Exploring Psychedelic Assisted Therapy: Current Landscape in British Columbia

Valorie Lynn Masuda, MD, FCFP(EM)(PC)
Laura McLean, MD, FRCPC, Consultant in Sleep Disorders
Andrea Lemp, RN, MSN
Dr. Masuda is a palliative care physician working in the Cowichan Valley on Vancouver Island. She is an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of British Columbia and working on a clinical trial demonstrating the feasibility of delivering psilocybin therapy in a group set, setting and integration model. She is certified in psychedelic medicine through the California Institute of Integral Studies and has also received training through Therapsil and Roots to Thrive. She has been working in the psychedelic space since 2020 using psilocybin-assisted therapy for palliative patients, navigating the Section 56 Exemption and later, the Special Access Program with a Community of Practice Psilocybin Assisted Therapy program, to support patients with distress secondary to their serious cancer diagnosis. They have treated 31 patients in group and 4 patients individually with psilocybin. They are currently developing a clinical trial to continue providing this service.
She previously worked in the Yukon Territories for 10 years and then moved to Vancouver Island in 1998 to work as an emergency physician. She trained in palliative care in 2014.
She owns and works on 10 acre farm to support sustainable food production. She plays the piano for herself and plays viola in two community orchestras. She is married with three grown children.
Laura is originally from Saskatchewan, but she has lived in Duncan, on Vancouver Island, since 1999. She practiced internal medicine, respirology and critical care for 13 years before shifting gears into sleep medicine and she now works as a consultant physician in sleep disorders at the Aroga Lifestyle Medicine clinic. She is a Diplomate of the American Board of Lifestyle Medicine. Her most recent pursuits have included training and working in the field of psychedelic assisted therapy, and co-facilitating with her colleague, Andrea Lemp, RN, MSN, a well-received program of virtual Group Mindfulness Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia.
Andrea Lemp has dedicated over 30 years to leading health and wellness programs, working in Vancouver and Island Health as a Mental Health and Substance Use Director. In addition, she is a Chopra Certified Meditation Teacher, has completed training at the Institute of Functional Medicine, and is now completing certification Psychedelic Assisted Therapy, at the Institute of Integrative Psychiatry. She currently co-facilitates with her colleague, Dr. Laura McLean in a virtual Group Mindfulness Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia.