Kiyumi Retreats

A 6-month experiential and educational program in collaboration with Dr. Gabor Maté, including a 6-day psilocybin-assisted retreat in the Netherlands, starting in June 2024.

Register by April 15th, 2024

Overview

The Psychedelics and Compassionate Inquiry program runs from June to November 2024.

In-person

The retreats are integrated into the middle of the program, taking place from July to September 2024. In this way, you have ample time for adequate preparation and integration, guided by the Kiyumi team.

We use psilocybin containing truffles that are legal in the Netherlands. Our experienced practitioners support your preparation, journey, and integration process. For more information on psilocybin-containing-truffles, please read our FAQs.

Online

Live Virtual Sessions with Dr. Gabor Maté
Dr. Maté will guide an interactive group process in which he puts his approach into practice and shares his wisdom.

Compassionate Inquiry Circles
The circles are a gateway to understanding Dr. Maté’s approach and connecting it to your personal self-inquiry. This group is also your retreat group. This allows you to prepare and integrate with the same people. 

Kiyumi Interactive Workshops
These workshops will provide insights into important aspects of the psychedelic journey, such as tools for navigating the experience, embodiment and expressions, the mystical experience, community building, and much more.

Online sessions
Tuesdays and/or Thursdays @ 19:00 – 21:00 Central European Time (CET) from June to November.

For more information about the program please click here:

Components of the Program

6-Day Psychedelic Retreat with 2 Psilocybin Experiences

A 6-day all inclusive retreat with two psilocybin journeys, hosted at our beautiful center in the nature of the Netherlands. The retreat is a powerful and connective psychedelic-assisted process that deeply explores mind, body, and spirit.

6 Live Online Sessions
with Dr. Maté

Dr. Gabor Maté will facilitate 6 interactive online sessions over the duration of the program. Dr. Maté’s engaging and interactive approach to leading group sessions allows him to connect with individuals and what is alive in the space.

Kiyumí Psychedelic
Workshops

Our expert facilitators will share tools to prepare for, navigate through, and integrate the psychedelic journey in six online live-group workshops. The lively, experiential, and informative sessions will present different practices spanning from embodiment and…

Compassionate Inquiry Circles
& Video Material

In order to learn and experience the Compassionate Inquiry approach, you will participate in 10 CI circles throughout the program. Each session is 2 hours long and introduces you to the key concepts and practices in CI and initiates the process of self-inquiry.

Integration Program

In the phase of integration, we will assist you in exploring your experience, reflecting on the insights gained, and applying them to your life in a meaningful manner. Throughout, we will work towards finding balance in your path, encompassing mental, physical, and spiritual aspects…

Past Participants Have Expressed

Curriculum

Module 1

Psychedelic Journey
Preparation

We seek to create a safe space for an expansive psychedelic journey that harmonizes body, mind, and spirit. This module breaks down the journey step by step, mindfully addresses concerns, and provides tools for navigating the experience and anchoring yourself when challenges arise. This module empowers you to… read more

Module 2

Listening to the Body:
Embodied Experience

Through a range of somatic practices, we cultivate listening and tap into our body’s inherent wisdom. Participants engage with the self as a vivacious and full sensing organism. We discover and celebrate the body’s power of self-regulation and resilience. Deepening our relationship with our body, we explore how we exist… read more

Module 3

The Mystical Experience, Ritual,
and Ceremony

This module prepares for the ceremonial work encountered during the retreat, sharing information on its antecedents and inviting further engagement with ritual in daily life. Participants will explore what spirituality is for them, in what ways they relate to the great mystery, the unknown, and how to lean into it. We will study… read more

Module 4

Sound and Movement:
Play as Medicine

By freeing our expression through voice and movement, we can reconnect with joy, authenticity, deep emotional release, and modes of knowing beyond language. Together, within a safe community that invites and celebrates vulnerability, we will learn about playfulness, shame, and letting… read more

Module 5

Contemplative Practices

Contemplative practices enhance our awareness of what lies within as well as beyond our own body, and support simply being. Practicing going inward, sitting with what is, and accepting our states with equanimity serves as a powerful tool for navigating psychedelic spaces as well as our daily lives… read more 

Module 6

Connection to Nature

Growing in vast networks below the mushrooms, mycelium functions as a resource-web allowing trees to share messages and nutrients. Mycelium exemplifies connection and mutualism, inviting us to bond with our interrelated nature and assisting us to remember we are integrated into the web of life… read more 

Module 7

(Re)membering Community:
Power of the Group

Together, we seek to overcome the often isolating individualization of society and commune in a manner that nurtures empathy, connection, and a space for group processing. Being held in a group setting offers us a unique container to lean into our humanness and to be seen and heard with compassion. Similar to how our body’s… read more

Module 8

Integration

The integration process is an ongoing path intended to help digest and ground your journey in a meaningful way during the retreat and beyond. The weeks and months after a retreat can be a pivotal time of growth, change, turbulence, and celebration. Integration offers fertile ground to learn or unlearn habits and embody… read more

Testimonials

Participants share their retreat experience

Who is this program for?

