About this Retreat
Inwardbound Co-Founder/ Scientific Lead Facilitator.
Dr Darragh Stewart (Phd) is the co-founder of Inwardbound. In his early twenties, Darragh reached a turning point in his life. Due to the death of his grandmother, the ending of a long-term relationship, and the immense pressure of his University studies, he had a mental breakdown. He suffered from bouts of depression, anxiety, and general dissatisfaction with how he was living his life. These problems sent him on a quest to find inner healing, truth, and a new way of being in the world.
During the rest of his twenties, he had a life-changing breakthrough both mentally and spiritually, with the aid of psychedelic medicines, breathwork, and the power of holistic healing. Having found the power of bodywork for emotional release during this time, he was awarded his VTCT diploma in Holistic massage therapy.
As a scientist, he is keen to cut through faux spirituality and is interested in bridging the gap between science and spirituality. Having had such a positive journey with Psychedelics he is now passionate about helping others who may also benefit from the emerging science of psychedelics by holding retreats and collecting scientific data. He has worked with over 100 people through their psilocybin sessions and is currently writing a paper on the effects of Psilocybin on mental health.
He has also been on trips to India immersing himself in different trauma-release modalities such as somatic bodywork, breathwork, embodiment dance practices, and yoga. He is also a keen meditator having sat at the Tushita Meditation center Dharamsala, and the S.N. Goenka Vipassana Center, Bodh Gaya.
He is also passionate about working with Men through times of struggle and change. He facilitates men's online workshops, events, and a men’s group for psychedelic integration in Ireland.
- B.A. Natural Sciences, Trinity College Dublin (2012)
- Ph.D. Plant Developmental Genetics, Trinity College Dublin (2018)
- Psychotherapy and Counselling Certificate - QQI Level 6 IICP College Dublin Ireland (2023)
- Transpersonal therapist training - Irish Centre for Shamanic and Transpersonal Studies (2018-)
- Expanded Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for Psychedelic-assisted Therapy: Trauma-focused ACT training (2022)
- Trauma incident recovery trained - TIR (pre-accredited) (2022)
- VTCT Diploma in Holistic Massage Therapy (2018)
- Co-Founder Psychedelic Brothers of Ireland (2018)
- Diploma Psychotropic plants, Centre of excellence
- Vipassana 10-day silent retreat (Bodh Gaya, India)
- Tushita 10-day silent retreat introduction to Buddhism (Dharamsala, India)
- Shamanic practitioner - Shamanism Ireland
- Shamanic Counsellor - Shamanism Ireland (2023)
If you would like to connect please send me an email to darragh@inwardbound.nl
Have a listen to Inwardbound co-founders Dr Darragh Stewart and Rob Coffey give this talk entitled "The promise and challenges of psychedelic therapy" here:
Listen to Darragh on the Psychedelic Therapy podcast :
https://open.spotify.com/episode/72JI30RmYlLAenyvP8EtnE?go=1&sp_cid=84138681-536c-4173-ae4f-a0e44f5b0009&t=1837&nd=1
Listen to Darragh On
The Happy Pear podcast: https://thehappypear.ie/episode-45-darragh-stewart/
Listen to Darragh on Life is a festival Podcast:
https://www.eamonarmstrong.com/lifeisafestival/darragh-stewart
Details of this retreat
3-Day Psilocybin Retreat
With almost 1,000 participants on our retreats over the past 6 years, Inwardbound are one of the world leaders in delivering psilocybin retreats.
Our retreat will be intimate (8-13 guests & 3-4 facilitators), group-oriented and will faithfully contain the healing process. During the retreat, we will have 1 session with psilocybin truffles, complemented by a range of activities with the intention to maximise your experience and effect lasting change in your life.
Here's what our retreat programme has in store for you:
2 Preparation Sessions: Prepare yourself for the transformative journey ahead with guided preparation sessions led by psychotherapist and experienced facilitators. Explore intention setting and self-care practices. You will also have a 1:1 consultation with a psychotherapist to assist you in preparing for the experience ahead.
1 Psilocybin Ceremony: Experience the profound healing potential of psilocybin in a safe and supportive ceremonial setting. Guided by experienced facilitators, you'll embark on a journey of inner exploration, gaining insights, and perspectives that can enhance your personal growth and healing.
2 Integration Sessions: Process and integrate your psilocybin experience with guided integration sessions and 1:1 consultation with our Psychotherapist designed to help you make sense of your insights and integrate them into your daily life. We also run monthly 1 hour long integration sessions for a small fee. You can join any month you feel you would like more advice on integrating.
Yoga & Meditation: Reconnect with your body, mind, and spirit through daily yoga practices. Cultivate inner peace as you move through gentle flows, grounding poses, and mindful meditations fostering a deeper connection with yourself and the present moment.
Breathwork: Tap into the transformative power of your breath with breathwork sessions designed to release tension stored in the body, unlock stagnant energy, and cultivate a sense of balance, relaxation and vitality.
Time in nature and to relax: Enjoy walks in the national park woodlands surrounding the retreat center and unwind in the sauna or around the fire pit in the evenings.
Group Support and Community: Join a group of open minded people who share your passion for alternatives to healing. Forge meaningful connections, share insights and experiences, and offer mutual support and encouragement as you journey together towards greater well-being and fulfilment.
Daily Schedule:
Day 1: Pick up at a central location in Amsterdam at 11.00. Private transfer is arranged to the retreat center. When you arrive at the venue there will a welcome and opening circle followed by lunch. Then an afternoon and evening of preparation, an option of a nature walk/ sauna, dinner and time to relax.
