Find Authentic Retreats in Ericeira Portugal

"The retreat was very well organised. The hosts are very knowledgeable, their skills complement each other’s and they have great energy. I felt safe and in very good hands. The location in Sintra couldn’t have been better."

"I accompanied my sister for her first journey, and for that I wanted to find a place where she could feel completely safe and supported. Sanctum was a perfect place for that, Graham and Maria are grounded, reassuring and generous. When my sister did not manage to breakthrough in her journey, they did not hesitate to give her an additional dose (after 2h into the trip), even though this would significantly lengthen the duration of her experience. I work in the psychedelic field and I can say that Sanctum exceeded my expectations. I recommend this place for people who want a safe initiation to psychedelics, and also for experienced users who want to journey in great conditions. Although they are not themselves therapists, they work with an integration therapist, and can therefore also provide sessions for people suffering from mental health conditions. I also really appreciated the reasonable cost they charge, compared to other places. We also rented the flat they make available for their participants. It's very nice and spacious, and conveniently located close to the tramway station."

"I did a session at Sanctum and it was a great experience. From start to finish the team at Sanctum made me feel at ease, and guided me through the process in a very knowledgeable way. They are experienced practitioners and I felt safe, allowing me to enjoy the process."

"Lovely experience!"

"I’m so happy and grateful that I got to visit sanctum Spain. The villa was huge yet cosy and had an amazing view of the mountains. Booking the retreat was straightforward and Graham was very kind and patient, even allowing me to reschedule my booking at the last minute. He was even nicer in person and was the best trip sitter. Maria was just as lovely and gave me the best head/neck massage just before I took the medicine. I was so nervous on the day but I think the warm energy of the villa and Graham’s presence helped me calm down and really surrender to the journey. I felt so looked after at sanctum. It’s been a few weeks and I still struggle to put my experience with the medicine into words but it was honestly life changing. I healed a lot of my pain/depression and had many realisations. Everyone has noticed a positive change in me and although my life is still the same, everything feels easier to deal with and I just generally feel more positive and peaceful. The journey really elevated my consciousness and opened my eyes to the beauty of this life. There’s so much more I could say but I’d recommend anyone who’s thinking of booking to go ahead and do it! You won’t regret it 🙏🏽 "

"I feel gratitude towards Maria because she made me feel nurtured and safe during my first encounter with psilocybin. Maria is a very emphatetic massage therapist who respected my requests and gave all her passion to make my experience a remarcable one. She and her partner Graham built a very professional team with not only a deep knowledge about psychedelics but with the motivation to keep learning and enhancing their knowledge."

"Thank you Maria for your kind support, wether it be during the preparation, the massage and the talk on integration phase. I really appreciated your kindness too that was a real asset for me during that experience. I felt supported and listened to. You rock :)"

"Graham led me into the experience with a lots of kindness and discretion. He was here for me when necessary and did not interfere when it was unnecessary. I felt totally confident to go through this very special experience with him. I could speak of anything and everything with him and always got his full attention and comprehension. Thanks Graham"

"Graham and Maria are full of kindness from the very beginning to the end. I felt totally confident to spend this very special day with them. They were entirely dedicated to me during the process wether it be before, during and after the experience. The place is beautiful and totally appropriate with a spendid view over the valley. I thank them very much for their time and wish others can beneficiate from their warmth and professionalism. "

"I am very glad that I met Graham and had the possibility to do my first encounter with psilocybin under his guidance. His sensitive and quiet personality were a huge support during my experience. I felt safe and in good hands during the whole venue. He and his partner Maria build a very professional team with not only a deep understanding of psychedelics but with the motivation to keep learning and enhancing their knowledge. "

"I am very glad for having had my first psilocybin experience at Sanctum. I am not only talking about the warm and supportive way Maria and Graham do their job, I also mean the professional way they provided the related information before the venue and on the day of the session and the health questions asked ahead. The retreat is well organised and runs as decribed on the ernollment (=you get what you book). All this made me feel very safe. The setting is beautiful. The previous massage and the guided meditation give the client the possibility to reach a spiritual state before the psilocybin begins to work. On the top of this, a carefully curated music list enhances the whole experience. Highly recommended. "

"I imagine you are like me, vulnerable, trying to be open in finding rest, safety, truth, connecrion, connection, life. Sanctum is not a bad place to start. A truly beautiful setting, which if given some time outside on arrival to take in the view, perhaps would help settle a client more. The villa is gorgeous inside too. But you're lying down with senses shut off in the end. So what you need is warmth and comfort to relax. Take what you need to have that. Graham and Maria are safe. Patient. Interested. Genuine. But the psilocybin journey is your own at the end of the day. You're on your own with it. A thoughtful, post session report was unexpected, gladly received and helpful. A bit more guidance and conact with integration in the days immediately afterwards would improve the experience. Make it more complete. Recomendable as a first tme experience. "