This training is open to healthy individuals and practitioners who are interested in acquiring comprehensive tools for self development and are willing to commit to an extensive personal-inquiry process supported by psilocybin containing truffles.

Nina, UK

“ It hasn't been often in my life where I have felt that connected to myself and to other humans. I was able to experience deep grief and sadness in a safe and supported environment which has helped me process the passing of my wonderful Dad. I have learnt the importance of community - something I have been longing for. A place to feel safe where everything is welcome, to be supported and to support others. I feel more connected to my heart and the retreat as a whole has helped me on my path in coming home to myself.”

Dhakshini, UK

"I have connected with parts of myself that had been suppressed since childhood as well connecting with other group members so deeply. The love I have for myself and the other members feels for the first time so authentic. High lights were the ceremony and integration days and discussions with facilitators. In essence I took away what I needed to find and that was the ability to truly trust.

Marian, UK

"There's a real gender binary, often in medicine circles. I feel like neither and both. It felt here like there's a fluidity with it all and a place for whatever kind of expression I bring. I haven't experienced that before in any other medicine circles. I felt seen, taken care of and I´m very grateful for this inclusive and safe environment."

Xavier, Netherlands

" The retreat was profound and life changing for me. It was the most connecting and meaningful experience in many years. It helped me gain insight into underlying patterns and suffering, to my body and to feelings that I had long ago lost touch with. Kiyumi has a way of making you feel like you just came home to your tribe. Real attention and connection in everything they do. "

Barbara, Germany

“I have been to a few psychedelic ceremonies, but never with such intense care, and such truly dedicated facilitators, and an understanding that healing happens in community, that sharing and integration is fundamental, and that play and dance and joy are part of it as well”

Kyle, Berlin

"I loved every single one of the facilitators! They all brought their own unique energy and skill set that combined to create a beautiful safe space that allowed us to do deep work, but also (and maybe more importantly?) have fun!"

Tiph, UK

“Releasing pain. Laughing. Connection. Peace. Stillness.”

Anette, UK

“The different sessions were all excellently held, and I enjoyed the mix of things more meditative and more energetic. Everything felt thoughtfully and lovingly planned. It was an overwhelmingly positive experience. The facilitators were outstanding: warm, open, wise - it felt like you were all coming from the depth of your own experiences with this process. I can’t wait to see what the longer term impact might be!”

Meet the Team

Our interdisciplinary team of specialists is trauma-informed and here to support you on this in-depth journey. We come from a wide variety of backgrounds – clinicians, therapists, body/voice/movement-practitioners, researchers, and artists. The diversity of our team is essential to our work, safety, and inclusivity to support a very human experience.

Dr. Gabor Maté

Integrative Sessions Leader

Gabor Maté is a retired physician who, after 20 years of family practice and palliative care experience, worked for over a decade in Vancouver’s…

Amit Elan

Visionary Director | Facilitator

Amit Elan is leading the vision of Kiyumí. He is co-director of Altered – a conference exploring psychedelic research and consciousness in Berlin.

Dr. Rosalind Watts

Clinical Psychologist | Integration Specialist

Dr Rosalind Watts is a clinical psychologist and the founder of ACER Integration. Her contributions to the field of psychedelic therapy…

Leor Roseman

Psychedelic Researcher

Leor is a researcher at the Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London. He received his MRes and PhD under the mentorship of…

Julian Vayne

Occultist | Psychonaut | Writer

Julian is a co-organizer of the psychedelic conference Breaking Convention, and a Trustee of The Psychedelic Museum Project. A founding member of the…

Lisa Wessing

MA Clinical Psychologist | Facilitator

Lisa Wessing has a Master in Clinical Psychology and was trained in psychology, anthropology, and biology in her BSc. Lisa has been …

Dr. Julia Javkin

PhD | Psychiatrist | Screening Director

Dr. Julia Javkin graduated as a physician from the U.N.R in Argentina. She graduated as an Acupuncturist at that same University. She specialized as…

Lia Amit

Somatic Psychotherapist |
Voice & Movement Teacher | Facilitator

Lia is a somatic therapist, voice and movement teacher. Lia is facilitating spaces for healing through empathic connection. Holding space for Mindful…

Públio Valle

Integration Therapist |
Facilitator

Públio is an integration therapist, yoga and meditation teacher. His initial contact with Ayahuasca in the Peruvian Amazon inspired him to do deeper investigations in Asia…

Asha Passalacqua

Integrative Body Worker |
Facilitator

Asha Passalacqua is an integrative bodyworker, aquatic therapist, and movement facilitator. A believer in holistic, human-centered, and social-justice informed approaches…

