Course Provider
In response to the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic, a research group at Vancouver Island University (VIU) has been awarded funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research for the exploration of psychedelic therapies for front-line workers. Led by Dr Shannon Dames, the team are currently focusing on ketamine-assisted therapy for front-line workers experiencing symptoms of PTSD and emotional distress as a result of their experiences working through the pandemic.
Vancouver Island University looks like a serious academic provider rather than a commercial retreat brand: the psychedelic-assisted therapy offer sits inside a public university, with theory plus supervised practice and an explicit emphasis on trauma-informed, inclusive, and culturally responsive care. It appears strongest for regulated health and human services professionals who want structured, university-backed upskilling and some professional legitimacy in a still-evolving field. Its lineage is notable for local BC expertise and collaboration with the University of Ottawa, UBC, and Indigenous knowledge holders, but it is also worth noting the graduate certificate was cancelled in November 2025, with continuing access only for current students until 31 August 2026.
Best suited to health, human services, and related practitioners, including therapists, nurses, physicians, spiritual care providers, traditional healers, and other clinician allies seeking formal training in psychedelic-assisted therapy. It seems aimed more at working professionals than at the general public.
An undergraduate degree, or equivalent, in health, human services, or a related field. Applicants need a CV or resume, cover letter, professional references, and an interview, with two years of related experience prioritised; preference is also given to candidates with a clinician and/or therapy licence. Applicants without a bachelor’s degree may be considered if they have at least five years of recent, relevant training and therapy/clinical experience at a credible institute or centre.
VIU describes the programme as an accredited graduate-level Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Certificate, and says it is a 15-credit graduate certificate within the Faculty of Health and Human Services. VIU also stated in its launch announcement that it was the first programme of its kind to include both theory and supervised practice from an accredited university in Canada. The university notes the regulatory environment is still unclear, and frames the programme as building education that may meet future regulatory requirements rather than guaranteeing licensure to practise psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Domestic total fees are listed at $10,313.71, and international total fees at $13,668.16, including tuition, lab fee, student activity fee, student services fee, VIU Students’ Union fee, and health and dental plan fee. VIU’s tuition fee schedule lists the programme rate as $557.46 per credit, and the programme page notes a non-refundable application fee plus a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee, with some extra course-related expenses possible.
Learners complete a 15-credit graduate certificate and, according to VIU, gain practical training, supervised practice, and competencies for frontline psychedelic-assisted care. The curriculum includes introduction to psychedelic medicine, trauma-informed and inclusive care, professional practice, and a practicum, with a community of practice and ongoing peer feedback orientation. The stated pathway is professional development for working in the field, not a guaranteed licence to provide legal psychedelic therapy.
Linked Courses
1
Active Listings
0
Primary Formats
Hybrid
Programs linked directly to this provider in the Blossom course dataset.
Reference points selected from shared training modalities, learner audience, level, delivery format, pricing, and location.