Preparation for Psychedelic‑Assisted Therapy
Education, intention‑setting, and risk‑reduction support for people exploring psychedelic treatments.
Important: Flowstate Therapy provides preparation and integration psychotherapy.
If you’re receiving (or considering) psychedelic‑assisted treatment through a licensed prescriber, clinical trial, or authorized program, we can help you prepare well and integrate the experience safely and meaningfully.
Why Preparation Matters (and how it fits with Integration)
Preparation and integration are the two bookends of any psychedelic‑assisted process:
Preparation helps you clarify intentions, build trust and safety with your therapist, plan for set & setting, and identify support systems and risk‑reduction strategies.
Integration translates the experience into lasting change—making sense of insights, reshaping habits, and tending to emotions, relationships, and nervous‑system health.
Most people benefit from 1–3 preparation sessions before any medicine day and 1–3 integration sessions afterward. (Many choose additional support to deepen growth.) If you’re ready to learn about integration next, visit our Integration page (link in navigation) after you finish here.
Who This Page Is For?
People preparing for ketamine‑assisted psychotherapy (KAP) with a qualified prescriber
Individuals entering or returning to psilocybin, MDMA‑assisted, or other psychedelic‑adjacent programs (e.g., approved research, Special Access Program, or care in another jurisdiction)
Loved ones and supporters (“trip sitters”) wanting to help someone prepare safely
Clinicians and community partners seeking an ethical, trauma‑informed framework for preparation and integration
What We Do in Preparation Sessions
Our psychotherapists provide a structured, trauma‑informed process:
History, Goals & Fit
Brief psycho‑social history, current supports, past therapy, and what you hope to change. We’ll clarify what psychedelic‑assisted therapy can and cannot do and align on realistic goals.Intention‑Setting
Move from a broad aim (e.g., “reduce anxiety”) to a focused therapeutic intention (e.g., “meet the anxiety with curiosity and warmth”). We’ll shape 1–3 clear intentions and a few gentle prompts you can revisit during your session.Trust, Safety & Boundaries
Establish signals, pacing, consent practices, and how you want to be supported. We review embodiment tools, co‑regulation options, and what “enough” support looks like for you.Set & Setting Planning
We’ll help you design mindset (set) and environment (setting): space setup, music, lighting, blankets, temperature, breaks, hydration, nourishment, and restroom cues.Risk‑Reduction & Logistics
Review medication interactions/contraindications with your prescriber, transportation planning, who’s on standby, technology boundaries, and your post‑session care plan (meals, rest, journaling, no major commitments if possible).Personalized Preparation Plan
You’ll leave with a written plan: intentions, coping tools, resources, and an integration sketch for the days and weeks ahead.
Set, Setting, and Sitter: The Core Trio
Set
(Mindset)
Arrive rested, nourished, and emotionally supported. Acknowledge fears and hopes; name what you’re willing to meet. Rehearse grounding tools (breath, orienting, paced self‑talk).
Setting (Environment)
A calm, low‑clutter space with comfortable temperature, adjustable light/sound, tissues, water, and easy access to the washroom. Prepare a comfort kit (eye mask, blanket, soft sweater, lip balm, ginger tea, journal, pen).
If your program encourages or requires a support person, choose someone calm and non‑directive who respects your therapeutic plan and boundaries. Agree on roles, phrases, and when to call your clinician if needed.
Sitter/Support Person:
Brief, Educational Overview of Common Substances
Educational context only. Access, medical screening, and dosing are determined by your prescriber or authorized program. Timeframes vary by individual and route of administration.
Ketamine (prescription dissociative)
Primary action: NMDA receptor antagonism with downstream glutamatergic and neuroplasticity effects.
Onset & duration (typical): Minutes to onset; many sessions unfold over 45–90 minutes depending on route. A reflective, quieter period often follows.
Common themes: Altered body perception, relief from ruminative loops, expanded perspective, compassion toward self; sometimes nausea or dizziness.