Dr. Allison Creech

PhD Psychology, Naturopathic Dr |
CI Facilitator

Dr. Allison Creech, M.Ed, ND is a Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner, Facilitator, and Mentor. She has worked as a licensed doctor of naturopathic medicine…

Dr. Vimalasara (Valerie) Mason-John M.A (hon.doc)

Author | CI Facilitator

Dr Vimalasara (Valerie) Mason-John M.A is a founding facilitator of Compassionate Inquiry, and is the author of 10 books, including the award winning book…

Lara Longo

Psychotherapist | CI facilitator

Lara is a Compassionate Inquiry Founding Facilitator and Practitioner. As a psychotherapist and trauma therapist, her approach to therapy is…

Lilian Gscheidel

BSC Psychology, Hospice | Facilitator

Lilian Gscheidel is a gestalt- and dance therapist as well as a trained facilitator for transpersonal breath work and heroes journeys. Besides that, she gives…

Santiago Madero

Psychiatrist | Facilitator

Santiago Madero is a trained physician from Colombia who works as psychiatrist and therapist in Barcelona, where he is starting a center…

Matt Russell

CI Facilitator

Matt Russell is a Compassionate Inquiry Facilitator and a Marriage and Family Therapist based in Sacramento California. He has trained in…

How to take part?

Investment

In order to give you a comprehensive program, carefully constructed learning material, expert facilitators, and top quality venues the financial investment will be based on a sliding scale as follows:

Early Bird Price

5500€

(SOLD OUT)

Regular Price

6500€

Additional costs:
90€ Psilocybin Truffles
90€ shuttle to/from retreat (optional)

To make our offerings as accessible as possible, in addition to the sliding scale, we are offering an equity fund and various options to pay your ticket in installments. You can also choose to transfer your full tuition fee at once upon acceptance.

Payment plans are available once you are accepted and make your payment. You may pay in monthly installments. Registration is possible until April 15th, 2024.

Equity Scholarship

In line with Kiyumi’s vision of building an inclusive and mixed platform, we have set up the Kiyumi Equity Fund to be able to provide equitable access to safe psychedelic experiences to people who would otherwise not be able to afford participating.

We welcome applications from all perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences; however, members of the following groups are especially encouraged to apply: Members of LGBTIQ+ communities, members of ethnic minorities, persons with a deep financial need, single parents, and differently abled persons (provided they can participate in the activities of the program and retreat). Additionally, we would like to support people at the beginning of their career with a professional interest in psychedelics or whose experience may impact their potential to cause positive change.

Registration closes April 15th

There is limited capacity for the program

Applications are accepted pending an approval process. Please note that the use of psilocybin is not suitable or advisable for everyone. There are some instances where we are unable to accept an application due to potential psychological, medical, or pharmacological contraindications.

Focus on self growth 

This is an educational, experiential, and developmental program. It is not suitable for people seeking therapy or as a substitute for therapy and it cannot be used in place of psychological/therapeutic support. 

It is recommended that you talk to your therapist about your intentions to participate in the program if you are currently in therapy. It can be useful to discuss your experiences and further explorations of the online program with your mental health professional for further insight.


FAQs

If you have questions about our other programs, please read our general FAQ, and for any other questions, you can always reach out to us via contact@kiyumi.org.

Psychedelics & Compassionate Inquiry Program

Which parts of the program will Dr. Gabor Maté be teaching?

Dr. Gabor Maté will be teaching via 6 live-online meetings in which he will support the preparation and integration process of the program. In interactive sessions with Dr. Gabor Maté, he will discuss intention setting, beliefs, and triggers through the lens of his modality, Compassionate Inquiry. In these live sessions, Dr. Maté will also interact with participants and answer questions.

How do I join the online classes and workshops?

All online classes will be held in the Kiyumi Zoom rooms. Participants will receive links upon signing up.

How many people will be attending the online portion of the program?

CI Circle Sessions will be held online in groups of up to 16 people, with whom you will also attend the retreat. Kiyumi workshops and live online sessions with Dr. Gabor Maté will be conducted online, with all program participants in attendance (96 people).

When will the Kiyumi workshops and CI sessions take place?

The program will begin on June 4, 2024. All groups will start with the online material, CI circles, Kiyumi workshops, and sessions with Dr. Gabor Maté before attending a retreat. This gives sufficient time to prepare for the retreat and supports familiarity within each group. The program is also structured in such a way that there is sufficient assisted integration time after the retreats.

Workshops and sessions with Dr. Maté will alternate between Tuesdays and Thursday. They will always be held from 19:00 – 21:00 CET.

Your retreat group corresponds to your CI circle group. The CI circles will be held on Tuesdays or Thursdays, depending on the retreat option you choose.

