Each retreat is supported by three to four guides. Our guides include:
Chris Adrian, is a pediatric palliative care physician in Los Angeles. He trained as a pediatric oncologist at the University of California San Francisco, and as a hospital chaplain at Columbia University Medical Center and the Jewish Theological Seminary of New York. His research interests include integrating narrative medicine methods into palliative care education and using psychedelic assisted psychotherapy for complicated grief.
Dingle Spence, MD, FRCR, is a Jamaican physician with training in both Clinical Oncology and Palliative Medicine. She is the Senior Medical Officer of the Hope Institute Hospital, Jamaica’s only dedicated Oncology and Palliative Care unit, and is an Associate Lecturer at the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica. She is a cofounder of the Jamaica Cancer Care and Research Institute (JACCRI), a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving the quality of cancer care and palliative care in Jamaica and the Caribbean, and is also a Board Member of the International Association for Hospice and Palliative Care (IAHPC). Dr Spence has trained in Shamanic Energy Medicine and has also studied acupuncture, homeopathy, and Reiki. She is currently being trained as a psychedelic guide. Dr Spence has research interests in mind body medicine and in the use of plant-based medicines including cannabis and psychedelics for people with palliative care needs.
Neil Hanon, MD, FRCPC, is a psychiatrist in Kelowna, British Columbia and is Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at the University of British Columbia (UBC). He is the Year 3 Director (the clinical year) of the Southern Medical Program of UBC in Kelowna. Dr. Hanon also does inpatient work at Kelowna General Hospital, and outpatient work at Outreach Urban Health (an Interior Health operated, primary care clinic where he works with homeless, street entrenched people struggling with addictions and other mental health challenges), and at his private practice. Dr. Hanon has a research interest in legally sanctioned trials with ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin for the treatment of complicated grief, treatment resistant depression, and severe addictions. Dr. Hanon got involved in Holotropic Breathwork first as a participant to help with his grief after the death of his 17 year old son, then continued on to become certified as a Holotropic Breathwork facilitator in 2015. He is faculty for Grof Legacy Training Canada, and is training Faculty for TheraPsil Canada, an organization to help people with end of life anxiety access legal psilocybin treatment. Dr. Hanon was fortunate to have Dr. Ralph Metzner as his teacher and mentor from 2015 until Ralph’s death in 2019.
Darci Meyers, M.A. is a psychotherapist in private practice in Crestone, Colorado. She is a Certified Hakomi Therapist and is trained as a chaplain in Clinical Pastoral Education. She worked in hospice and palliative care for over a decade, inspired by her mother’s early death in 2002, and provided grief support and education to individuals and groups. She was the founding director of Anam Chara Hospice in Boulder, Colorado and of the Spiritual Care Centre at Dzogchen Beara in southwest Ireland, a Buddhist-based palliative care center for the terminally ill and their families. She also served as faculty in the Contemplative End-of-Life Care Program at Naropa University. A meditation practitioner for over 30 years, Darci works with expanded states of consciousness as a healing modality. She is trained by MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies) in MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy and as a psychedelic guide trained in the Mazatec tradition.
Jarrod Beck is an installation artist, papermaker and sculptor based in Los Angeles. Jarrod combines his training as an architect and artist with training in Somatic Psychotherapy from the Hakomi Institute of California and training as a Shamanic Practitioner with the Foundation for Shamanic Studies to help clients build exterior and interior spaces to facilitate healing and growth.
Patrice Dwyer is a Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) Practitioner, Lymphedema Therapist, Certified Professional Cancer Coach and Patient Navigator with over 19 years experience specializing in manipulative body based therapies and energy medicine. She describes herself as a Transformation Therapist, and has accompanied and guided many persons, their families and care-givers through various stages on their journey to healing and lifestyle transformation. She is passionate about promoting efficient, quality care for all persons living with and affected by cancer, as well as an advocate for Palliative care. Patrice believes that an integrated or holistic approach to treating any dis-ease is critical for optimal recovery and healing. She feels privileged to be able to offer support, guidance and the tools best suited to empower individuals to actively take part in their own healing process.
Tuala García-Zuazua M.A. is a counselor and transformational guide, helping people find their unique internal resources to heal traumas and create a vibrant life. She holds a Masters in Counseling Psychology from Sophia University in Palo Alto, California. She has 20 years of experience working with individuals, couples and families and specializes in issues related to intimacy and relationships. She trained as an psychedelic guide and works with clients individually and in groups to bring altered states of consciousness healing to all aspects of life. She currently lives and works in Berkeley with her two teenagers, is always learning more about adventuring in the woods, and visits her family in Mexico often.