Yes. Ketamine is a licensed medication in Canada and may be prescribed by a physician for off-label therapeutic use. At Kindred, all ketamine sessions are medically supervised and conducted in compliance with Health Canada regulations. No controlled substances are sold or administered outside of this regulated clinical framework.

The experience varies from person to person. Ketamine often produces a dissociative, dreamlike state—a temporary shift in perception that many describe as a loosening of habitual thought patterns, a sense of distance from emotional pain, increased capacity for openness and vulnerability, or moments of unexpected clarity and calm. The experience typically lasts 45 to 90 minutes. You will be supported and monitored by our clinical team throughout.

Ketamine is administered orally. Oral ketamine (taken as a lozenge or tablet) is absorbed more slowly and typically produces a gentler, longer-lasting experience. The specific format used in Kindred sessions will be discussed with you during intake. This is a clinically effective route of administration and is particularly well suited to group work in a community setting.

Group therapy has a robust evidence base independent of ketamine. When combined with ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, the group container offers something individual treatment cannot: it makes healing visible and witnessed. Being seen in moments of vulnerability—and witnessing others in theirs—can build trust, reduce shame, and deepen integration. The cohort can also become a source of accountability and support that extends well beyond the program itself.

Difficult experiences can be a meaningful part of the therapeutic process. Our team is trained to support you through any challenging material that may arise. You will never be alone during a session. Our clinical framework, extensive preparation, and on-site physician support are all in place to ensure your physical and psychological safety.

Many extended health insurance plans cover the psychotherapy components of this program, including preparation and integration sessions, and may also cover a portion of the ketamine treatment sessions. We recommend contacting your insurance provider directly to confirm your coverage. We are happy to provide receipts and supporting documentation for reimbursement submissions.

All participants sign a confidentiality agreement prior to joining the group. What is shared in the room stays in the room. Our facilitators are bound by professional ethical codes. We take privacy seriously and will review our confidentiality framework with you in detail during the intake process.

If our intake assessment determines that this program is not the right fit for you at this time, we will provide guidance toward appropriate alternative care. This may include psychotherapy, medical or pharmacological support, or individual ketamine-assisted psychotherapy.

The safety of every participant and the integrity of the group are our highest priorities. A referral conversation can be an important step toward finding the right support.