Participants attending retreat options 1-3 will attend CI circles on Thursdays, 19:00 – 21:00 CET

Participants attending retreat options 4-6 will attend CI circles on Tuesdays, 19:00 – 21:00 CET

About retreats

During your application, you will be asked to select retreat dates. We will have a cohort of approximately 90 people that are split up into 6 groups. Each group will do one retreat during the 6 months. 

You choose one retreat from the following options:

  • July 13 – 18
  • July 28 – August 2
  • August 5 – 10
  • August 13 – 18
  • August 22 – 27
  • September 7 – 12
If I miss a workshop or CI session, will a recording be available?

The Kiyumi workshops and the sessions with Dr. Gabor Maté will be recorded.

As the CI sessions are an intimate group process, there will not be recordings available for these. However, participants will still receive full access to all the written and video Compassionate Inquiry material that accompanies each session.

Is it possible to pay for the program in monthly installments?

Yes. After your application is accepted, you will receive an email detailing how you can pay in up to four monthly installments.

Application & Data Protection

Application

You will apply to the program online. In the application, we ask different questions about your personal history so that we can support you accordingly and assess whether this program is suitable for you. 

Once we send the confirmation via email, you will receive a payment link to reserve your spot. Your spot will be reserved as soon as we receive your payment, or your first payment if you pay in installments. Please see our cancellation procedure below.

You will receive more information for your preparation for the program closer to the start of the program.

Data Protection

Your application helps us gain insight into your intention for working with us and the needs you may have during the entire process, meaning before, during, and after the retreat.

We thank you for your honest and detailed responses to our questions. We are aware of the sensitivity of the information you provide and take data protection very seriously. Your information will only be shared amongst the relevant members of our team and no one outside of Kiyumí will be given access to your personal data.

We use a customer relationship management tool in order to securely store and access your digital information. This is only accessible to members of the Kiyumí team.

Cancellations & COVID-19

Cancellation Policies for Full Program

Your retreat fee includes a €300 non-refundable deposit, which covers application processing and administrative fees. If you have any questions, please reach out to contact@kiyumi.org. Our office team will be of assistance.

Should you decide to cancel your participation in the full program after you have been accepted and paid your fee, you can let us know by April 1st, 2024 at latest. Kiyumí will issue a full refund of your investment, excluding the non-refundable deposit, only if we are able to fill your spot with a participant who has been accepted and paid their fee before the program begins. Please note that no refunds will be available for cancellations made after April 1st, 2024.

Unfortunately, we cannot provide a refund or change the dates of your retreat, if you are unable to attend the retreat that you signed up for. We invite you to still participate in the online part of the program. This is important for the safety of the container of the group.

Cancellation policies for retreat

Unfortunately, we cannot provide a refund or change the dates of your retreat if you are unable to attend the retreat that you signed up for. We invite you to still participate in the online part of the program. This is important for the safety of the container of the group.

If you are unable to attend the retreat and wish to transfer to another retreat further down the line, then there will be an extra charge for the retreat.

What are the COVID-19 restrictions on traveling to the Netherlands?

We follow the local regulations in the Netherlands. Currently, there are no restrictions for our retreats.

What is your Covid safety policy?

We follow the local regulations in the Netherlands. Currently, there are no restrictions for our retreats.

Participants are responsible for confirming that they are able to travel and enter the Netherlands. We encourage you to regularly verify travel policies and local restrictions before and after applying to our retreats. Please find the latest rules and travel regulations for visiting the Netherlands here.

Psychedelic Substance and Dosages

Why are truffles used?

We use truffles in our retreats. Psilocybin-containing-truffles are legally sold in the Netherlands, while Psilocybin-containing-mushrooms are not. Truffles may have a different appearance, yet they share the same active ingredient as the so-called “magic mushrooms”.

Fungi are complex beings in which the mushroom is only one part of the whole. The mushroom is the fruiting body of fungi and is visible above the ground. The larger part of fungi is actually below ground and is called the mycelium. This is a web of thin fibers that grow through the soil, wood, and organic matter. The mycelium connects plants and trees within a forest, exchanges minerals and food with plants, and digests and breaks down plant matter. Some species of mushrooms have adapted to droughts by creating tough knots of mycelium beneath the ground, which are commonly called truffles.

What is the dosage of truffles in ceremony?

The recommended dosage is between 1 to 1.5 packs (between 22gr to 33gr) of a specific strain to maintain safety and consistent results. This contains around 20-35 mg psilocybin. Ultimately, the dose will depend on your medical history, body weight, personality type and previous experience with psychedelics.

How are the truffles ingested?

Participants will ingest the truffles in a ginger tea infusion which allows fast absorption and helps reduce the possibility of nausea.

Retreat Eligibility

Is my medication compatible with this experience?

It is important that your application reflects your actual state as well as your medication. Some might have contraindications, and we need to make sure we can safely work together before, during, and after the retreat.

