity across disciplines.
Participants will be invited to:
- Reflect on how evolving scope of practice impacts their professional roles
- Identify where interdisciplinary models can strengthen compliance and care
- Engage with MAPS Canada’s ongoing advocacy and policy efforts to support responsible psychedelic-assisted therapy pathways
Learning Objectives
- Understand evolving scope of practice
Examine how psychology roles are expanding and being clarified in the context of PAT and identify responsibilities related to assessment, preparation, integration, and therapeutic care - Explore regulatory guidance in Alberta/Canada
Learn about the National Guidance and evolution in scope of practice, and review AB expectations regarding therapist participation within regulated, interdisciplinary frameworks - Examine interdisciplinary and co-care models
Understand why team-based care is increasingly required for compliant PAT delivery and explore how co-care models (AB specific) support ethical practice, role clarity, and shared accountability. - Translating policy into practice
Gain practical insights for clinicians, clinics, and organizations navigating evolving regulation and scope
Panelists:
Priya Bains – R. Psych. Psychology Lead, ATMA CENA Psychedelic Healthcare Solutions
Priya is a registered psychologist and has been working in collaboration with clients for nearly 20 years in Alberta. Early in her career, she was introduced to somatic therapy and trauma therapy, which sparked her curiosity about how the body holds psychological burdens and patterns. Her undergraduate degree in neuropsychology shaped her belief that everything psychological is, at its core, biological. As a Certified Hakomi Practitioner, she learned various frameworks for understanding developmental patterns and the “stuckness” clients often experience. Her work is informed by Self-Regulation Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Attachment Theory, and Hakomi. Her curiosity later led her to explore psychedelic medicine and its potential to facilitate the softening and opening of the unconscious mind, which allows for easier access to these stuck patterns.
Priya currently works at ATMA CENA in Edmonton as a clinician on the interdisciplinary team and also provides leadership and supervision in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and somatic therapy.
Dr. Mitch Colp – Ph.D., R. Psych, CEO Hexagon Psychology
Dr. Mitch Colp is a Registered Psychologist and Chief Executive Officer of Hexagon Psychology. He has held senior clinical and executive leadership roles across Alberta and within national professional associations. His work focuses on psychological assessment, consultation, and intervention with children, adolescents, and adults in school and private practice settings. Dr. Colp also supports the development of training standards, ethical guidelines, and workforce frameworks in psychology. He holds academic appointments with multiple Canadian universities and regularly delivers national training in psychological assessment, ethical decision-making, and evolving regulatory and professional practice standards.
Host:
Reverdi Darda – RN, BScN , Board Chair MAPS Canada
Reverdi Darda, RN is the Founder & CEO of ATMA CENA Psychedelic Healthcare Solutions, a Canadian organization pioneering a co‑care model that pairs community therapists with robust medical oversight to deliver evidence‑based psychedelic‑assisted therapies. Drawing on 35 years of nursing and executive experience, Reverdi has built a national network of clinics and practitioners who support legal access to ketamine assisted therapy, as well as psilocybin, and MDMA assisted therapy under Health Canada’s Special Access Program. She champions interdisciplinary teamwork, culturally informed practice, and the use of digital tools to make innovative mental‑health care safe, scalable, and equitable.
An active policy advocate and MAPS Canada board member, Reverdi works to enhance access to underserved communities and advance real‑world research in psychedelic medicine.
December 17 2025
MAPS Canada presents:
A Stakeholder-Funded Model for Psychedelics Clinical Trials
Wed, December 17th 7pm EST / 4pm PST
Therapsil recently launched a clinical trial in Canada exploring how psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy can improve overall wellbeing.
This initiative is unique for several reasons. In part because it does not target a particular disease state. Also, unlike typical industry-sponsored trials, this trial is “stakeholder-funded”, meaning that participants must pay to participate. Join us on Dec 17th to learn more about this innovative trial, the motivations behind it, and the scientific and ethical considerations that it evokes.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the goals and design of Therapsil’s new psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy clinical trial.
- Differentiate stakeholder-funded clinical research from traditional industry-sponsored trials.
- Assess the potential benefits and challenges associated with stakeholder-funded models in psychedelic research.
- Understand the motivations behind launching a wellbeing-focused psychedelic trial at this time.
- Identify key scientific considerations, including study methodology, safety protocols, and outcome measures.
