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Research and answersResources
What we are learning, and the answers to the questions we are asked most. If yours is not here, call us and ask it.
Contributing to the evidence base.
Breakthrough Therapies is more than a clinical practice. Our clinical programme was designed from the ground up, by the whole team, to generate real evidence and not simply to deliver treatment.
A research-active practice
Our team has completed a proof-of-concept study, currently under peer review, examining outcomes for patients with several different diagnoses. We will publish what it found here once it has been through review, and not before.
The practice builds on the research background of our founder, Dr. Dawn DeCunha.
What makes our approach different
Most clinical trials measure outcomes at the end of a treatment course and stop there. Our model is built around community-based, longitudinal follow-up instead.
We invite patients to complete outcome measures not just before and after treatment, but again at 3, 6 and 12 months afterwards. That lets us see something a trial usually cannot: not only whether patients improve, but whether the improvement holds up over time, in real people living real lives outside a research setting.
Why this matters to you
Every patient who comes through our doors contributes, if they choose to, to a growing body of real-world evidence about this treatment. And every patient benefits from a team that treats outcome measurement as a core part of care rather than an afterthought.
We do not treat adolescents
Breakthrough Therapies treats adults only. We are not willing to offer this treatment to an age group where the evidence does not yet support it, on the basis of hope alone. If the evidence changes, our position will change with it.
This page stays deliberately light until our submitted study is peer reviewed and published. Check back, and we will share our results here as they become available.
The questions we are actually asked.
Eight sections, in the order most people need them. Fees and payment are set out in full, with nothing hidden until a consultation.
General Is this right for me The process Fees and payment Practical matters Safety Research and credentials Getting started
General
What is medicine-assisted psychotherapy?
Medicine-assisted psychotherapy combines a fully supervised treatment experience with structured psychotherapy before, during and after the session.
The medicine is not the treatment in itself. When it is combined with skilled therapeutic support, it can help you rapidly process trauma, shift entrenched patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving, and create lasting change.
What conditions do you treat?
We work primarily with adults experiencing treatment-resistant depression, anxiety, PTSD and complex trauma, particularly those who have already tried conventional treatment, whether medication, standard psychotherapy or both, without the relief they were hoping for.
Is this the same as recreational drug use?
No. Every session takes place in a medically supervised, clinical setting, with trained therapists present throughout. Dosing, screening and follow-up are all clinically managed. This is a regulated treatment, not a recreational experience.
Is this right for me
Am I a candidate for this treatment?
Candidacy depends on your full clinical and medical history, which is why we begin with a thorough consultation and assessment rather than accepting patients on the strength of a phone call.
Generally, patients who have tried standard treatment without sufficient relief are good candidates. Certain medical and psychiatric conditions may mean this is not the right fit, or not the right fit yet.
How do I find out if I qualify, before committing to anything?
We offer a free safety screening as your first step. It is a broad, no-cost assessment to identify whether medicine-assisted psychotherapy is likely to be appropriate for you, before any consultation fees or deeper evaluation.
Are there reasons someone would not be a candidate?
Certain conditions may mean this treatment is not appropriate. This is not an exhaustive list:
- A personal or family history of psychosis or other serious mental illness
- Certain cardiovascular conditions, including uncontrolled hypertension
- Pregnancy or nursing
- Certain medication interactions
A free safety screening can determine whether any of these, or other complex medical factors specific to your history, apply to you. If we are uncertain, we offer an optional Discovery Session, 30 to 60 minutes at $350, to determine your individual eligibility.
The process
Set out in full on How treatment works.
What does treatment actually involve, session to session?
Treatment begins with a free safety screening. Once that is complete, we book a free courtesy consultation, followed by a full medical and psychological assessment. If you are a candidate, we move into preparation sessions to build trust, understand your history and set clear intentions for change.
Then come the treatment sessions themselves, in a private, supervised setting, each with integration work immediately afterwards to help translate what came up into lasting change. Your final AfterCare session pulls everything together and establishes a sustainable plan for ongoing progress.
How long does a treatment session last?
Each treatment session is 180 minutes, three hours, held in person.