Unfortunately, we cannot accept people who are currently using SSRIs/ SNRIs, MAOI antidepressants, tricyclic antidepressants, or antipsychotics. For eligibility, it is necessary to have stopped using these types of medications for at least 3 months before participating in our retreats. We do not advise you to stop using any kind of medication without the advice and support of your mental health practitioner/ medical doctor.

What are the main contra-indications?

We cannot accept people who have suffered/are currently suffering from epileptic attacks, psychosis, severe depression, suicidal thought patterns, personality disorder (borderline), bi-polar disorder, or schizophrenia. It is for your safety and ours (including other participants), so we strongly recommend you follow these indications. If you are unsure about what you are experiencing/have experienced, write extensively about it in your application form so we have a higher chance to safely and correctly evaluate your participation.  

We may ask you for an online interview with our psychiatrist before confirming your acceptance to rule out any possible complications.

What is your policy for medical emergencies?

The Kiyumi staff is trained in first aid and we will have necessary first aid equipment present on-site. We have a safety protocol in place for any emergencies beyond our scope in which both medical and/or psychiatric support can be called onsite. If you have any allergies, we recommend bringing an epi-pen for extra safety.

Does a mental health / physical health diagnosis mean that I cannot attend the retreats?

We make decisions on each application on a case by case basis. Our safety team takes care in reviewing the psychological and physical health, medications, etc. in order to assess whether an applicant can be approved. We may ask you for an interview with our psychiatrist before confirming your application to rule out any possible complications.

Certain mental or physical health conditions or the medications that are used to treat these conditions may interact in potentially risky ways with psilocybin. Please provide a detailed description of any diagnoses so we can take appropriate measures and keep you safe.

Travel, Accommodation and Catering

Travel Preparations

Booking transportation to and from Amsterdam:

Arrival: Before 14:00 CET

Onward travel: After 17:00/18:00 CET

The retreat group will meet earliest at 14:00 CET at the Kokopelli Smartshop. The smartshop is located about a 5 minutes walk from Amsterdam Central Station. Here, the group will gather and also buy the truffles for the retreat. A facilitator will meet you there and bring you to the shuttle.
You may also choose to make your own way to the venue. The address of the venue will be in your preparation kit sent one month before your retreat.

The retreat ends around 13:00 CET on the last day. Arrival in Amsterdam will depend on which retreat venue you are at. You will arrive at Amsterdam Central Station between 16:00 – 17:00. Please book your onward travel accordingly.

What to bring:

You will receive a digital preparation kit from us approximately a month before your retreat. You will receive information about what to bring and how to prepare for the retreat.

Can I come to the retreat late or leave a day early?

Unfortunately, it is not possible for participants to arrive a day late or leave a day early. The retreat is constructed in a way to create a safe container for all participants and in which all parts are important for the individual as well as group experience. We also recommend taking some time off after the retreat, a day or more, to allow for a smooth transition back into daily life.

How do I get to the retreat?

We offer a shuttle bus to and from the venue. The shuttle will pick you up close to the main station in Amsterdam. This is a great opportunity to get familiar with the group and a facilitator will be present to accompany the ride. There is an additional cost of Є90.

You are also able to make your own way to the venue. All needed information about times and addresses will be sent as part of the Welcome Package, which you will receive at the beginning of the program.

Can I have a single room?

Yes, depending on availability and the date of your request/booking. There are a limited amount of private rooms. There is an additional cost of 250€ all together for the 5 nights. If, for specific reasons, you need to obtain a single room and do not have the funds for it, write to us at contact@kiyumi.org or ask for a call with one of our team members.

What kind of food will be served?

This is a plant-based retreat (vegan). The meal plan is specifically adapted to the retreat, taking into account the specific nutrition needed before and after your psychedelic journey. Nutrition is important for health and joy in life, and Kiyumí emphasizes delicious and healthy food as part of a happy life. Please indicate any special dietary requirements during your application so that our chefs can adapt to your needs.

More Questions?

For any other inquiries, please email us at contact@kiyumi.org

6-Day Psychedelic Retreat with 2 Psilocybin Experiences

A 6-day all inclusive retreat with two psilocybin journeys, hosted at our beautiful center in the nature of the Netherlands. The retreat is a powerful and connective psychedelic-assisted process that deeply explores mind, body, and spirit. 

This includes:

You choose one retreat from the following options:

6 Live Online Sessions with Dr. Maté

Dr. Gabor Maté will facilitate 6 interactive online sessions over the duration of the program. Dr. Maté’s engaging and interactive approach to leading group sessions allows him to connect with individuals and what is alive in the space.

He will facilitate two-hour sessions with a specific focus on supporting the group’s psychedelic experiences and the subsequent integration process. This will be done through the use of Compassionate Inquiry, alongside sharing his wisdom.