- Discuss the ethical questions raised by charging participants to join a clinical trial.
- Evaluate how this model could shape the future of psychedelic research and access pathways in Canada.
Panelists:
Kamaya Lawrence
Kamaya is a clinical research professional at the forefront of innovative and inclusive psychedelic science. With a background in neuroscience and a passion for bridging the gap between community health and research, Kamaya brings both academic rigor and heart-centered vision to her work. As Clinical Research Director at Hippo, she leads design and operations of clinical trials, including PsilWell, the world’s first patient-funded psychedelic clinical trial. As a research professional deeply committed to accessibility, Kamaya is passionate about empowering patient-funded studies that prioritize equity, participation, and meaningful care.
Spencer Hawkswell
Spencer Hawkswell is the President and CEO of TheraPsil, a Canadian non-profit that trains healthcare professionals and advocates for medical psilocybin regulations. He is also the founder of Hippo Science, a clinical research organization advancing patient-driven access to psychedelic therapies. Since 2019, Spencer has led national efforts to secure compassionate access to psilocybin and MDMA and has helped establish TheraPsil as a leader in psychedelic therapist training and clinical protocol development.
Through work at TheraPsil and Hippo Science, Spencer is developing a stakeholder-funded research model to generate high-quality clinical evidence across multiple indications for psilocybin, MDMA, and other psychedelic medicines. His focus is on creating ethical, accessible, and evidence-based pathways for regulatory approval and patient care.
Hosts:
Sonia Brodie
Sonia is a long-standing clinical research enthusiast with a wealth of experience in operationalizing pharmaceutical and medical device trials, balancing scientific rigor with a strong understanding of the unique considerations for psychedelic research. Her technical experience spans from protocol development, to regulatory applications, efficient study start-up processes, clinical trial management, establishing quality management systems and standard operating procedures, data analysis, and knowledge translation across a wide range of study types and interventions. She has consulted and advised on a variety of psychedelic research initiatives, including the world’s largest microdosing study, and established a clinical trials site for psychedelic research, which has consistently performed as the top enrolling site in Canada for several global Phase II and III randomized controlled trials. As Director of Growth and Partnerships with CaRe Clinics, her focus is on building and nurturing collaborative relationships with industry sponsors, CROs, healthcare providers, and policy makers to help bring more clinical trials to Canada. She is also on the board of directors for MAPS Canada.
Rielle Capler
Rielle has Masters in Health Administration and earned a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of British Columbia, focused on access to medical cannabis under different regulatory frameworks in Canada. She has been engaged in cannabis and psychedelics-related research for over 20 years, and has published various research articles and book chapters. Rielle held a postdoctoral research fellowship at the B.C. Centre on Substance Use and is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Population and Public Health, in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. Rielle was on the board of directors for MAPS Canada for 3 years, and is currently the Executive Director .
November 20, 2025
MAPS Canada presents:
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy & Medical Assistance in Dying
Thurs, November 20th 7pm EST / 4pm PST
Join us for a live webinar exploring how psychedelic-assisted therapy can support people who are seeking medical assistance in death. Hear from a panel of individuals with experience and expertise in healthcare, law, research and live-experience about the potential benefits and challenges in providing psychedelic-assisted therapy for people considering MAiD.
Panelists: Dr. Ellen Wiebe Dr. Valorie Masuda Florence Moureau Dr. Houman Farzin Paul Lewin
Host: Kyle Sittek-Lumsden
Learning Objectives:
- Learn about the current state of laws, policies and regulations surrounding MAiD in Canada.Learn about the current state of laws, policies and regulations surrounding access to PAT for people experiencing end of life distress.
- Gain an understanding about the history and efficacy of PAT for palliative care and end of life distress.Discover the challenges and barriers that individuals face when applying for legal access to psychedelics while experiencing end of life distress.
- Explore how the requirements for MAiD provide a potential pathway for legal access to PAT
October 27, 2025
MAPS Canada presents:
Healing Trauma: New Frontiers for Veterans & First Responders
Mon, October 27th 7pm EST / 4pm PST
Veterans and first responders carry invisible wounds long after their service ends. This webinar explores how psychedelic-assisted therapy is emerging as a powerful tool in treating trauma, PTSD, and moral injury among those who have served on the frontlines. Drawing on current research from Heroic Hearts Canada and lived experience, participants will hear directly from researchers, clinicians, experienced veterans and first responders who have explored this path of healing. Together, we’ll examine how psychedelics have restored connection, supported emotional regulation, and provided meaning. Attendees will also gain insight into the neuroscience of trauma and integration practices that support long-term recovery. Whether you’re a clinician, veteran, first responder, anyone interested in innovative mental health approaches – this session offers an evidence-based and compassionate look at a new frontier in mental health care.
