Retreat from Racism in Jamaica

Retreat Dates: March 2026

Experience an opportunity for profound healing from the stress of racism at this all-inclusive 7-day plant medicine mushroom retreat in beautiful Negril, Jamaica.

This coming Spring, join us for a transformative journey organized by Dr. Monnica Williams and led by international expert physician, Dr. Sergio Perez Rosal. Participate in vital research at the University of Ottawa by sharing your experiences with racial identity and community connection. This retreat prioritizes Black and Indigenous individuals, with financial assistance available as needed. Connect with a supportive community and take part in meaningful discussions before and after the retreat. Don't miss this opportunity to heal and grow together!

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Psychedelic Retreats for Racial Trauma

We are investigating the potential of psychedelic plant medicine as a tool for healing racial trauma through immersive retreats. This initiative aims to create a supportive and culturally sensitive environment for Black, Indigenous, and other People of Color (BIPOC) to address the impacts of racial stress and intergenerational trauma. The program's protocol has been designed by our research team, which includes physicians, clinical psychologists, and plant medicine healers, merging modern research with traditional wisdom.

The inaugural retreat took place in Negril, Jamaica, from July 24-31, 2025, with 11 participants from the USA and Canada. The seven-day program included two guided psilocybin ceremonies, which are legal in Jamaica, in a safe and supportive setting. To help participants process their experiences, the retreat incorporated preparatory sessions, integration circles, daily workshops, and individual check-ins with the team of experts. The serene natural environment of Jamaica provided a space for rest, self-reflection, and connection with nature.

A key aspect of this initiative is its cutting-edge research component, which allows the team to study the outcomes of the retreat and contribute to the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy for racial trauma. Participants who choose to take part in the research complete surveys about their experiences with racial identity and discrimination. The program is led by a team of highly qualified professionals, the majority of whom are BIPOC, ensuring that facilitators share and understand the cultural context of the participants. Future retreats are planned, including another one in Mexico for clinicians of color in November 2025 and one in Jamaica in March 2026.

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Psychotherapists and Counsellors Needed for Research Study on Psychedelics and Racial Stress and Trauma

Retreat Dates: November 20 - 25, 2025

We are conducting a study exploring how group-based, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy may impact racialized psychotherapists and counsellors who experience distress related to racism. This experience is designed to support healing, deepen learning, honour ancestral and cultural traditions, foster a sense of community, and cultivate new ways of being and thinking in therapeutic work with racialized clients.

This multi-day retreat will take place in beautiful Oaxaca, Mexico.

Retreat Objectives:

• Explore the cultural and community-based use of psychedelics
• Provide an experiential training opportunity
• Engage in a group-based psychedelic healing practice
• Examine ways to bridge community and traditional practices with psychotherapy assisted therapy (PAT)
• Assess for changes in racial trauma and stress symptoms

You May Qualify If You Are:

• 18+ years old
• A Person of Color (Non-White) such as Black, Indigenous, Asian, Middle Eastern or Latin American
• A practicing psychotherapist or counsellor

Participation Involves:

• Attending three preparation sessions prior to the retreat
• Completing a demographics questionnaire, assessments on racial stress and trauma, and few short questionnaires about your mental health
• Taking part in a group psychedelic-assisted therapy experience during the retreat
• Attending two post-retreat integration sessions

Retreat Details

• Dates: November 20th – November 25th, 2025
• Cost: $900 USD. Deposit is due August 25th, 2025
• Cost includes: retreat accommodation, ground travel from Oaxaca City to San Jose Del Pacifico, meals, ceremonial and training experience.
• Does not include: flights, travel insurance, costs outside of the retreat such as meals, other travel-related expenses, etc.
• Location: Casa Maitri Retreat Centre, Oaxaca, Mexico

If you are interested, please contact the project lead, Dr. Rajni Sharma at rsharma10@uottawa.ca to have an initial meeting to discuss your fit for the study and to share more details. Download flyer.