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Public Benefit Corporation

Are your clients asking about psychedelics? Here's some context.

Psilocybin is generating significant clinical interest. Nearly 150 clinical trials, spanning more than 50 potential indications, are currently underway worldwide, and your clients may be exploring retreat options. The intent of this resource is to support informed conversations - grounded in neuroscience and clinical evidence.

Beckley Retreats is one of the few fully legal, science-backed psilocybin retreat providers operating today - built on 25+ years of research from the Beckley Foundation. We offer full-scholarships to therapists on a limited basis and other scholarships up to $2,000.

Experience Beckley Retreats

Neuroscience

What psilocybin does in the brain - and why it matters clinically

Brain connectivity on placebo vs. psilocybin

Brain functional connectivity on placebo (left) vs. psilocybin (right). Beckley Foundation / Imperial College London.

Psilocybin is converted to psilocin after ingestion, which binds to serotonin 5-HT2A receptors and produces downstream changes in brain network activity (Madsen et al., 2019). Three mechanisms are particularly relevant for clinicians:

Default Mode Network Suppression

The DMN is the brain network most associated with self-referential thinking, rumination, and the maintenance of rigid cognitive patterns. In depression and anxiety, the DMN becomes overactive, locking the brain into repetitive negative thought cycles that resist cognitive intervention. Psilocybin temporarily suppresses DMN activity, disrupting these patterns and increasing communication between brain regions that do not typically interact.

Carhart-Harris et al., 2013; Daws et al., 2022

Neuroplasticity

Psilocybin stimulates the release of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) and promotes rapid dendritic spine growth in the prefrontal cortex. In preclinical research, a single dose produced measurable increases in the size and density of neuronal connections. This neuroplastic window, lasting days to weeks, represents a period of heightened capacity for behavioral and cognitive change.

Shao et al., 2021

Global Brain Integration

Brain imaging from the Beckley Foundation / Imperial College London research program shows significantly increased functional connectivity under psilocybin, with thousands of new cross-network connections forming that are not present under placebo. This state is associated with increased psychological flexibility, emotional processing, and the capacity for insight.

Petri et al., 2014

Clinical implication: Clients may return from a psilocybin experience with access to new emotional, psychological, and somatic material that can reinvigorate the therapeutic process. The neuroplastic window following the experience is when therapeutic support can really help the process of transformation in the client's life.

References

Madsen, M.K., Fisher, P.M., Burmester, D. et al. "Psychedelic effects of psilocybin correlate with serotonin 2A receptor occupancy and plasma psilocin levels." Neuropsychopharmacology 44, 1328–1334 (2019). Nature · PubMed
Carhart-Harris, R.L., Leech, R., Erritzoe, D. et al. "Functional connectivity measures after psilocybin inform a novel hypothesis of early psychosis." Schizophrenia Bulletin 39(6), 1343–1351 (2013). PMC · PubMed
Daws, R.E., Timmermann, C., Giribaldi, B. et al. "Increased global integration in the brain after psilocybin therapy for depression." Nature Medicine 28, 844–851 (2022). Nature Medicine · PubMed
Shao, L.X., Liao, C., Greber, I. et al. "Psilocybin induces rapid and persistent growth of dendritic spines in frontal cortex in vivo." Neuron 109(16), 2535–2544 (2021). PMC · ScienceDirect
Petri, G., Expert, P., Turkheimer, F. et al. "Homological scaffolds of brain functional networks." Journal of the Royal Society Interface 11(101), 20140873 (2014). PMC · PubMed

Research cited in this content describes findings from independent studies and clinical trials, none of which describe Beckley Retreats' program. Findings reported in published research do not constitute claims by Beckley Retreats about its program, and Beckley Retreats does not represent that any individual will experience the outcomes described in the cited research.

Clinical Context

Why some clients access new material through psilocybin

The mechanisms described above, DMN suppression, increased neuroplasticity, and cross-network integration, help explain a pattern clinicians are increasingly observing: clients are returning from structured psilocybin experiences with access to new emotional and somatic material and a different perspective of themselves.

The experience is embodied

Psilocybin temporarily reduces the brain's reliance on top-down cognitive processing. Participants frequently report accessing emotions, sensations, and memories in a way that may bypass intellectual defenses. For therapists, this is important context: your client may return with a fundamentally different relationship to their body, their feelings, their emotions, and their relational and behavioral patterns - even if they cannot yet articulate it verbally.