Preparation notes: Clarify intentions; create a minimal‑input environment (eye mask optional); line up transportation; follow prescriber guidance on food/medication.
Psilocybin (classic psychedelic)
Primary action: 5‑HT2A receptor agonism; transient increases in neural flexibility and altered default mode network activity.
Onset & duration: 20–60 min to onset; 4–6 hours total (varies by dose/form).
Common themes: Emotional access, imagery, meaning‑making, awe; possible waves of anxiety or nausea.
Preparation notes: Emphasize trust, acceptance, and non‑striving. Plan a quiet recovery window the same day and next morning.
MDMA (empathogen/entactogen)
Primary action: Increases monoamine release and oxytocin; supports fear extinction and memory reconsolidation processes when paired with therapy.
Onset & duration: 30–60 min to onset; 4–6 hours total with an afterglow period.
Common themes: Warmth, openness, connectedness, emotional processing; may include jaw tension, temperature sensitivity.
Preparation notes: Hydration guidance and temperature awareness per program; align on relational boundaries and communication preferences.
LSD (classic psychedelic)
Onset & duration: 45–90 min to onset; 8–12 hours total. Requires full‑day planning and extended integration space.
Preparation notes: Extra attention to pacing, nourishment, and support person availability.
DMT / Ayahuasca
Smoked/vaporized DMT: Rapid onset; 5–20 minutes of intense effects.
Ayahuasca (brew): 30–60 min to onset; 4–6+ hours with potential purgative effects.
Preparation notes: Strong emphasis on facilitator qualifications, medical screening, and next‑day recovery time.
Mescaline (peyote/san pedro)
Onset & duration: 60–120 min to onset; 8–12+ hours.
Preparation notes: Plan for a long day and gentle next‑day schedule.
Legal access in Canada: Some substances may only be available through authorized medical programs, clinical trials, or other regulated pathways. We provide psychotherapy for preparation and integration.
Consideration for: Preparation for Ketamine Therapy
Whether you are receiving Ketamine IV, Ketamine Intramuscular, or Ketamine Intranasal, thorough preparation can make a profound difference in your Ketamine Therapy experience and outcome. Ketamine is unique among psychedelic-adjacent medicines—it is a dissociative anesthetic that works primarily by blocking NMDA receptors in the brain, leading to changes in glutamate signaling and promoting neuroplasticity. This means Ketamine Treatment can temporarily “loosen” rigid patterns of thought, open new neural pathways, and help you see problems from a fresh perspective. During a Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy session, people often describe sensations such as floating, time distortion, visual imagery, or a sense of observing their thoughts from a distance. Emotional content may arise in unexpected ways—sometimes gently, sometimes more vividly. As the effects of Ketamine Therapy wear off (typically within 45–90 minutes depending on the route), there is often a window of clarity, calm, or openness that can be used for therapeutic processing. Preparing for Ketamine Therapy in Ottawa or via our virtual sessions across Ontario means clarifying your intentions in advance, setting up a safe and calming physical environment, arranging transportation home (you must not drive for the rest of the day), and planning gentle self-care afterward. We can help you anticipate what the Ketamine experience might feel like, establish grounding tools you can use during your treatment, and map out your post-session integration so that insights gained while on ketamine have the best chance of becoming meaningful, lasting change.
Safety, Contraindications & Scope
Medical screening and dosing are the responsibility of your prescriber or program. Share your full medical/medication history with them.
Some substances may interact with SSRIs/SNRIs, MAOIs, benzodiazepines, stimulants, antipsychotics, and other medications. Do not alter medications without medical advice.
Discuss cardiovascular history, seizure history, pregnancy, and any past manic or psychotic episodes with your prescriber.
If you’re in acute crisis (e.g., unsafe to yourself or others), please access emergency care or crisis lines first.
Our role is psychotherapy: preparation, integration, emotional processing, and skills—not medical directives.
Special Considerations by Population
Veterans & First Responders: Address moral injury, hypervigilance, trauma triggers.
LGBTQ+ Clients: Affirming space; address minority stress.
