FAQ

Great question! Most retreat centers and facilitators offer preparation and integration before and after the retreat/medicine experience as well as during the retreat. The amount of time available depends on the facilitator, many just aren’t designed for long term support. The roles of the facilitator and coach are discussed in more detail in my answer to the question “Can you sit for me?”

In the immediate days and weeks after an experience there is a window of opportunity when mental clarity replaces fogginess and our ability to overcome limiting self-beliefs and behaviors is strong.

What we do with this time sets the trajectory for the next several months and years of our lives. Integrating our experience with a professional coach extends the insights and healing gained through the experience into our minds and lives.

Sometimes unfamiliar feelings or suppressed pain can surface. Or, after having experienced an awakening, a person can feel lost between their old life and new. Without having someone to process these feelings with and ground us, we return to old comfort zones, losing the essence and wisdom of the experience. This comes up all the time in weekly sessions. People feel like they’re losing the feeling of the experience and insights that came through. It takes work to anchor this in and build on it.

The experience opens the door to real change, but the degree of benefit, lasting rewards, and results come through integration. Having a coach to guide you will allow you to succeed at the goals you have for lasting transformation.

This happens all the time. People often come to me for integration after an experience, sometimes months or years after. As we start to unpack their journey, they always say they wish they had started this work before their experience. They feel they could have gotten so much more out of it.

Preparing for a medicine journey has many layers. It includes getting into the right mindset, strengthening your body, communicating honestly in your relationships, making positive changes in your lifestyle and environment, and setting the stage for aftercare and ongoing integration of the experience.

Learning how to navigate the inner realms of a medicine journey with different tools, skills, and strategies so it can feel less overwhelming and get the most out of the experience is invaluable.

No. Some coaches do offer this service, but it’s always been clear to me that this is not my calling. Although guided by the same principles, holding space as a sitter/facilitator, and supporting someone with preparation and integration each have a specific skillset.

Facilitators are responsible for supplying medicines, proper dosing, medical, legal and safety protocols and, creating and holding the sacred ceremony space. Retreats are generally 3-5 days. The facilitators are present with you through the experience, supporting the release of emotions and stories, opening to insights and truths, and deepening the connection to yourself. Time available to clients outside the retreat space is limited.

As your coach I am with you through the thick and thin of everything you might face on the longer-term journey. I have gone through specialized training to understand the gifts of the medicines and value the integrity of this work. This is a specific and unique type of coaching designed to help people prepare for change, evaluate options, overcome issues holding them back and transform old ways of being as they find and cultivate the path of their true self.

The balance of coaches and facilitators working together creates a full spectrum experience for you to get the most out of your experience and provide long lasting results. It’s a 3-part process; preparation with your coach, experience with your facilitator, then back with your coach to unpack your experience and begin integration.

No.  As your coach, my role is to maintain neutrality*. I utilize the tools, resources, training and experience I have to support you on your healing journey. The journey is yours. I will support you with your research and knowing what questions to ask. This is an important and empowering part of the preparation phase of your experience.

When someone asks me, “Do you know where I can go for an Ayahuasca retreat?” I ask, “Why do you want to do Ayahuasca?” And the exploration begins.

*DISCLAIMER

No. As above, I can help you with questions to ask and share resources to assist you to do your own research.

This is a very common concern.  Especially for family members or friends when someone they love is preparing for a psychedelic experience.  Even more so if their intention is to treat addiction.

If you ask anyone that has experienced psychedelics in a therapeutic setting if they’re concerned about becoming addicted, they’ll generally say no and go on to tell you how beautiful, fulfilling, exhausting, and uncomfortable it was.

The biggest difference between addictive substances and psychedelics is that addictive substances take us outside of ourselves to avoid discomfort.  They provide instant gratification which leads to seeking more when the feeling wears off.  Psychedelics take us inward to reveal our blind spots and bring awareness to patterns and beliefs that influence how we experience life. They help us move beyond the ego to release stored emotions that contribute to our suffering. With integration, this process empowers us, eliminating the perceived 'need' for more

Below is an excerpt from “Sage Journals” regarding research studies on this topic. 

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/2050324517723232

“…the current scientific consensus is that classic psychedelic drugs do not have addictive properties (Bonson, 2012; Nutt et al., 2007). In fact, psychedelic drugs are being investigated as a potential means of treating addiction (Halpern, 1996; Sessa and Johnson, 2015). It is possible that their disorganizing effects on the brain and cognition might help dismantle the well-worn neural pathways supporting drug dependence, just as they facilitate moves away from entrenched patterns of thought and behavior.”

No. Coaching is an unlicensed field, it is not currently covered by insurance in Canada or the US.

For some of my Canadian clients this may seem like a surprise.  Why do I-a Canadian who lives in Canada-price my packages in USD?

Here’s why I charge in USD:

• Pricing in USD is the industry norm for coaching and maintains consistency for my clientele.

• Many of my clients are in the USA.

• If I were to change my pricing to Canadian Dollars, the prices would increase to reflect the currency difference. For example, a $675 package would be approximately $925-$950 CDN.

• But the main reason is that almost every online tool I personally use (email, website, marketing, etc.) I pay for in USD. This means I pay for my core business expenses in USD.

I hope that helps to clarify my reasoning!

I’m working to make sure my offerings are clearly listed as USD. If you notice a place on my site that’s not clear to you, please let me know.