Rigid patterns can shift when the DMN quiets

Repetitive negative thinking is a transdiagnostic feature of depression, anxiety, OCD, and PTSD. When psilocybin suppresses DMN activity, the self-reinforcing thought loops that maintain these patterns are temporarily interrupted. Clients often describe this as a felt sense of "unsticking." There is a greater freedom to approach these patterns in a new, more skillful way.

The neuroplastic window is where therapy can be very important

The days and weeks following a psilocybin experience represent a period of elevated neuroplasticity. The brain is more receptive to forming new patterns and connections. This is when the therapeutic process can be very supportive for integrating the experience, which means supporting the client to weave the insights and inspiration from the retreat into their being.

Integration is measured in months, not sessions

Some clients integrate rapidly. Others find that the full significance of their experience unfolds over months or even years. This is consistent with the neuroscience. Structural and functional brain changes following psilocybin are not instantaneous behavioral rewrites. The therapist's role in holding that long arc, giving space for the process to ripen and unfold, and providing continuity of support is central to the outcome of personal growth.

How We Work Together

How Psilocybin works alongside therapy

Many therapists worry that psychedelic retreats may sideline their work or disrupt their relationship with clients. We understand that concern, but it's important to note that Beckley Retreats is supporting an exploration of self, which is an experience. The role of therapy is to support the process of after the experience.

Beckley Retreats is not offering a psychotherapeutic or medical intervention. We do not provide diagnoses, treatment plans, or ongoing clinical care. What we offer is a structured, legal, and safe psilocybin experience that can potentially open new avenues for your clients - avenues that you are best positioned to help them navigate.

Our question to every therapist is simple: how can we support the therapeutic work you are already doing?

About Beckley Retreats

Beckley Retreats is part of the Beckley ecosystem, rooted in the pioneering work of the Beckley Foundation. Founded in 1998 by Amanda Feilding, the Beckley Foundation spent more than 25 years at the forefront of scientific research into psychedelics and global drug-policy reform, convening researchers, publishing influential studies, and helping lay the groundwork for the modern psychedelic renaissance. That legacy of rigor and care is the foundation on which Beckley Retreats was built.

As psilocybin draws more interest, the landscape your clients encounter is uneven. Much of it operates underground - informally, without legal standing, medical oversight, or accountability. Beckley Retreats is deliberately built the other way. We run fully legal, above-ground retreat programs in Jamaica and the Netherlands, with suitability screening, experienced facilitation, and safeguards, making us one of the few legitimate, science-backed retreat options available.

We carry that commitment forward through active partnerships with Harvard and Yale. Our Head of Research, Dr. AZA Stephen Allsop, leads a lab at Yale University, and Dr. Karestan Koenen of the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health serves as an advisor to our team. Together, these partnerships ensure our retreat programs are grounded in rigorous, measurable science - anchored in real data and the highest standards of safety, so every guest's experience is informed by the best of what science currently understands.

The Program

Our Programs are Backed by 25+ Years of Research

Many retreat programs end when you leave. Ours is built around a program geared towards personal growth, which means engagement with a process over time.

Before the retreat

Prepare

4 weeks, digital

Group Zoom sessions to create a container of psychological and emotional safety; one-on-one support to provide individual preparation guidance; guided processes; and educational resources delivered via our app.

During the Retreat

Immerse

4 to 5 days, on-site

2 guided psilocybin sessions with live music and a 1:3 facilitator to participant ratio. Breathwork, meditation, movement, and integration sessions to support grounding insight and self-regulation. Chef-prepared nutritional meals to nourish your body.

After the Retreat

Integration

4 to 6 weeks, digital

Group sessions, daily practices, and science-backed tools to support your personal growth. Ongoing connection with your retreat group via online sessions and WhatsApp group.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the process of discerning if someone is suitable (what is the "screening" provision)?

Our application process includes a suitability screening. Our screening team carefully reviews each application. This is not a diagnostic tool. It is designed to identify certain conditions that may make participation inadvisable. We also use the screening to ensure the retreat is the right fit for the participant's presentation and objectives. For some individuals, we are simply unable to approve applications based on what the screening reveals.

Who is this retreat suitable for?

Prior guests have sought our programs in moments when they are seeking personal change, deeper self-connection, exploration of their relationships, or an exploration of consciousness and spirituality.

What does the retreat experience actually offer? What is the program structure, what does the structure of a day look like?