Chronic Pain Clients: Prep for body awareness shifts.
Rural Ontario Clients: Virtual prep strategies, local aftercare referrals.
Your Preparation Checklist
1–2 Weeks Before
Clarify top 1–3 intentions and a compassionate mantra (e.g., “This is uncomfortable and I can breathe through it”).
Tidy your environment; gather comfort items (eye mask, blanket, soft lighting).
Align your support team: prescriber/program, therapist, sitter/driver.
Journal prompts: What am I hoping to meet? What feels unfinished? How will I care for myself after?
3–4 Days Before
Follow prescriber’s guidance on sleep, food, caffeine, alcohol, and medications.
Reduce stressors where possible; avoid major new commitments.
Rehearse grounding techniques (orienting, paced breathing, butterfly taps).
Day Before
Prepare simple meals and fluids for the next 24–48 hours.
Confirm transportation and phone off/do‑not‑disturb settings.
Revisit your intentions and boundaries.
Day Of (if you’re attending a medicine session elsewhere)
Wear comfortable layers; bring water, tissues, lip balm, and a small snack (if permitted).
Arrive early; review your plan with your care team. Agree on simple check‑ins.
Afterward: prioritize rest, hydration, gentle movement, and a quiet evening.
First 72 Hours After
Keep your calendar light; capture images, phrases, or emotions from the experience.
Schedule your first integration session within 24–72 hours if possible.
What Preparation with Flowstate Looks Like
Session Length: Usually 50–60 minutes (virtual or in‑person).
What we cover:
Intention‑setting and values mapping
Safety planning and boundaries
Set & setting design (including music and sensory preferences)
Grounding and self‑regulation skills
Relationship themes, attachment dynamics, parts work/inner‑dialogue options
Practical logistics and an integration sketch (sleep, food, movement, journaling)
Hear From Our Clients
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“It’s rare to find a team this professional while still feeling so genuinely human. You can tell they’re not just following protocols; they’re deeply invested in the work they do and the people they support. The care feels personalized rather than one-size-fits-all. ”
D.R.
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“Nothing but positive things to say about FlowState Therapy. Ben and his team are incredible and are so knowledgeable. I am very happy with the services they have provided for me.”
D.M
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“My overall experience in the serene Flowstate office was fantastic. I had really positive interactions with all the staff, particularly Jaimie for providing such a safe, welcoming, and comfortable environment. And Yamina, whose presence and support on my intense and beautiful KAP journey has been life-changing to say the least!”
A.D.
Schedule a free initial call
We offer free 15-minute consultations to help you learn more about our treatments here.
Just give us call
613 - 670 - 6629
or send us an email
hello@
flowstatetherapy.ca
Frequently Asked Questions – Psychedelic Preparation
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Yes. We offer preparation for a range of psychedelic-assisted therapies, including Ketamine Therapy, psilocybin-assisted therapy, MDMA-assisted therapy, and other authorized or research-based approaches. The principles of preparation—intention-setting, set and setting, safety planning—apply across medicines.
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We offer in-person sessions in Ottawa and secure virtual sessions across Ontario. If you live outside Ontario, we can help you find reputable preparation and integration providers in your area.
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Most clients benefit from 1–3 sessions before their medicine day. If you have limited time, we can condense the process into one extended session.
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Preparation sessions are psychotherapy and may be eligible under your mental health benefits. Check with your provider for coverage details.
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Yes—if it’s helpful, we can involve your support person in the planning process. We’ll set clear boundaries so the focus stays on your needs.
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It’s common to feel anxious before a psychedelic session. In preparation, we’ll practice grounding techniques and create a clear safety plan so you feel supported and ready.
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Yes—integration therapy is the next step after preparation. We recommend scheduling your first integration session within 24–72 hours after your medicine day.
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Definitely. Neurofeedback works beautifully alongside psychotherapy, mindfulness practices, and medical care. It’s a great tool to regulate your nervous system, which can make talk therapy more effective and help you feel more grounded between sessions.