Kiyumí Psychedelic Workshops

Our expert facilitators will share tools to prepare for, navigate through, and integrate the psychedelic journey in six online live-group workshops. The lively, experiential, and informative sessions will present different practices spanning from embodiment and contemplative practices, free and creative expression, to community processes and social change. These workshops complement the overall program, and further information is available in our curriculum.

This includes:

Compassionate Inquiry Circles & Video Material

In order to learn and experience the Compassionate Inquiry approach, you will participate in 10 CI circles throughout the program. Each session is 2 hours long and introduces you to the key concepts and practices in CI and initiates the process of self-inquiry. This group will also be your retreat group, allowing you to create connections before the retreat, deepen your bonds during the retreat, and continue the integration process together afterwards. These complimentary circles are interactive experiential group sessions based on the work of Gabor Maté. They are facilitated by our certified CI practitioners. For more information about the CI approach here.

This includes:

Integration Program

In the phase of integration, we will assist you in exploring your experience, reflecting on the insights gained, and applying them to your life in a meaningful manner. Throughout, we will work towards finding balance in your path, encompassing mental, physical, and spiritual aspects, as well as lifestyle, social connections, and your relationship with the natural world.

This includes:

Module 1

Psychedelic Journey Preparation

We seek to create a safe space for an expansive psychedelic journey that harmonizes body, mind, and spirit. This module breaks down the journey step by step, mindfully addresses concerns, and provides tools for navigating the experience and anchoring yourself when challenges arise. This module empowers you to forge a relationship with your intention, your inner guidance, and your trust in the process. 

In this module, we will focus on (online and in-person):

Module 2

Listening to the Body: Embodied Experience

Through a range of somatic practices, we cultivate listening and tap into our body’s inherent wisdom. Participants engage with the self as a vivacious and full sensing organism. We discover and celebrate the body’s power of self-regulation and resilience. Deepening our relationship with our body, we explore how we exist within the environment and its interplay with us. These trauma-informed lessons will investigate the necessity and sensitivity of touch in our lives and how it can be fostered in a way that is supportive, honors, and protects our boundaries. 

In this module, we focus on (online & onsite):

Module 3

The Mystical Experience, Ritual, and Ceremony

This module prepares for the ceremonial work encountered during the retreat, sharing information on its antecedents and inviting further engagement with ritual in daily life. Participants will explore what spirituality is for them, in what ways they relate to the great mystery, the unknown, and how to lean into it. We will study ritual and ceremony and discuss ways to create ceremonies in our own way. Through creating our own rituals, we learn to approach experiences with intention, curiosity, and gratitude.

In this module, we focus on (online & in-person):

Module 4

Sound and Movement: Play as Medicine

By freeing our expression through voice and movement, we can reconnect with joy, authenticity, deep emotional release, and modes of knowing beyond language. Together, within a safe community that invites and celebrates vulnerability, we will learn about playfulness, shame, and letting.

In this module, we focus on (online & onsite):

Module 5

Contemplative Practices

Contemplative practices enhance our awareness of what lies within as well as beyond our own body, and support simply being. Practicing going inward, sitting with what is, and accepting our states with equanimity serves as a powerful tool for navigating psychedelic spaces as well as our daily lives.

In this module we focus on (online & onsite):

Module 6

Connection to Nature

Growing in vast networks below the mushrooms, mycelium functions as a resource-web allowing trees to share messages and nutrients. Mycelium exemplifies connection and mutualism, inviting us to bond with our interrelated nature and assisting us to remember we are integrated into the web of life. 

In this module we focus on (online & onsite):

Module 7

(Re)membering Community: Power of the Group

Together, we seek to overcome the often isolating individualization of society and commune in a manner that nurtures empathy, connection, and a space for group processing. Being held in a group setting offers us a unique container to lean into our humanness and to be seen and heard with compassion. Similar to how our body’s intelligent systems are interconnected and impact one another, we are directly connected to our environment and have the potential to alter and grow through our interpersonal relationships. In this collective manner, we investigate and imagine how to develop a compassionate practice of serving ourselves, our community, and the world.  

In this module we focus on (online & onsite):

Module 8

Integration

The integration process is an ongoing path intended to help digest and ground your journey in a meaningful way during the retreat and beyond. The weeks and months after a retreat can be a pivotal time of growth, change, turbulence, and celebration. Integration offers fertile ground to learn or unlearn habits and embody new lessons and wisdom in daily life. Our facilitators are here to guide you throughout the process, both in individual sessions and in group workshops. Integration includes tools, practices, gatherings, and inspirations to support your journey and to make new paths that are attuned to your inner process.