How many sessions will I need?
After onboarding, meaning your medical and psychological assessment, we schedule a session to get to know one another better, give you feedback and understand your goals. Then there are two preparation sessions, one focused on building skills and one on clarifying the outcomes you want for yourself.
From there, six journey sessions is typical, though it is not a fixed number: the range we see is two to ten, and journeys continue until your therapist judges the course complete. A final AfterCare session follows.
Will someone be with me during the session?
Yes. Your familiar, dedicated therapist stays with you throughout every treatment session. You are never left alone during a session in our care.
What happens after the session ends?
Maintaining your new awareness and your ongoing personal growth is one of the most important parts of our work. As part of our self-care programme you keep access to your journal, so you can maintain your progress in a confident, self-directed way.
We follow up with you at 3, 6 and 12 months to see how you are doing. If you do not need further support, we close our file. If you do, we are happy to schedule a maintenance session. Life continues to happen, and we are here if it does.
What treatment costs
Set out in full here, rather than held back until you are sitting in a consultation. Sessions are paid as they are scheduled, not in advance. A typical full programme comes to approximately $8,210.
Journey sessions are billed individually. Six is typical, not a fixed number. If your therapist judges that more are needed, that is one further session at the same rate, not a change to your schedule.
We are working on further routes to treatment for people for whom this cost is a genuine barrier, and we will publish them here once they exist.
Fees, payment and cancellation
What does treatment cost?
The medical assessment is $450, and a detailed report is provided to you before you start your journey sessions. The psychological assessment is $450, and a detailed report is provided at the end of your treatment journey.
Your safety screening and courtesy consultation are free. Preparation sessions are $495 each, and two is typical. Journey sessions are $995 each, and six is typical, though it is not a fixed number. Your Aftercare Session at the end is $350. A typical full programme comes to approximately $8,210. Your written psychological outcome report and progress monitoring at 3, 6 and 12 months are included.
We understand this is a significant investment and we do not take that lightly. Many of our patients have spent years, and often tens of thousands of dollars, on medications and therapy without the relief they were looking for. We would encourage you to think of this not only as a fee, but as a direct investment in getting your life back: returning to work, reconnecting with family, and simply wanting to live again.
Is this covered by OHIP or private insurance?
Medicine-assisted psychotherapy is not currently covered by OHIP. Coverage under private extended health plans varies significantly and depends on your specific plan. Assessments, reports and services delivered by a nurse practitioner are sometimes eligible for reimbursement, though that is not the case for every plan.
Rather than leave you to work this out alone, our team takes the time to look closely at your coverage and help you make the most of whatever is available to you.
All patients receive a tax receipt for services rendered, which may be eligible for deduction. We would recommend confirming with your accountant or tax professional what applies to your specific situation.
What insurance companies do you work with?
In Ontario we work with the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board and we are a mental health community-based practice. We work with Veterans Affairs Canada and with the major insurers.
What if I do not have any insurance?
Insurance is not the only path to treatment. Our fees are the same whether or not you have coverage, and how you pay it is something we would rather talk through with you than leave you to work out on your own. Raise it with us when you start your free safety screening and we will take it from there.
How does payment work?
Sessions are paid as they are scheduled, not in advance. Each session is billed individually, so a patient who needs an extra journey session is never outside the schedule they were given. If cost is a concern, tell us when you start your free safety screening. We would rather have that conversation early than have you rule yourself out quietly.
A card on file is required for all patients entering our protocol. This is not a deposit and it is not a charge in advance. It is held securely through our Stripe-integrated patient portal, as authorisation to charge only in the case of a missed cancellation window, as set out below.
This applies consistently to every patient, given the amount of dedicated therapist time each session requires.
What is your cancellation policy?
For our three-hour journey sessions we require 48 hours’ notice. For regular one-hour sessions we ask for 24 hours’ notice. Any unused funds are always returned to you.
If a session is missed or cancelled without the required notice, the card held on file will be charged for that session. We understand that life happens, and our team is always glad to talk through individual circumstances. But because each journey session represents a significant, dedicated block of your therapist’s time that generally cannot be filled at short notice, we hold this policy firmly across the board.
