Maybe you've just finished a round of ketamine treatment. Maybe you had a psychedelic experience a while ago and you're still turning it over in your head. Either way, you might be sitting with something big — a new insight, a wave of old emotions, or a feeling you can't quite put into words.

Here's the thing: the experience itself is only part of the story. What you do with it afterward matters just as much. That's where integration therapy comes in.

At Gibson & Associates, we offer integration psychotherapy in Toronto, London, and online across Ontario to help you make sense of what came up — and carry it into your everyday life.

What Is Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy?

Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy pairs a low (sub-anaesthetic) dose of ketamine with talk therapy. Ketamine is a prescription medication in Canada, and it's being used more and more to support people living with depression — especially when other treatments haven't helped.

During a ketamine session, a medical team gives the medication and monitors you the whole time. Depending on the clinic, that might be through an IV, an injection, or a lozenge. Many people close their eyes and listen to music. The altered state ketamine creates can loosen rigid thought patterns, which can make it easier to explore painful memories or stuck beliefs with your therapist.

One important note: Gibson & Associates doesn't administer ketamine or any other substance. What we offer is the therapy that supports you before and after — the integration work.

What About Other Psychedelics?

In Canada, substances like psilocybin and MDMA are still tightly restricted. Right now, they can only be legally accessed through a Health Canada Section 56 exemption, the Special Access Program, or by taking part in a clinical trial.

We know that many people have psychedelic experiences outside of those settings, too. You don't need to have had your experience in a clinic to get support processing it. Our therapists offer a non-judgmental space to talk through whatever happened — no matter where or how it happened.

Ketamine and Depression: What We Know So Far

Research on ketamine for depression is genuinely promising. Clinical studies continue to support its fast-acting antidepressant effects, particularly for treatment-resistant depression and especially when it's paired with psychotherapy. That said, it's still an emerging area, and more research is needed.

A few things are helpful to know going in:

• It usually takes more than one session. Most treatment plans involve a series of sessions, not a single appointment.
• The effects can fade. The mood lift from ketamine often lasts days to a few weeks, which is why ongoing therapy matters so much.
• Side effects are usually short-lived. People may feel disconnected from their surroundings, notice changes in vision or perception, or have a temporary rise in heart rate or blood pressure. These typically ease soon after the session.

Your prescribing clinic is the best place to ask about whether ketamine is right for you, and how it might interact with any medications you're taking.

Why Integration Matters

Psychedelic and ketamine experiences can bring up a lot — clarity about a relationship, grief you didn't know was there, a sudden sense of what you want your life to look like. It can feel huge in the moment.

But without space to reflect on those insights, they can fade just as quickly as they arrived. And sometimes, an experience leaves you feeling unsettled or confused instead of clear. That's completely okay, too. Both deserve care.

Integration therapy gives you a place to slow down, unpack what happened, and figure out what (if anything) you want to do with it.

What Integration Therapy Looks Like at Gibson & Associates

Integration sessions are available individually or in a group setting. Your therapist will gently guide you through reflecting on your experience. Together, you might explore:

• Realizations, images, or memories that came up during your session
• Emotions that surfaced — during the experience or in the days and weeks after
• How those insights connect to your relationships, your work, and your goals
• Small, realistic changes you'd like to bring into your daily routine

We're big believers in sustainable change over dramatic overhauls. A tiny shift you can actually keep up with is worth more than a total life reset that burns out in a week.

Regular check-ins also give you room to work through anything that lingers or resurfaces over time. Integration isn't a one-and-done — it's a process, and you get to move through it at your own pace.

Many of our therapists draw on approaches like Internal Family Systems (IFS) and somatic therapy, which can pair really naturally with integration work.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be doing ketamine treatment to book integration therapy?

Nope. Integration therapy can support you whether you're currently in ketamine-assisted treatment, took part in a clinical trial, or had a psychedelic experience in another setting — recently or years ago.

Does Gibson & Associates provide ketamine?

No. We don't prescribe or administer ketamine or any psychedelic substance. We provide psychotherapy to help you prepare for and process those experiences. If you're looking for ketamine treatment, your doctor can help you explore options.

Can I do integration therapy online?

Yes. We offer virtual sessions anywhere in Ontario, in addition to in-person sessions in Toronto and London.

How many integration sessions will I need?

There's no one-size-fits-all answer. Some people come in for a few sessions after an experience. Others prefer ongoing support over several months. You and your therapist can figure out what feels right.

What if my experience was difficult or scary?

That happens more often than people talk about, and you're not alone in it. Integration therapy is a safe place to process challenging experiences, not just the positive ones.

Book With an Integration Therapist in Ontario

If you're ready to make sense of your experience — or just want to talk it through with someone who gets it — we're here for that. Meet our therapists in Toronto and London, or book a virtual session from anywhere in Ontario.

Book online or reach out to our team with any questions. Seriously, ask us anything.

If you're in crisis or need immediate support, call or text 988, or call 911.

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