Our program spans approximately 11 weeks across four phases:

- Preparation (4 weeks, digital): Group sessions by Zoom, a 1:1 preparation call, guided preparation in our app, intention-setting, psychoeducation, and optional supplementary 1:1 coaching.

- Immerse (4–5 days, on-site in Jamaica or the Netherlands): 2 guided psilocybin ceremonies, meditation, breathwork, mindful movement, group integration circles, and nature immersion, encouraging a digital detox. All gourmet meals are included, along with private airport transfers and access to yoga, meditation, and breathwork classes.

- Integration (4–6 weeks, digital): 4 facilitated group sessions, research-informed tools in our app, short daily practices, and optional 1:1 coaching.

- Grow (ongoing): Monthly alumni calls, community gatherings, facilitator-led circles, and live events.

How many people are on a retreat and how many facilitators to participants are there?

There is a minimum of one facilitator for every three participants on all retreats. This ratio ensures direct, personalized support during and beyond the psilocybin ceremonies. Our retreat centers accommodate the group as the sole occupants of the property (or the retreat side of the property in the Netherlands), ensuring privacy and containment. As for guests, we accept up to 18 participants per retreat.

Is there medical assistance if required? What happens if someone has an allergic reaction? Is anyone there qualified to work with a psychotic episode?

Every retreat is staffed by experienced facilitators who are trained to guide participants through their experience as safely as possible. In the event that medical assistance is required: In Jamaica, an on-site nurse is present during the experience, and we have access to a locally-licensed, 24/7 on-call doctor as well as urgent care facilities and hospitals within a 30–60 minute drive. In the Netherlands, 24/7 emergency medical care and facilities are accessible within 45 minutes.

Beckley Retreats has a thorough screening process designed to assess whether our program is a suitable match for each individual. Past participants have reported that psilocybin can cause significant changes in perception and thought, and for individuals with certain psychiatric histories, psychoactive compounds may carry elevated risks.

Our screening process is specifically designed to identify these risk factors so that we can make an informed, collaborative determination about whether a Beckley Retreat is appropriate for you at this time. While no screening process can eliminate all risk, we are committed to doing our due diligence to ensure that the individuals who join our programs are well-suited to what we offer. Not everyone who applies will be approved, and in some cases we may recommend alternative forms of support. Our facilitators are highly experienced in supporting participants through a wide range of emotional processes, and participant safety is our highest priority. We also screen our participants who have mushroom or fungi allergies. We also have an AED on site.

How can I support my clients in preparation?

Help your client arrive with intention and gumption. We recommend exploring:

- Intentions and expectations. What does the client hope to gain from the experience? What concerns or fears are present?

- Current therapeutic themes. What themes are most at the surface as the retreat approaches?

- Emotional regulation. How does the client typically respond to intense affect? What supportive strategies and resources do they have for self-regulation?

- Relationship to control. Psilocybin frequently involves experiences of psychological surrender. How does the client relate to entering the unknown? How are they with the idea of surrendering control?

- Somatic awareness. The experience is strongly embodied. Clients with limited interoceptive awareness benefit from basic grounding practices beforehand e.g. body scans.

How do you prepare people for the retreat?

Preparation unfolds over four weeks before arrival. Participants attend group Zoom sessions, have a 1:1 preparation call with our team, and work through guided preparation content and resources in our app - including intention-setting exercises and psychoeducation about what to expect. Optional supplementary 1:1 coaching is available. We also encourage participants who are working with a therapist to explore specific themes in their sessions during this period.

What is the quality of the holding? What is the experience/ training/ qualifications of the facilitators?

Our facilitators bring a wide range of backgrounds to their work at Beckley, including experience in somatic practices, contemplative traditions, coaching, and expressive and relational modalities. What unites them is extensive experience being present with people in profound and sometimes challenging inner experiences. The quality of that presence - attentive, grounded, and non-directive - is what allows participants to feel safe enough to surrender to whatever arises.

How do you hold this experience vs. one in a clinical setting?

The ceremonial use of psilocybin predates recorded history. Our team of facilitators honors a variety of traditions and lineages passed down from their own teachers. We use this container rather than a clinical one because the psilocybin experience is not only neurological - it is deeply embodied, emotional, and often spiritual. A ceremonial setting with music, nature, intentional group dynamics, and experienced facilitation creates conditions that support the full range of what can emerge. Our approach weaves the wisdom of these traditions with the understanding of western psychology and psychotherapy, alongside modern neuroscience.