What happens after treatment ends, is there follow-up?
Yes. Standard progress monitoring is at 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment, 30 minutes each, and is included in your fees. A 9 month check-in is optional and not guaranteed. The courtesy check-in with your therapist depends on you returning your reassessment forms, so please complete them when they arrive.
There is no additional cost for this. We appreciate your support for our community-based research, because it is how we help the people who come after you.
Practical matters
Where are sessions held?
Our programme is hybrid. Journey sessions take place in person at our locations, in private, supervised treatment spaces designed for comfort and safety. Preparation sessions are conducted online.
For eligible patients a home-based option, our Safe at Home Protocol, may also be available for journey sessions. Ask us during your consultation. See all locations
What if I live far away?
Distance is not necessarily a barrier. In some cases, depending on location, a hybrid session is possible, with a trained person present for your safety and your therapist online. Ask us whether your location qualifies for at-home support.
We serve patients across Ontario. We are not yet available outside Ontario, but we are actively working on ways to bring this to people wherever they are, whether that means a visit to see us or a referral to a trusted clinic closer to home. Ask us for more.
I am travelling from out of town. Do you offer accommodation?
Yes, we are able to accommodate overnight guests. Please let us know if you would like more information during your onboarding process, so that we have time to make arrangements for you.
Do I need a referral from my doctor or psychiatrist?
No. A referral from your family doctor is not required.
Safety
Is this treatment safe?
All treatment takes place under medical supervision, with careful screening beforehand and trained therapists present throughout every session. As with any medical treatment there are risks, and these are reviewed thoroughly with you as part of informed consent before treatment begins.
What about physical touch during sessions?
Your body, your boundaries. Not everyone is reassured by touch and we do not assume it is right for you. We follow a specific, formal consent protocol around physical touch. It is discussed and individually consented to as part of your preparation, with the option to decline it entirely.
What happens if I have a difficult emotional experience during a session?
Difficult emotional material surfacing during a session is common, and expected, in this work. It is part of why trained therapists stay with you throughout.
Your preparation sessions include building the skills to regulate both your body and your mind, so that you are equipped to stay grounded and work with what comes up rather than be overwhelmed by it. Your therapists are trained to support you through difficult moments in real time, not simply to observe. We are with you at all times.
What are the side effects?
Common short-term effects during a session can include dissociation, nausea, dizziness, changes in blood pressure or heart rate, and drowsiness or disorientation. These effects are generally transient and resolve after the session.
Our medical provider reviews your specific risk factors and expected effects with you in detail as part of your medical assessment, before treatment begins.
Research and credentials
Is this treatment evidence-based?
Medicine-assisted psychotherapy is supported by a growing body of clinical research, and our clinical team is actively contributing to that evidence base, with a proof-of-concept study currently under peer review. Check back and we will share our results here as they become available. Read more about our research
Who will be treating me?
You will be cared for by our multidisciplinary clinical team, which includes clinical psychologists, registered psychotherapists, a nurse practitioner and a physician. Meet the team
Will I need to stay on my current medications?
Most patients are able to stay on their current medications throughout treatment. In some cases a medical condition may require that certain medications continue unchanged. Where that applies, our medical team may be able to coordinate directly with your other specialists to make sure this treatment is appropriate as part of your wider plan.
Getting started
How do I get started?
Call us on (905) 946-8007 and we will book your free safety screening. From there we will help you schedule a consultation with a member of our clinical team, at no cost to you. Someone will follow up with you within 1 business day.
If you would rather write to us first, use the form on our contact page.
What should I prepare before my first consultation?
Nothing in advance. We will send you some forms to complete so that we can prepare for our meeting together, as part of our onboarding process.
Can I learn more before I book anything?
Yes. The free safety screening is the best place to start: it is free, it carries no obligation, and you can call us to ask whatever you need to ask before deciding anything. Everything set out on this page and on How treatment works is there to read first if you would prefer to start on your own.
This website and our intake process are not equipped for emergency situations.
Still have a question we have not answered?
Ask it. A member of our team will come back to you within 1 business day, and there is no cost to the conversation.