"I visited Graham and Maria at sanctum, I had a wonderful experience, they are both very calm and friendly, I was fully guided before the experience and felt very comfortable. I also feel a lot of improvement in myself after the treatment. Thank you guys, hope to see u soon"

"The experience with Graham and Maria was amazing - i cannot recommend them enough . As I had never tried psilocybin before I was slightly nervous a few days before arriving at Sanctum. Graham gave me a call beforehand, explained everything in detail and eased all my worries. Once there, both Graham and Maria were extremely comforting, committed to making me feel at ease before, throughout and after the trip. The room felt safe and warm and very positive and Graham was a comforting presence throughout the experience. The insights i gained into my anxiety, although difficult at times, were transformative. Graham was supportive and compassionate, listened throughout and offered guidance when i needed to talk about them. I haven't had any panic attacks since, and my outlook has radically changed, feeling a lot calmer and peaceful. I am very thankful to both Graham and Maria for assisting me in this journey. They're lovely and the care with which they organise the whole experience really makes a difference"

"Before I meet Graham I was really nervous about the session, but he and his wife really took care of me and made me feel really safe. The place is at an awesome location with an amazing view and the house is really clean and well decorated. They proceed with an introduction of what was going to happen to prepare and inform me about everything, made me a neck and head massage, we meditated together and then brought me the cup to drink with the psylocibin mushroom, ginger and lemon. Before the effect took place I was already in a great mood, and then i started to feel it, from which i have had a lot of insights and positive emotions, all of wich with them having controlling everything. They really took care of me, giving me blankets, socks, water, and everything I needed for the experience. Also the music was perfect, it was incredible during my experience and I think helped me. Afterwards they took care I was fine and everything before leaving. I would absolutely return to them to have this kind of experience. Thank you again! "

"Graham and Maria offered an incredibly supportive and well-organized session at their beautiful home in the hills outside Alicante. This was my first such experience and it was entirely positive from start to finish. Thank you for helping me take my first big step into this world and shining some needed light on my subconscious!"

"First, I must say how much of a wonderful and insightful experience I gained with Sanctum. I came to this retreat with some trepidation, having never experienced a psilocybin retreat, never mind one I had only read about online!! My worries were soon dispelled as soon as I met Graham, a kind and gentle man, who is ever the professional. His partner María was wonderful also, offering a nurturing and Mothering presence throughout. The villa in which this experience takes place is marvellous, with the experience room peaceful and deeply relaxing. Both Graham and María set the scene perfectly, and are very attentive to your experience. I was able to dive into the experience and gain some wonderful insights, and I just hope this review can nudge anyone who wants to try this, though is nervous, as I am so glad I was able to go past my initial nerves, to experience what was a truly beautiful experience, in the perfect hilltop setting. I will definitely return and cannot wait to go back to a place that feels like going “home”."

"I had my first psilocybin experience with Graham and Maria a couple of weeks ago. I was very well looked after before, during and after the psilocybin was administered. The psilocybin gave me insights into my depression that I wasn't previously aware of, and I felt a lot calmer afterwards. I will probably be making a return trip to Sanctum Spain in early 2022 (Covid permitting.) "

"Una experiencia única! María es una persona con una energía maternal que te hace sentir segura y acogida, Graham es un perfeccionista y desea que todo esté al 100% para que la persona se sienta lo más a gusto posible. Ambos hacen un gran equipo y en todo momento me hicieron sentir segura y acompañada. Te recogen en el punto de encuentro y te llevan a la villa que está en la montaña en un enclave hermoso con unas vistas espectaculares. Te explican muy bien cada paso antes de empezar. La sesión se hace en una habitación relajante y acogedora. Fue una experiencia demasiado hermosa y para terminar una ducha relajante y un té con vistas a la montaña para cerrar con broche de oro una de las experiencias más significativas de mi vida. Muy recomendado! "

"A wonderful experience with caring and attentive hosts. Set in a private house, in a well designed room, it was already conducive to relaxation. But the hosts were able to create an environment where you felt safe, accepted and supported. My 'experience' was very emotional and I felt I was free to openly express those emotions (or not, whatever I wanted). I'm very happy I did this. I think it's a potentially first great step to overcome my issues. And I encourage anyone who's hesitating, to make that first step with Graham."

"Graham and Maria were attentive and warm. I felt safe throughout the experience."

"My experience with Sanctum under the guidance of Graham and Maria, was very positive and for an introduction to this type of therapy, more than I could have asked for. Set and setting were mastered, and every step of my journey was thoughtful and cared for. I felt safe, able to relax and 'let my guard down' so to speak. The seaside town of El Campello itself is also a great place to slow down and take time both leading up to, and following up with the treatment. I highly recommend Sanctum's guided therapy session and am very thankful for Graham and Maria making this a remarkable life event for me."

"Nice hosts, comfortable environment, I would recommend to anyone who is thinking about trying."

