Fieldwork in Jamaica
Psilocybin-Assisted Retreat in Jamaica
One Retreat is a prominent psychedelic retreat center situated in the resort town of Negril, Jamaica. It stands as one of Jamaica's premier centers due to the numerous wellness retreats it offers, and its involvement with psilocybin research, that includes academic partners in the USA and Canada (e.g., Johns Hopkins University, Guelph University). The retreat has garnered attention for its involvement in provision of psychedelic-assisted therapy for Navy SEAL veterans dealing with PTSD. Drs. Williams and Vallely have been working closely with program directors to craft a program uniquely suited to our students' needs, and recently returned from a site visit of this facility in Jamaica. Anyone receiving psilocybin mushrooms would first be medically cleared by a licenced medical provider, with a medical personal present for the duration of the psilocybin experience.
The cost of this is retreat is currently $3900 USD.
The retreat includes:
- 2x Psilocybin Experiences (Full Deep Dive Ceromony)
- All Meals Included (3 meals/day)
- 2x Excursion with transport
- Accomodations
- 1x Pre-Retreat Group Online Session
- 1x Pre-Retreat 1-on-1 Online Session
- 1x Post-Retreat Group Sessions
- 2 x Airport Transfers
Fieldwork in Montreal
Ayahuasca at Local Santo Daime Church
Ayahuasca, a psychedelic plant medicine indigenous to South America, is extensively utilized in various syncretic churches across North America. It serves as the sacrament of the Santo Daime, a spiritual tradition with origins in Brazil, that combines elements of Christianity, Indigenous Amazonian beliefs, and African spiritual practices. Since 1999, the Santo Daime community has had a church in Montreal known as Céu do Montréal, where they hold weekly gatherings serving ayahuasca with the goal of facilitating spiritual growth, personal insight, and healing. Ayahuasca is consumed as a tea in a communal setting with over 20 participants, overseen by the spiritual leader ("madrinha"), and trained facilitators. In Canada, Ayahuasca is legal for Santo Daime practitioners under the umbrella of religious freedom. We have established a longstanding working relationship with its founder, Rev. Dr. Jessica Rochester, a spiritual care provider and practicing psychotherapist, who will oversee student experiences to ensure there is significant attention and supervision maintained throughout the experience.
Ayahuasca is generally safe and non-addictive, and anyone receiving ayahuasca is medically cleared by church staff before being allowed to participate, along with trained church members present for the duration of the experience to ensure safety. Students will visit 3 times, and each visit includes a feee of approximately $60.
Fieldwork in Jamaica
Plant Medicine Workshop and Retreat
Visit Jamaica for an exclusive plant medicine workshop and retreat.
Join the Jamaica Cancer Care & Research Institute (JCCRI) for the unigue opportunity to legally experience psilocybin and to be guided in how to facilitate clients on their journey in a safe and meaningful personal experience. This experiential retreat is specifically designed to equip you with the practical hands-on knowledge professionals need. This includes hospice and palliative care doctors, chaplains, social workers, nurses, oncology professionals, psychologists, counselors, end-of-life doulas, alternative and complementary medicine practitioners, and traditional healers. UOttawa students have been able to attend at the reduced price of $3,200 USD.
Fieldwork in Ottawa
Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy
For over half a century, ketamine has been used as a medication to facilitate relaxation, manage pain in humans and animals, and induce non-ordinary state of consciousnesses. It is commonly used in medical settings as an anesthetic for both children and adults, administered by a licensed medical doctor or other prescriber. Due to its safety and low potential for addiction, when used under medical supervision it has a low risk profile. Psychedelic doses are much smaller than the amounts commonly used for anesthesia, and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is a widespread modality in both Canada and the USA.
The Behavioural Wellness Clinic in Ottawa is now offering ketamine-assisted therapy to MA program students for training purposes, provided they have a qualifying indication. Anyone receiving ketamine would first be medically cleared by a licenced medical provider. Participants would also receive preparatory and follow-up sessions with a registered psychotherapist, trained in delivering psychedelic psychotherapy, with oversight by Dr. Monnica Williams, board certified Ontario registered psychologist. All dosing sessions include two therapists.
Ketamine-assisted psychotherapy aims to facilitate a deeper level of self-awareness and healing by temporarily creating a non-ordinary state of consciousness. Costs start at $3,000 CDN, which includes consultation, assessment, medical evaluation, preparation session, KAP dosing session, and integration session.
Fieldwork in Ecuador
Plant Medicine Retreat in South America
In South America, there are various traditions that use ayahuasca and other sacred plants to address a wide range of problems. These ailments are usually understood holistically — as physical, mental, and spiritual illnesses simultaneously. These three aspects of life are typically intertwined in these traditional healing processes. These time-honored traditional medicines available with our expert medical partners at Nina Wasi in Ecuador and Colombia, South America.
Johnathan Flores, MD, is a traditional Healer and medical doctor. Born in the United States, Dr. Flores is of Colombian descent and can trace his lineage back to three distinct indigenous groups in Columbia and Ecuador. There are many healers in his family, and he is proud to carry on the healing tradition. Dr. Flores obtained his MD in Ecuador where he is licensed as a General Medical Practitioner. In addition, he has studied a variety of spiritual practices and trained for over 9 years in traditional Amazonian medicine. He uses ayahuasca, San Pedro, psilocybin mushrooms, and a number of other medicinal plants in his practice, depending on the needs of the client.
Dr. Flores prides himself on the highest ethical and professional standards of care. To serve many different clients, he is fluent in Spanish and English, and conversant in German. The cost of this 7-day group retreat is currently $3900 USD. It includes 2 ceremonies and all lodging and meals, in partnership with an Indigenous healing community in Colombia. Individual experiences in Olon, Ecuador start at $10,000 USD.
Fieldwork in Various Locations
Holotropic Breathwork
Holotropic Breathwork is a therapeutic breathing practice developed by psychiatrists Stanislav and Christina Grof in the 1970s. It is designed to help individuals achieve a state of heightened self-awareness and emotional release through controlled, accelerated breathing. During a typical session, participants breathe deeply and rapidly in a supportive and supervised environment, often accompanied by evocative music and facilitated by trained professionals. This intense breathing is believed to induce altered states of consciousness, similar to those experienced during certain types of meditation or psychedelic experiences, allowing participants to explore their inner thoughts and emotions in a profound way. Holotropic Breathwork is used as a tool for personal growth, emotional healing, and spiritual insight.
Holotropic Breathwork occurs at various sites around the world, and this experience at approved sites can meet program fieldwork requirements. The costs of group sessions range from approximately $400-$1400.
