Experience the Science-backed Power of Psilocybin for Mental Health
Therapeutic Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy Retreat for Healthcare Workers
January 5th - 8th, 2023 | Jamaica
Therapeutic Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy Retreat
Combining western knowledge with ancient wisdom, this 4-day retreat in Jamaica is designed to facilitate a transformative experience with psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy to serve as a catalysts for personal healing and growth, with a special emphasis on the helping professions: healthcare workers facing stress, depression and other mental health struggles. With careful attention to best practices in preparation and integration, the retreat is facilitated by licensed professionals, with years of experience in medicine, psychotherapy, and psychedelic science.
The team is dedicated to helping participants prepare for the experience, and integrate the lessons and insights from psilocybin sessions into day-to-day life. Expert support is given before and after the ceremony so substantial and lasting change can occur.
To be able to work properly with the medicine, both the body and mind must be held with care. We consider safety of working with the medicine our top priority, and we conduct thorough medical and psychological screenings of any potential participation. Preparation sessions begin before our time in together in Jamaica, and integration continues long afterwards. Group size will be no larger than 15 participants, with a high staff-to-participant ratio to provide the absolute best support to each individual.
JANUARY 5 - 8, 2023
MEET THE FACILITATORS
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Reid Robison, MD
PSYCHIATRIST
Dr. Robison is a board-certified psychiatrist and Chief Clinical Officer at Numinus. He has conducted over 200 clinical trials in neuropsychiatry, and is currently principal investigator of a number of psychedelic medicine studies, including psilocybin for depression and LSD for generalized anxiety. He previously served as coordinating investigator for the MAPS MDMA-assisted psychotherapy study for eating disorders. Dr. Robison has been facilitating retreats with ketamine-assisted psychotherapy in the US, and with plant medicines abroad. He is also adjunct faculty at the University of Utah and Brigham Young University. Dr. Robison is an active social entrepreneur and founder of a number of non-profit organizations including the Polizzi Free Clinic and the Psychedelic Institute.
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Steve Thayer, PhD
CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGIST
Dr. Thayer is a licensed clinical psychologist with extensive experience with psychedelic-assisted therapies. He began his psychology career in the U.S. Air Force where he led mental health care teams, provided therapeutic and assessment services, and counseled military leadership about community mental health concerns. Currently, Dr. Thayer leads practitioner training at Numinus clinics by providing clinical supervision & education of therapists in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies. Additionally, Dr. Thayer has served as lead facilitator on numerous psychedelic clinical trials and provides thought leadership as an educator, advocate, and podcast host. Dr. Thayer is passionate about helping people help themselves through the help of psychedelic medicines.
A SPECIAL EMPHASIS OF THIS RETREAT
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Mental health concerns among health workers & healers include stress, burnout, depression, anxiety, substance use disorders, and suicidal behavior. These mental health concerns are not new.
Even before the pandemic, health workers faced challenging work conditions and suffered high rates of poor mental health outcomes. For example, 79% of physicians reported burnout starting before the pandemic.
22% of healthcare workers experienced moderate depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder in a collective analysis of 65 studies. 69% of physicians reported experiencing depression and 13% had thoughts of suicide. Of physicians reporting burnout, 64% were women.
Nurses, frontline, and younger workers reported more severe psychological symptoms than other health worker
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The challenging work environment puts over 20 million U.S. health workers at risk for mental health problems. Health workers include everyone working in patient care, such as nurses, physicians, home health aides, and medical assistants, and many others who serve in critical support roles.
They work long hours, often rotating or irregular shifts, that involve intense physical and emotional labor. On a daily basis, health care professional are exposed to human suffering and death. They also face increased risk of exposure to disease and violence.
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Mental health-related stigma permeates the healthcare sector as a workplace. It has been described as a problem of culture, where staff are often discouraged to talk openly or seek help for psychological problems.
Research with healthcare providers in Canada indicates that the level of stigma regarding their own willingness to disclose and/or seek help for a mental illness is consistently higher than their level of stigma for other dimensions such as negative attitudes and preference for social distance.
This stigmatization often impacts health professionals’ willingness to seek help or disclose a mental health problem, which can result in an over-reliance on self-treatment, low peer support, feelings of isolation, and increased risk of suicide.
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Most health care professionals are trained to put patients first. Personal care isn’t always prioritized, whether because they fear judgment from others or feel selfish at the thought of attending their own needs.
However, finding balance and refilling your emotional tank is essential to coping with the obligations and demands of a busy profession, and life in general. By gaining a better sense of balance, individuals working in the health care industry can find better health, well-being, and satisfaction with both their career and life as a whole.