In this module we focus on (online & onsite):

profile-gabormate

Dr. Gabor Maté

Program Leader
Gabor Maté is a retired physician who, after 20 years of family practice and palliative care experience, worked for over a decade in Vancouver’s Downtown East Side with patients challenged by drug addiction and mental illness. The bestselling author of four books published in thirty languages, including the award-winning In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction, Gabor is an internationally renowned speaker highly sought after for his expertise on addiction, trauma, childhood development, and the relationship of stress and illness. For his groundbreaking medical work and writing he has been awarded the Order of Canada.
profile-amit

Amit Elan

Visionary Director | Facilitator
Amit Elan is leading the vision of Kiyumí. He is co-director of Altered - a conference exploring psychedelic research and consciousness in Berlin. Over the last 6 years Amit worked as a facilitator with different legal psilocybin assisted retreat organisations including the Psychedelic Society UK, and led over the last decade many diverse group processes and workshops focused towards the LGBTQI+ community. He studied dance, fine Arts, Somatic Experiencing, Compassionate Inquiry© (a psychotherapeutic approach developed by Dr. Gabor Maté) and other bodywork methods. Amit is a trained Hatha Yoga teacher and traditional Thai massage practitioner. His great interest for the study of plant medicine, psychedelics, therapy and shamanism, along with the quest for supporting his autoimmune conditions (arthritis and Crohn's) is what brought him over a decade ago to research the plant world before learning with the Shipibo, Huni Kuin and Yawanawa indigenous medicine people in the Peruvian and Brazilian Amazons.
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Dr Rosalind Watts

Clinical Psychologist, Imperial College London
Dr Rosalind Watts is a clinical psychologist and the founder of ACER Integration. Her contributions to the field of psychedelic therapy are numerous and include the development of the the ACE model ‘Accept, Connect, Embody’, which has been used in clinical trials of both psilocybin and DMT, as well as the Watts Connectedness Scale, which is a psychometric tool for measuring outcomes of psychedelic therapy. Dr Watts is the former clinical lead on the Psilocybin for Depression trial at Imperial College London, the clinical track lead on the Synthesis Institute’s psychedelic practitioner training, and sits on the clinical advisory board of the Usona Institute.
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Leor Roseman

Psychedelic Researcher
Lero Roseman is a researcher at the Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London. He received his MRes and PhD under the mentorship of Prof. Robin Carhart-Harris and Prof. David Nutt, and played an essential role in establishing the Centre. His research interests are diverse and cover neuroscientific, phenomenological, therapeutic, anthropological, and psychosocial aspects of psychedelic use. Currently, Leor is investigating relational processes and group dynamics in psychedelic rituals. Together with Palestinian and Israeli activists and researchers, he is developing a praxis of research & action which utilizes the potential of psychedelics for peacebuilding, liberation and justice. They hope to create a relational-participatory approach that focuses on both personal and societal healing and considers action and healing as intertwined.
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Julian Vayne

Julian Vayne Occultist, Psychonaut, Writer
Julian is a co-organizer of the psychedelic conference Breaking Convention, and a Trustee of The Psychedelic Museum Project. A founding member of the post-prohibition think-tank Transform, Julian sits on the academic board of The Journal of Psychedelic Studies, and has been a visiting lecturer at several British universities. He is an advocate of post-prohibition culture and supporter of psychedelic prisoners through the Scales project. Julian facilitates psychedelic ceremony, as well as providing one-to-one psychedelic integration sessions and support. He is the author of the celebrated Getting Higher: The Manual of Psychedelic Ceremony. Since 2011 he has been sharing his work through The Blog of Baphomet.
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Lisa Wessing

MA Clinical Psychologist | Facilitator
Lisa Wessing has a Master in Clinical Psychology and was trained in psychology, anthropology, and biology in her BSc. Lisa has been fortunate enough to work in one of the most renowned psychedelic centers in Mexico, assisting in psychedelic therapy and providing support to people dealing with different issues from depression to addiction. Her background is in harm reduction and trip sitting, having aided in the creation of the only harm reduction project in Mexico. Traditional healing and ritual are some of her passions, as well as delving into the sweat lodge rituals of North America to heal, ground, and empower with song, gratitude, and service.
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Dr. Julia Javkin

PhD | Psychiatrist | Screening Director
Dr. Julia Javkin graduated as a physician from the U.N.R in Argentina. She graduated as an Acupuncturist at that same University. She specialized as a psychiatrist in London. Julia is the chief medical supervisor at the Beckley foundation clinic for psychedelic assisted therapy. She has a Gestalt approach, based on her studies with GATLA (Gestalt Association Los Angeles) and with Escenario Invisible (Argentina). Due to her artistic development in the past 15 years in dance, somatic practices, and more recently in martial arts, she combines movement therapy, acupuncture, and psychiatrist skills in her practise. She has also been involved in research during the last 6 years. Julia is based in Barcelona since 2019, working in many fields connected with mental health, mostly related to addiction. She has been working for public and private institutions through private consultations and leading movement-therapy workshops in London and Barcelona.
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Lia Amit

