A community based psychedelic healing retreat for helpers, healers and caregivers.
The Inward Path
October 21-25, 2025
Brighton, Ontario
Are you looking to reclaim your vitality and reconnect with your purpose?
Through facilitated self-reflection, access to nature, time spent in community and two ketamine assisted psychotherapy sessions our 4 night healing retreat will offer several opportunities for you to re-connect with yourself, re-examine your purpose, and re-ignite your passion.
TOOLS USED
Internal Family Systems Therapy
Internal family systems therapy views people as a collection of parts with unique perspectives, desires and wounds and an underlying core self that is compassionate, courageous, calm, confident, clear and creative. IFS works to facilitate a connection between the parts of us that are concerned or suffering and the core self to enable our inherent capacity for growth and healing.
Somatic (Embodiment) Practices
Difficult past experiences can end up stored in our bodies as implicit memories. These memories can keep us locked in automatic nervous system response patterns that contribute to chronic stress, interpersonal conflict and difficulty accessing the nourishing “rest and digest” state our body needs to recover. Somatic practices invite us to orient to the wisdom of our bodies and compassionately witness the stories they carry.
Expressive Art Therapy
Words are limited in their capacity to enable us to express the multidimensional nature of our experiences and our emotions. Integrating art therapy into work with psychedelic medicines allows for the expression and further exploration of aspects of the experience that are otherwise unable to be expressed through words.
Restorative Sound Sessions
Restorative Sound Sessions facilitate deep relaxation and guide you to connect with your true essence and spiritual nature. Through a harmonious blend of live music, energy work and mind-body medicine, these sessions help you in navigating your emotional landscape to find clarity within.
Restorative Yoga
A gentle yoga practice focused on facilitating deep relaxation and fostering the body-mind connection. Postures are supported by props and modifications to allow for a full release into the posture without strain or pain. This effortless yoga practice can lead to greater regulation of the nervous system as it activates the parasympathetic branch of the nervous system and reminds the body of its intrinsic relaxation response.
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy
Ketamine is sometimes referred to as a “heart opening” medicine given its capacity to enable individuals to access their compassion for self and for others. At lower doses it can be used to foster connection and creativity, enhancing the outcomes of an individual or group therapy session. At higher doses it can be used to facilitate a transformative non-ordinary state of consciousness experience, sometimes referred to as a psychedelic journey. During our time together you will have the opportunity to experience the healing potential of both.
A COMPASSIONATE CONTAINER
Inner healing work requires the right context. Our unique setting offers: a group of participants with shared experiences, a beautiful retreat centre located close to nature, and a group of facilitators prepared to help you witness and honour your social, emotional, spiritual and physical needs as they arise throughout our time together. With a 3:1 participant to facilitator ratio, you’ll have lots of support available each step of the way.
Daily Schedule
While the schedule will fluctuate slightly each day, this offers an overview of what you can expect:
8:00-9:00 - Breakfast
9:00-12:00 - Group Process
12:00-1:00 - Lunch
1:00-5:00 - Experiential Session
Each participant will have the opportunity to participate in two ketamine assisted experiential sessions during the retreat.
5:00-6:00 - Dinner
6:00-8:00 - Group Process
8:00 - 9:00 - Optional Closing Activity:
Restorative Yoga
Yoga Nidra
Mindful Movement Practice
Fire Ceremony
THE FACILITATORS
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![Dr. Cheryl Willsie (she/her), Healing Retreat]()
Dr. Cheryl Willsie (she/her)
Integrative & Trauma Informed Psychiatrist
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![Dr. Anthony Giordano, Healing Retreat]()
Dr. Anthony Giordano (he/him)
Family Physician & Internal Family Systems Therapist
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![Maggie Pajak, Healing Retreat]()
Maggie Pajak (she/they)
Registered Social Worker & Internal Family Systems Therapist
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![Jared Dalton, Healing Retreat]()
Jared Dalton (he/him)
Registered Social Worker & Internal Family Systems Therapist
Shared accommodations (two people to a room) and plant based meals and snacks will be provided onsite.
REGISTRATION PROCESS
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Complete our online pre-registration form. Our care specialist will then be in touch to schedule a time for your initial medical consultation with one of our physicians. You’ll be asked to provide a 150$ deposit in order to book this consultation. This deposit will be applied to the retreat costs should you decide to proceed. If you and the physician decide it's not the right fit at this point in time, the deposit will be returned to you. If you are unable to attend your scheduled consultation, and don’t contact us to reschedule, the deposit is non-refundable.
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Prior to your medical intake you will be emailed a link to an assessment form that includes a number of scales. Please complete this form at least 24 hours ahead of your medical intake so we have time to review it and can make the most of our time together.
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You’ll meet with one of the physician facilitators to help you determine whether this program is the right fit for you and your goals. The physician will share more about the medicines that will be used and explore your health history with you. They will discuss what you can expect and any potential risks based on your own unique circumstances.
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Following your medical intake we’ll ask you to make a registration payment to hold your spot. You may choose to pay the full amount up front or in three separate instalments. Please note that your space in the retreat wont be held until you submit your first payment.
October 21-25, 2024.
Cost is $4500 (shared accommodations) or $5000 (private accommodations)*. Some of the retreat expenses may be eligible for reimbursement through your extended health benefits. There will be a limited amount of spaces available at a reduced cost offered to those with financial need. If you require a subsidized space please let us know on your pre-registration form.
Space is limited to 12 participants and 2 private rooms. Payment is required following you medical intake to hold your space in the retreat.
FAQs
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Any use of medicine is accompanied by some inherent risks. Ketamine is no exception. Generally speaking, however, Ketamine has an excellent safety profile when used under medical supervision. Our medical providers will be meeting with each prospective participant for an in-depth discussion of their health. They will assess each individuals suitability for treatment using ketamine and explain any potential risks that are unique to the individual. They can also answer any additional questions you may have about the medicine and its effects.
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In Ontario Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is legal when prescribed by a physician or nurse practitioner.
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If you have an accessibility/medical need that requires you to have your own room - let us know and we’ll do our best to accommodate. If it’s a matter of personal preference, let us know that too, and if there is a single room available we will let you know.
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Definitely! While coming to a retreat like this on your own can offer an opportunity to experience community in a new way, sharing this experience with a friend, loved one or colleague can also support your integration afterwards.
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Our meals will be lovingly prepared by the team at Lotus Heart. All of the meals will be vegetarian and they are also experienced at accommodating for gluten/lactose free and vegan diets. If you have a particular need or allergy please do let us know.
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If you know one of the medical facilitators (personally or professionally) your medical intake will be completed by another facilitator to ensure your privacy and comfort.
Prior to the retreat and throughout our time together the facilitators will be sharing information and working as a team to support your experience. If there is any information you don’t want shared amongst the facilitator team, please inform the medical provider completing your intake.
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If you have coverage for the services of a Registered Social Worker (RSW) the portion of your retreat fees that are dedicated to professional psychotherapy services may be eligible for reimbursement. You will be issued a receipt for these services that can be submitted for reimbursement.
Need more information?
Fill out the contact form below and we’ll be in touch as soon as possible to answer any questions you may have before completing the pre-registration form.