Psychotherapist

Researcher

Assistant Professor

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.

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What I Do

Psychotherapy

I use an individualized blend of CBT, ACT, existentialism and Jungian therapy 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.

Consulting (Coming Soon)

I help professionals design research protocols and analyze quantitative and qualitative data, with a focus on topics related to spirituality, altered states of consciousness, and existentialism.

Classes Taught

Saint Paul University

IPA 6535 - Practicum Interne Individuel I (1 de 2)

IPA 6536 - Practicum Interne Individuel I (2 de 2)

IPA 6539 - Practicum Interne Individuel III (2 de 2)

IPA 3525 – Drogues et Comportement

IPA 3125 – Drugs and Behavior

IPA 2124 - Western Esotericism: From Antiquity to Today

IPA 2523 – Méthodes de Recherche Quantitatives

IPA 2524 – Thèmes Particuliers en Relations Humaines et Spiritualité : Renaissance Psychédélique & Thérapies

IPA 5165 - Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapies for Practitioners and Clinicians

Virtual Course on Ethics in Psychotherapy (Taught at Ho Chi Minh University, Vietnam)

University of Ottawa

PSY 6002 - Applied Research Practicum

SRS 5109 - Psychedelics, Politics & Harm Reduction

AHL 2150 - Initiation to Contemplative Studies and Well-Being

AHL 2550 – Initiation aux Études Contemplatives et Bien-Être

SRS 2751 – Psychologie de la Religion

Public Speaking Engagements

Saint Paul University 2026 Valedictorian Speech

Introduction to Psychedelics in End-of-Life

Guest lecture in the Reclaiming Death AP Death Doula program

Introduction to Psychedelic Integration

Presented at Flow State Therapy

Molécules Sacrées: La Dimension Spirituelle des Substances Psychédéliques à Travers le Temps

Presented at Solars Centre

Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies: Understanding Psychedelics

Presented at the Ottawa Therapy Group

Communication in the Workplace

Presented at the Canadian Border Services Agency

Coming Soon

Signature Presentation

Coming Fall 2026