Women's Psychedelic Experiences

How Listening to Women can Support Safer, More Attuned Psychedelic Retreat Experiences 

Join us for an evening of shared insight, grounded dialogue, and practical reflection as we explore how to better support women in psychedelic retreat spaces. Drawing from new research, facilitator interviews, and real-world stories, this gathering will center women's voices and experiences across the full arc of the psychedelic journey—preparation, facilitation, and integration.

We’ll reflect on what it truly means to “hold space” for women - emotionally, physically, and ethically. We will ask:

1. What do women need to feel safe, seen, and supported in altered states?
2. How can facilitators listen more deeply and act more intentionally?

This event is open to retreat facilitators (women-only and mixed-gender), therapists, guides, integration practitioners, and anyone curious about gender-responsive care in psychedelics. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or simply exploring this path, you're warmly invited to contribute, learn, and connect.

Expect:

• Highlights from surveys and interviews with women and facilitators
• Discussion prompts on best practices and ethical care
• Space to share your own questions, concerns, or experiences
• Community dialogue grounded in trust, inclusion, and mutual respect

Together, we’ll co-create a space to deepen understanding and elevate the standard of care for women in psychedelic settings.

YOUR FACILITATORS

Dr. Grace Hopley 

Grace earned a Ph.D. in the neurochemical and neurofunctional effects of cannabinoids following completion of a Masters in Neuroscience at King’s College London. As a research associate, she has continued to research in the field of cannabinoids and mental health, particularly using neuroimaging techniques. Grace has a keen research interest in plant medicine research and how these may be used therapeutically, as well as the mechanisms and risk factors behind the development of psychological disorders

Mary Bonett 

Mary is an integrative somatic therapist working in trauma recovery and in psilocybin assisted therapy. She facilitates psilocybin ceremonies, specialising in women’s ceremonies and retreats, and works with participants pre and post ceremony to ensure optimal safety and experience for their journey.

For many years she worked in the Gender Based Violence sector working with survivors of domestic and sexual violence and since then has brought a trauma informed approach to all her work. She believes women-only spaces can be an integral part of a woman's healing journey and provide more safety and trust, especially those in recovery from sexual trauma and gender based violence.

Lucyne Pearson 

Lucyne is a psychotherapist and pioneer in the field of psychedelics, with over two decades of experience. As a medicine woman and songkeeper, her work bridges the clinical and the ceremonial, the modern and the ancestral. She weaves therapeutic modalities with ancient practices, blending ritual and ceremony with a deep understanding of psychology and neuroscience.

At the heart of her work is the creation of powerful, welcoming spaces where each person is met with presence and compassion for their unique journey. Her approach brings together science and ceremony, blending therapeutic depth with ancestral wisdom—always rooted in respect, care, and deep listening.

As part of the founding team at Beckley Retreats, Lucyne helped shape the retreat experience, from programme design to the facilitation of safe, meaningful, and lasting experiences. She also designed and led women’s retreats in Spain with the Arrigo Programme, supporting women in reconnecting with authenticity, embodiment, and creative self-expression.

Lucyne is devoted to meeting each person with authenticity and acceptance, walking alongside them on the path to wholeness—a shared return to the sacred.

Laura Wilkes

After losing her menstrual cycle at age 27 upon coming off the contraceptive pill, Laura Wilkes began a deeply personal journey of healing — moving from disempowerment within the medical system to empowerment through holistic practice. Through years of exploration, education, and embodiment, she transformed her relationship with her body, restoring a healthy, ovulatory cycle and embracing cyclical living.

Once a stressed, corporate Londoner disconnected from her body, she now lives in harmony with her cycle — feeding, moving, and nourishing herself in a way that supports her fertility, health, and inner rhythm. She’s passionate about helping others do the same.

Laura Wilkes is currently completing her Licentiate in Acupuncture at City College of Acupuncture, London, and holds a wide range of qualifications in yoga, women’s health, somatic therapies, and menstrual education, including training with Tiffany Cruikshank, Uma Dinsmore-Tuli, and Nicola Jardim.
 

THE VENUE

We will be meeting at beautiful and brand new, The Sanctuary, &Soul. 

SCHEDULE

• 18:00: Arrive
• 20:30: End

We kindly ask that you arrive no later than 18:00 so we can begin on time and create a safe container for deep connection and conversation. 

YOUR ORGANISER  

Callum Browne

Callum is an event coordinator for The Psychedelic Society and a life-long learner in the exploration of consciousness. He has completed a MSc in Medical Anthropology at University College London where he specialised in research on the phenomenology of consciousness, psychedelics and the therapeutic and healing arts in mystical traditions around the world. 

Callum regularly delivers talks and workshops on mental health, meditation and breathwork to companies, groups and festivals across the UK. Callum is a massage therapist, body worker and somatic release therapist. He is an advocate of transformative and psychedelic experiences that are grounded in transpersonal and somatic philosophy and psychology. These are the experiences that cultivate the experience and wisdom to remember and embody our connection with ourselves, others, nature and the beyond. Follow Callum on Instagram at @calibraid 

REFUNDS POLICY: Please note, we do not arrange refunds or exchanges. When possible we encourage reselling on Ticketswap.

ACCESS:  We do our best to include everyone in our events, regardless of health circumstances. If you have access requirements please email the event organiser directly to discuss. Many facilitators are able to offer reduced ticket prices for those truly unable to afford the ticket price. If this applies to you, do please get in touch with the event organiser.

For PSYCHEDELIC KNOWLEDGE AND RESOURCES please check out the Psychedelic Society website. 

Our facilitators have agreed to our code of conduct. Learn about our procedure for raising concerns

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