" I would without any hesitation recommend Sanctum to anyone who is curious about psychedelics and their therapeutic benefits. Although I have no underlying mental health condition I was intrigued by what insights I could gain through psilocybin. I commend Graham for creating the perfect environment which immediately puts you at ease. I also highly recommend utilising a trained therapist such as Wouter who was fantastic in guiding me through my session. I thank Graham for this wonderful experience and meticulous preparation by fully taking into account ‘set and setting’. "

"Never having had a psilocybin experience like this I was quite anxious going into it, beforehand. However, Graham and Mariah created an atmosphere that made me feel welcome and safe decreasing my anxiety immensely. They are very welcoming and professional. After talking for a bit about the psilocybin, its effects and my intentions going into it, I was offered a head massage by Mariah which had a really calming effect. Shortly after I had a guided meditation with Graham in which I was to focus on my intentions. I felt very safe during my experience, with either Mariah or Graham present at any time. During and after my trip it was very pleasant that I was able to talk to them about what I saw and felt. I was able to bounce of ideas and come to insights about myself which I would not have been able to come up on my own. While I was coming off the trip and, even now still, I felt very serene and in peace with myself. Afterwards we talked for a bit and both Mariah and Graham made sure I was feeling safe enough to leave. All in all, the experience in combination with the conversations we had were very enriching and beneficial for my mental well being. I'm glad I made the decision to do this and am very grateful to Graham and Mariah to provide this opportunity for people like me."

"Truly an illuminating experience. Prior to arriving in El Campello, I had the pleasure of reading Michael Pollan’s; ‘how to change your mind’, which provided me with a greater understanding of how psychedelics work, whilst also challenging any negative preconceptions surrounding the drug. Before going into the session I had the feeling that the retreat would be conducted in a somewhat strict manner. Yet, these fears were soon alleviated by Graham’s warm nature (and his two lovely cats). The ceremony started with a 45-minute meditation session with Graham, in which the mind is put at ease; acclimatising the body in preparation for what lies ahead. It also perfectly adheres to the set and setting concept which is discussed in detail in Pollan’s book. In terms of its therapeutic capabilities, the experience with psilocybin provided a clear vision while also helping to develop further insight into navigating some personal struggles. By far the most pleasing part of the experience for me was seeing first-hand how passionate Graham is surrounding psychedelic-led therapy and his willingness to help those who are suffering."

"Truly an illuminating experience. Prior to arriving in El Campello, I had the pleasure of reading Michael Pollan’s; ‘how to change your mind’, which provided me with a greater understanding of how psychedelics work, whilst also challenging any negative preconceptions surrounding the drug. Before going into the session I had the feeling that the retreat would be conducted in a somewhat strict manner. Yet, these fears were soon alleviated by Graham’s warm nature (and his two lovely cats). The ceremony started with a 45-minute meditation session with Graham, in which the mind is put at ease; acclimatising the body in preparation for what lies ahead. It also perfectly adheres to the set and setting concept which is discussed in detail in Pollan’s book. In terms of its therapeutic capabilities, the experience with psilocybin provided a clear vision while also helping to develop further insight into navigating some personal struggles. By far the most pleasing part of the experience for me was seeing first-hand how passionate Graham is surrounding psychedelic-led therapy and his willingness to help those who are suffering."

"No regrets."

"Graham and Maria create a perfect environment for psychedelic discovery and healing. Meticulous planning and preparation are followed by flawless execution in a safe and private setting. I was is guided gently and competently through the whole journey, starting with conversations weeks before the big day, and ending with a long de-briefing talk and detailed journey notes with plenty of links and suggestions for further exploration. The trip itself was backed up at all times by calm and compassionate guidance, removing any traces of apprehension. Graham is very knowledgable about all aspects of the psychedelic experience and brings a wealth of experience to the table. This makes him a wonderful guide for beginners as well as seasoned participants, including -- in my opinion -- those suffering from disorders such as anxiety and depression. Despite all the attention to detail, the bigger picture and the essence of the process never get lost. And all this comes at a very reasonable price point...I wish Graham and Maria success and fulfilment on their own journey, and I will certainly be back with them."

"I booked a session with Graham and Maria on a whim-- Was in the area for a week, and was interested to see what a guided experience would be like. I was initially hesitant - as I think most people are when doing something like this - but that all immediately evaporated after I met Graham and Maria for the first time for our intro session. They have the loveliest location, and the instant you walk in, you feel immediately at ease. It's good vibes all around - clean, smells amaaaaazing - and they are both incredibly calming presences. Maria is so sweet and naturally caring, while Graham has clearly put so much time and effort into structuring an ideal experience that you can relax knowing somebody else has done their homework (and is there for you besides). Very detail-oriented. I have also facilitated sessions, and Graham did exactly the right things for me-- I wouldn't have done a single thing differently! In these kinds of experiences, the humans you interface with really, really matter, and these two are just about as good as it gets. They're so genuine and so clearly in it for the right reasons. Came in as a client, left as a friend. I have a feeling these two are going to be very busy, so if you see an opening, can't recommend highly enough. Buen camino :) "