How can I support my clients with integration?

You can help clients ground themselves and unpack the experience, how they understood it then and how they relate to it now, while staying attentive to insights that may surface gradually over time. As they return to everyday life, your role is to help them meet the challenges that arise, bring awareness to their patterns, and support them in making new choices about how to respond in a given situation. Encouraging creativity or movement practices can further support their wellbeing, and ongoing check-ins help maintain momentum and keep them on track with their goals.

Is there integration support afterwards? What is the focus of integration support, how is it done?

Yes. Our integration program spans 4–6 weeks following the retreat and includes weekly facilitated group sessions, research-informed tools and practices in our app, short daily practices, and optional supplementary 1:1 coaching. The focus is on helping participants process their experience, consolidate insights, and translate them into practical changes in their daily lives. Beyond the formal integration period, our Grow phase provides ongoing support through monthly alumni calls, community gatherings, facilitator-led integration circles, and live events. We also strongly encourage participants to continue working with their therapist throughout and after the integration period. The therapeutic relationship is the most important container for long-term integration work.

Experience this work firsthand

The outcome of any psychedelic experience depends heavily on the support surrounding it - how someone is prepared and how they're helped to integrate afterward. That makes you, the therapist, central to whether this work serves your clients well. We believe clinicians guide that process best when they have a direct reference point of their own.

That's why we invite licensed mental health professionals to attend a full Beckley Retreats program in Jamaica or the Netherlands as professional development - the same structured preparation, immersion experience, and integration your clients would receive.

Since this is important for the field and we're a Public Benefit Corporation, our goal is to make it as accessible as possible for you: we offer full scholarships to therapists on a limited basis and other scholarships up to $2,000 to join our program.

Going deeper: the practicum
For those who want to understand the work from the facilitator's side, we also offer a small practicum - observing sessions, supporting integration circles, and receiving mentoring from our team, without consuming psilocybin. Spots are limited; our team will share details with interested applicants.

Apply to join us

Exclusive opportunity for licensed mental health professionals

As a Public Benefit Corporation, we offer full scholarships to therapists on a limited basis and other scholarships up to $2,000 to join our program.

In Their Words

What others in your field are saying

Individual guest experiences vary. Statements shared by Beckley Retreats alumni reflect their personal experiences and are not representations or claims by Beckley Retreats about the outcomes of its program. Beckley Retreats does not offer medical or mental health treatment.

"As a public health doctor with decades of global experience, I was deeply impressed by Beckley’s immersive, hands-on approach and their multidisciplinary team who mentored with warmth and wisdom. Their rare blend of deep wisdom, ethical integrity, and heartfelt connection laid an unforgettable foundation for my path as I deepened my path as a facilitator."

Carlos Navarro

PhD, MD

"Being immersed in Beckley’s retreat environment offered a rare blend of humility, attentiveness, and authentic human connection. It was a meaningful step in my development, guided by a team whose quiet strength and deep care left a lasting imprint."

Linda Vazin

Holistic, Somatic Coach

“The Beckley Retreats practicum was the perfect culmination of my psychedelic practitioner training - rooted in science, tradition, and profound wisdom. What stayed with me most was the team’s extraordinary presence, which radiated trust, safety, and deep humanity.””

2024 Practicum Participant

“This retreat was so profound and I am so grateful for the care and the intention with which the facilitators supported us. We showed up as strangers, but we felt as family members.”

Candace Oglesby-Adepoju

Therapist & Integration Specialist

"A few days after returning home I find myself back with my therapist again. I decide to read him an extract from my retreat journal and am transported back to my experience of my first trip again. When I finish I notice him wiping tears from his eyes. We're barely halfway through the session and, rather than feeling trapped behind a protective layer of ice, all I feel is warm."

Ben Ockrent

Ben Ockrent, Therapist, MBACP, Therapy Today Article

An exclusive opportunity for licensed mental health professionals

As a public benefit corporation, We offer full scholarships to therapists on a limited basis and other scholarships up to $2,000 to attend a Beckley Retreat.

Beckley Retreats is a wellness program provider. Beckley Retreats is not a healthcare provider, does not provide medical services, and does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Information shared by Beckley Retreats is educational and informational in nature and is not a substitute for medical or mental health care. Please consult your healthcare provider regarding any medical or psychological condition.