Day 2: Morning yoga and meditation/ breathwork followed by breakfast and a preparation circle. Then free time for a nature walk/ journaling and a light lunch. In the afternoon we will hold the psilocybin ceremony. That evening there will be dinner, time for reflection, followed by integration practices such as art therapy, time in nature or an option to relax around a fire in the garden room.
Day 3: Bodywork programme of yoga and meditation/ breathwork followed by an early brunch and integration with the psychotherapist/psychologist and facilitators with 1:1 support. Then closing circle and mandala creation. Depart the venue around 14.00pm. Drop off point near the central train station in Amsterdam around 3pm.
Please note: To apply for a retreat, please email Admin@Inwardbound.ie. We will arrange an exploration call with you where we can answer any questions you may have. If you feel a retreat would benefit you, you can then submit a full screening form and deposit to hold your place. A consultation call with a Psychotherapist will then be arranged to assure full suitability for our retreat.
Our retreat takes place in a beautiful venue situated an hour from Amsterdam. The authentic 19th-century Dutch abbey accommodation provides the perfect setting for your retreat. A private room for every participant and the ample common areas provide a place for you to relax, journal and maximise your stay with us. The peaceful location of the retreat centre means there is plenty of opportunity for reflection and walks in nature. The chapel is available for private reflection and meditation.
What's Included?
This is what a typical programme looks like. Every participant is different and some activities may naturally suit some participants more than others. There's plenty of time for reflection and time in nature and there's no expectation to attend every activity.
Pre Retreat:
1:1 Preparative Consultation Call with a Psychotherapist.
Group Preparation and Information Call
6 week preparation pack and videos.
The Retreat:
3x Day retreat in a beautiful location in the Netherlands.
1x Session with Psilocybin Truffles
2x Nights private accommodation or shared if requested for couples/friends
Private transfer to/from the retreat centre from Amsterdam
Small groups: 8-13 participants
Personal care: 1 Psychotherapist/Psychologist, 2-3 full-time facilitators to maximise individual care and attention
All meals: vegetarian & vegan options, organic and local (where possible) prepared by our professional chef
Yoga, meditation, breathwork sessions
Group intention setting, sharing and integration circles
Embodiment movement
Art therapy and mandala work
Ecotherapy and nature walks
Individual consultations with the Psychotherapist/Psychologist
Integration after the retreat:
1:1 Integrative Consultation Call with a Psychotherapist
Group Integration Call
Follow-up options and referrals
Integration workbooks, videos and other materials
Key Dates
1:1 Consultation with the Psychotherapist: When you register
Online Information Call: 2 weeks before the retreat
1:1 Consultation with the Psychotherapist:7-14 days after the retreat
Online Group Integration Call: 2 weeks after the retreat
Travel
Meeting point: Near the Central Amsterdam Train Station on the first day of the retreat
We provide transfer from Amsterdam to the retreat centre. If you have your own transportation, please let us know.
Dropoff point: Near the Central Amsterdam Train Station on the last day of the retreat or to the airport on request.
Attendance
Consultations and the group calls are online using Google Meets.
About the Venue
Sauna
Woodburning stove
Fire pit
Free Wifi
Booking Conditions
Deposit of €1000 is required to secure your place.
The programme fee does not include flights or other transport to the Netherlands.
For legal reasons, the cost of the truffles is not included. We will arrange for you to buy the truffles from a third party (allow €45).
Prices inclusive of VAT @ 21%
If you do not qualify for the retreat programme after a consultation with our psychotherapist, we will return your deposit minus a consultation and admin fee of 200 euro.
In the event of a cancellation due to Dutch government coronavirus regulations, we will transfer your booking to the next available retreat dates (ie we will not be offering refunds). Current Dutch government advice can be seen here
Read full Terms & Conditions.
Our coronavirus protocols can be found under the FAQ section of our website
Refund, change of date and Cancellation Policy:
The retreat is 100% refundable for a cancellation 60+ days before the retreat start date minus €200 consultation & admin fee.
The event is 50% refundable if cancelled 30-59 days before the start date.
The retreat is non-refundable if cancelled 0-29 days before the retreat start date.
To move your booking to another retreat:
50+ days before the original retreat start date, this will be free of charge.
30-49 days before the original retreat start date, there is a 30% charge
10-29 days before the original retreat start date, there is a 40% charge
0-10 days before the original retreat start date, there is a 50% charge
Why InwardBound?
At InwardBound, our interdisciplinary team of psychotherapists, PhD scientists and holistic therapists believe in weaving together the threads of science and spirituality, knowing that the two ways are one. We work in the broad tradition of Dr Stan Grof - creating a safe container for people to access the wisdom of their own inner healer.
We come from a long tradition of psilocybin use in Ireland. Our Celtic ancestors used the wild mushrooms of Northern Europe (Psilocybe Semilanceata) and worked with the patterns of nature for healing and spiritual growth and we continue that land-based ancestral tradition to create a modern context for psilocybin ceremony and reconnection with nature.
We hold small groups with 3-4 facilitators (a balance of male and female) to a maximum of 13 participants. This low ratio allows us to provide the highest possible standard of care for our participants. Private rooms are available on most retreats.
To make sure this form of healing is open to people from all socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds, we offer financial assistance. If you feel like you are a candidate, please send a 500 word application to admin@inwardbound.ie
Questions?
Please visit the InwardBound website or contact us.