Learning Objectives:
- Gain a deeper understanding of the emotional and psychological challenges that first responders and veterans face during and after their service.
- Learn how psychedelic-assisted therapy and other alternative approaches are helping first responders and veterans heal from trauma and reconnect with purpose.
- Hear powerful personal stories of transformation and resilience from individuals who have walked the path from service to healing.
- Discover how we can collectively reduce stigma and create safer, more compassionate systems of care for those who dedicate their lives to helping others.
June 12, 2025
MAPS Canada presents:
Psychedelic Safety - Drugs and Hugs: Drug Checking at Electronic Music Festivals in British Columbia
Thurs, June 12th 7pm EST / 4pm PST
Join Antoine Marcheterre and Jarred Aasen as they share their experience and knowledge providing drug checking service at two of the largest music festivals in British Columbia. Drug checking data from these events provides a unique insight into the types of drugs that are used by many of the attendees. The presenters will introduce what the current services offer through a user perspective, breakdown last year’s results and discuss the potential public health impacts of drug checking services in isolated meso-environments. The information presented in this webinar is supported by drug checking data from 2024 Festival Infographic – Interior Health Drug Checking.
June 3, 2025
MAPS Canada presents:
Do Clinical Trials Provide Reasonable Access to Psychedelic Therapy?
Tues, June 3rd 7pm EST / 4pm PST
This webinar highlights perspectives of researchers, clinicians and patients across Canada on clinical trials as a pathway to access psychedelic therapy.
Since the introduction of psilocybin and MDMA to the Special Access Program (SAP) in 2022, there have been many questions of whether this access program is appropriate for psychedelic therapy.
Are clinical trials a better option? What challenges, barriers, opportunities and benefits arise from this pathway?
This webinar will also explore funding options and the development of a MAPS Canada working group for clinical research development.
Panelists:
Dr. Emma Hapke, MD, FRCPC, psychiatrist, psychotherapist and psychedelic researcher at the University Health Network in Toronto
Sonia Brodie, neuroscientist, Director of Growth & Partnerships at CaRe Clinics, and sits on the board of MAPS Canada as Director of Research
Pedram Dara, former MDMA-assisted therapy clinical trial participant and director of Psychedelic Lived Experiences
Melanie Dignam, MSW, RSW, integrative psychotherapist, clinical trial therapist
Host:
Erin Prosk, MSC, President and Co-founder Santé Cannabis
May 21, 2025
MAPS Canada presents:
An Introduction to Cannabis and Psychedelics in Canada
Wed, May 21st 7pm EST / 4pm PST
Join us on May 21st!
We are bringing together a panel of experts who have extensive and varied personal and professional experiences with and perspectives about cannabis and psychedelics in Canada.
This webinar features some of the instructors of the MAPS Canada School of Psychedelics newest courses “Cannabis and Psychedelics: From Conceptualization to Care in Canada”.
These courses consider the similarities and differences between cannabis and psychedelics, exploring whether cannabis is a psychedelic substance, why that matters, and to whom.
Bonus: Attendees will receive a code for 50% off the courses!
January 13, 2025
MAPS Canada presents:
Catching up with Rick Doblin: FDA's MDMA Decision and What's Next for 2025
Join us online for an exclusive event with Rick Doblin, the founder of MAPS, as we discuss the recent FDA decision on MDMA and what the future holds for 2025. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear firsthand insights from Rick Doblin himself and learn more about the exciting developments in the world of psychedelic research and therapy. Access recording here.
Explore the Balancing Safety & Access Webinar Series, focusing on healing trauma with psychedelics, end-of-life care, Canadian psychedelics law and Indigenous healing, training for care providers, and cost coverage for psychedelic-assisted care.
Access all three webinars covering key topics: improving access to psychedelic medicines, harm reduction strategies for users, and undoing the harms of drug criminalization. Gain insights from experts on policy, safety, and advocacy.
Check out all webinars at MAPS Canada’s School of Psychedelics.