Up to 4 in group
November 28 - December 1, 2024
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
4-Day Semi Private Psychedelic 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 (3-5 guests who do not know each other) and 2 Psychedelic Assisted Facilitators (1 male, 1 female). During the 4-day retreat, there will be 2 psilocybin ceremonies, complemented by a range of activities designed to maximise your experience with the aim to effect positive change in your life.
Our semi private programme is for 4 days. You will be supervised by our highly trained psychedelic facilitators who will guide you through a preparation and integration programme so you are fully supported before and after the retreat.
There will be a private room for every participant.
Here's what our retreat programme has in store for you:
Preparation Sessions: Prepare yourself for the transformative journey ahead with guided preparation sessions led by our Psychotherapist and experienced facilitators. Explore intention setting, safety protocols, and self-care practices. You will also have a 1:1 consultation with a psychotherapist to assist you in preparing for the experience ahead.
2 Psilocybin Ceremonies: 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.
Integration Sessions: Process and integrate your psilocybin experience with guided integration sessions and 1:1 consultation with the Psychotherapist designed to help you make sense of your insights and integrate them into your daily life.
Yoga & Meditation: Reconnect with your body, mind, and spirit through daily yoga practices. Cultivate strength, flexibility, and inner peace as you move through gentle flows, grounding poses, and mindful meditation, 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 and vitality.
Time in nature and to relax: Enjoy walks in nature or around the cosy fire in the evenings.
Community Support: Join a community 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 in the evening. Private transfer is arranged to the venue. When you arrive there will be an evening of preparation, dinner, opening circle and early night.
Day 2 & Day 3: Morning yoga, meditation/ breathwork followed by breakfast. Option for a walk in nature. Opening circle and preparation. Afternoon Psilocybin ceremony. Evening of reflection with support of the psychotherapist and facilitator followed by dinner. Evening of integration practices such as art therapy or time in nature or relax by the fire.
Day 4: Bodywork programme of yoga/qi gong/meditation/ breathwork followed by breakfast. Closing circle and mandala creation. Depart the venue around midday. Drop off point at the airport/ city center/ hotel.
At Inwardbound, our interdisciplinary team of psychotherapists, PhD scientists and holistic therapists believes 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.
Dates are not fully confirmed until approved after a screening call and a consultation with the Psychotherapist. Please only make travel plans then.
Our private program includes:
Pre-departure:
1x exploration call
Full screening
1x preparative consultation with one of our Psychotherapists
Preparation workbook and videos
On retreat:
4 days in a private venue surrounded by nature.
2 sessions with Psilocybin Truffles (stepped dose)
2 trained facilitators for the duration.
Private transfer from city center/ airport to and from the venue.
All meals: vegetarian/vegan, organic and local (where possible).
Tailored movement practices/yoga/embodiment techniques.
Tailored breathwork techniques (e.g. pranayama/Wim Hof/ conscious connect breath/ circular breathing).
Art and mandala work.
Nature walks/ sauna (depending on the venue).
Integration after the retreat:
1:1 Integrative consultation with our Psychotherapist
Follow-up options and referrals
Integration workbook
Lifetime access to community
Venue
We operate a pool of retreat venues in beautiful locations in rural Netherlands based on availability. Our venues have private rooms and may offer a sauna, jacuzzi/hot tub and forest walks.
Booking Conditions
Deposit of €1,500 euro 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 €75 per person).
If you do not qualify for the retreat programme after a consultation with our psychotherapist, we will return your deposit minus the Therapist's consultation and admin fee of €250.
Our coronavirus protocols can be found under the FAQ section of our website.
REFUND & CANCELLATION POLICY
The retreat is 100% refundable for cancellation 60+ days before the event start date. 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 event start date.
Read full Terms & Conditions.
Questions?
Email: Admin@inwardbound.ie
Please visit the InwardBound website or contact us.
Costa Rica
From January 2025, we are also offering private retreats in Costa Rica. Email rob@inwardbound.ie for full details.
Group retreat
If the private retreat is not an option we recommend checking out our group retreat options here
Private retreat FAQ
1. Where do you meet on the first day of the retreat?
We arrange pick up from the center of Amsterdam/your hotel/Schiphol airport.
2. When does the final payment need to be in by?
Final payment needs to be sent 1 month before the retreat start date. Prices are per person.
3. Where is the venue?
We operate from a pool of venues about 1-2 hours from the center of Amsterdam depending on your requirements.
4. Can I book extra preparation or integration sessions?
Yes, these can be added when you are applying or after you have applied.
5. What are the doses of truffles used?
The first psilocybin session is a light/medium-high dose. The second is a higher dose however you can discuss your preferred dosage with the Psychotherapist.
6. How long are the psilocybin sessions?
Approximately 4-6 hours
7. Do I have to do 2 doses?
We offer the two doses as standard for our 4 day retreat. It is up to the participant if they want to do both doses. We allow plenty of time for discussion so you can feel what is right for you. You can also book a 3 day retreat where there is one psilocybin session.
8. What dates can I book?
We have a range of availability. Please let us know the dates you have in mind and we can try our best to accommodate you.
9. What is better, a private retreat or the group retreat?
This depends on your circumstances. The private retreat is bespoke and tailored to your needs. You have the full attention, care, and presence of 2 facilitators. The private retreat gives you full privacy, space, and time to reflect and connect to yourself. A private retreat is unique to you and anyone you book in with.
The group retreat can be a beautiful experience connecting with other like-minded people who are on a similar journey to you. Great connections can form with sharing of insights, wisdom, and knowledge.
10. Do I need to take work off after the retreat?
It is not essential but we do suggest taking off as much time as you can, to allow you to reflect and integrate after the retreat.
11. How many facilitators are there?
We usually have 1 male and 1 female facilitator so there is the balance of masculine and feminine energy, however you can discuss your preferred choice when booking.
12. Are the retreats private?
We are used to working with clients who value their privacy. Privacy and discretion is assured.
13. I am am female client and would like two female facilitators, is this an option?
Yes, of course. We can tailor our retreats as required.