Somatic Psychotherapist | Voice & Movement Teacher | Facilitator
Lia is a somatic therapist, voice and movement teacher. Lia is facilitating spaces for healing through empathic connection. Holding space for Mindful listening in voice, movement and being. Her life work as a Therapist, Mover, musician and a facilitator and a human originate in the wish to enhance one's virtue of being, allowing more space for one's uniqueness to shine.
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Públio Valle

Integration Therapist | Facilitator
Públio is an integration therapist, yoga and meditation teacher. His initial contact with Ayahuasca in the Peruvian Amazon inspired him to do deeper investigations in Asia, where he got a degree in Yoga Therapy in India, and studied meditation in different lineages across that continent. Públio concluded Gabor Maté's Compassionate Inquiry training and is currently studying Peter Levine's Somatic Experiencing approach. He has been working with plant medicines for the past 16 years, and his work is deeply grounded in the power of awareness, kindness and compassion.
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Asha Passalacqua

Integrative Body Worker | Facilitator
Asha Passalacqua is an integrative bodyworker, aquatic therapist, and movement facilitator. A believer in holistic, human-centered, and social-justice informed approaches to healing and liberation, Asha strives to meet others with humility, depth and care. He was trained in cognitive science & psychological anthropology at Hampshire College, and has worked as a peer support counsellor and crisis counsellor. Asha is currently finishing his Somatic Experiencing certification, and beginning his training in Compassionate Inquiry.
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Dr. Allison Creech

PhD Psychology, Naturopathic Dr | CI Facilitator
Dr. Allison Creech, M.Ed, ND is a Compassionate Inquiry Practitioner, Facilitator, and Mentor. She has worked as a licensed doctor of naturopathic medicine for more than 15 years, helping others to create wellbeing as they explore patterns of mind-body health and conscious living. She enjoys being a guide and educator, and has been on faculty at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine since 2003. She has a lifelong love for learning and is currently in the process of certifying as a psychedelic assisted therapy provider. She practices relational medicine from a perspective of resiliency and confidence in the human spirit.
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Dr. Vimalasara (Valerie) Mason-John M.A (hon.doc)

Author | CI Facilitator
Dr Vimalasara (Valerie) Mason-John M.A is a founding facilitator of Compassionate Inquiry, and is the author of 10 books, including the award winning book Eight Step Recovery, Using The Buddha's Teachings to Overcome Addiction, and Detox Your Heart, Meditations for Emotional Trauma. They work as a public speaker in the field of Mindfulness for Addiction and Trauma. They work online and in person between Canada, USA, UK and Spain.
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Lara Longo

Psychotherapist/ CI facilitator
Lara is a Compassionate Inquiry Founding Facilitator and Practitioner. As a psychotherapist and trauma therapist, her approach to therapy is informed by CI, integrating several trauma therapy modalities including EMDR, IFS, SE, trauma sensitive yoga and meditation, art therapy, plant medicine integration and ancient wisdom teachings. Lara has worked alongside Indigenous community since 2007 as a helper and therapist, her approach to psychotherapy has been strongly influenced by these connections. Lara is passionate about personal change and awareness; this intention forms the foundation of her work with clients and community.
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Lilian Gscheidel

BSC Psychology, Hospice | Facilitator
Lilian Gscheidel is a gestalt- and dance therapist as well as a trained facilitator for transpersonal breath work and heroes journeys. Besides that, she gives love retreats for couples, combining conscious sexuality, emotional work and trauma healing. Her own path of transformation is deeply interwoven with emotional and body processes, as well as altered states of consciousness.
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Santiago Madero

Psychiatrist | Facilitator
Santiago Madero is a trained physician from Colombia who works as psychiatrist and therapist in Barcelona, where he is starting a center envisioned for the implementation of psychedelic assisted therapies in the future, currently implementing a ketamine assisted psychotherapy program. He has been a yoga practitioner for more than a decade and has a strong curiosity for the exploration of consciousness. Santiago understands psychedelics as tools to access non-ordinary states of consciousness that work as catalizers for manifesting our inner healing wisdom in the right setting and with the appropriate integration processes. He stands for an integrative and interdisciplinary approach where the intersection of different therapeutic modalities meet our rich cultural, philosophical and social multiplicity to conceive the best tools to relieve our emotional and physical suffering. He stands for a humane, value-oriented and ethically robust approach to care.
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Matt Russell

CI Facilitator
Matt Russell is a Compassionate Inquiry Facilitator and a Marriage and Family Therapist based in Sacramento California. He has trained in MAPS MDMA-Assisted Therapy, Buddhist Chaplaincy, EMDR, Emotionally-Focused Couples Therapy (EFT) and Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR). Prior to becoming a therapist, Matt earned a PhD in Spanish Literature from the University of California Davis, where he researched intergenerational trauma in Spain. He has spent over three years living in Spain, France and Mexico, and has taught at various universities. Matt participated in one of the first legal psilocybin-assisted retreats in Jamaica and he has been involved in the psychedelic community for over a decade.