Nicolas Galton, PhD, RP

Registered psychotherapist in the Ottawa region, holding an MA and PhD in Counselling and Spirituality from Saint-Paul University. My research centers around the mystical and existential dimensions of psychedelic experiences outside of palliative contexts. I also teach as an assistant professor at Saint-Paul University and as a part-time professor at the University of Ottawa in the fields of psychotherapy, psychedelic drugs, and spirituality. When I am not seeing clients, teaching, or reading papers, I can be found hanging out in the woods, playing guitar and bass, or hunting down oddities for one of my ever-growing collections.

What I Do

Psychotherapy

I use an individualized blend of CBT, ACT, existentialism and humanism to help people from all walks of life manage their symptoms of depression and anxiety, grief, clarify and follow their values, navigate life transitions, and journey towards a more authentic and meaningful life. I also work with cannabis use cessation, and offer psychedelic and non-ordinary states of consciousness integration services.

Teaching

I teach several undergraduate and graduate classes at Saint Paul University and the University of Ottawa. My avenues of teaching are strongly related to my research interests, and include psychotherapy practicum, the psychological and cultural study of religions, psychedelic substances, and research methods in the social sciences.

Quantitative and Qualitative Research

I’m fascinated by the idea of building bridges between science and spirituality. My current research interests include, but are not limited to: the subjective effects of psychedelic substances, the effects of set and setting on psychedelic experiences, and the relationships between psychedelics, spirituality and existential concerns.

Public Speaking

I offer bilingual (English & French) clinical and psychoeducation workshops on the topics of psychedelic preparation and integration, psychotherapy and spirituality.