What people are saying
For three days, I joined a supportive sisterhood. We brought it all—our histories, what we became to survive them, the ways we want to grow, feel, and be. Karen and Bhavya brought their excellent professional medical skills, nurturing-mother intentions (and delectable food!), and belief in us. The assistants gracefully anticipated and fulfilled our every need. I met my fears and patterns, my compulsion to self-protect whenever I sense an opening. The ketamine trips bestowed the relief of separation from the intrusive thoughts and sensations that I’ve told myself make me me. In this safe container, I unfolded. A week later, I’ve retained some distance from old thoughts and beliefs. A shift: the roiling, slamming physical sensations I call anxiety have abated. Daily, I recognize my scripts unspooling and observe them from a slight remove. I have rich, new, authentic material to take to my new, somatically based psychotherapist. I sense a change in my path. I feel hopeful.
Sheryl, participant in Fertile Ground, ketamine assisted visionary retreat for women
Having received, over the past year and a half, several courses of ketamine treatment for depression at various clinics, I was excited to participate in Sapience's recent ketamine-assisted men's retreat. Excited, but also a little nervous, since the idea of a communal psychedelic experience was new to me, and because groups-- especially men-centered groups-- have not historically been in my comfort zone. But thanks to the emotional courage bestowed by earlier ketamine work, I did join the diverse cohort of men and Sapience staffers for three wonderful days and nights of deep conversation, emotional growth, shared medicine sessions, and supportive integration. (As well as meals, meditations, and music!) It was an experience of positive caring and openness unlike any I've previously encountered. In addition to the benefits and afterglow of the retreat, I'm delighted to have found in Sapience a center of dedicated caregivers and fellow travelers on the forefront of mental health practice.
Gordon, participant in Cultivating Connection Through Compassion, ketamine assisted visionary retreat for men
Working with Dr. Gilman, Dr. Scott, and Dr. Rajanna in this retreat setting was like being held in a safe space with sharp minds and warm hearts. While they hold excess knowledge in couples work and psychedelic work, they make it about you and your partner's process, offering support as needed along the way. The psychedelic experience offers insight you did not know you were seeking, and the couples framework allows that insight to land in a container that you can take home with you and continue to implement in your everyday life. Thank you to these women for creating and implementing this special space!
Hannah, participant in ketamine assisted couples retreat
The Sapience team and staff did a wonderful job creating a warm, safe, supportive and accepting environment. While this was my second experience with ketamine, it was my partner's first, so their ability to make her feel safe allowed her to comfortably push beyond her usual boundaries and have a deeper and more meaningful experience. And the group interaction and couples activities provided an important framework and definitely added to the overall experience. I truly feel that this retreat was one of the most wonderful things we've done together as a couple and I believe it will have a lasting impact on our relationship.
Anonymous participant in ketamine assisted couples retreat
The Ketamine Couple's Retreat has been one of the top transformative experiences I have ever had. Bhavya, Donna and Karen coordinated their expertise and style to provide our group of couples with a comfortable and uplifting environment that felt safe and assuring at all times. They were artful in how they integrated couples' work with the use of Ketamine, and with opportunities for integration that were broad and thoughtful. My partner's and I simultaneous experience with Ketamine was truly special and is having a lasting impact in our relationship. The experience gave us access to an expanded well of love, care and understanding that we were not aware of which has already enhanced our day to day interactions and commitment to support each other as we grow together as individuals and as a couple. At a personal level, I gained insights that have strengthened my sense of identity, how I feel as a relational being, and my overall sense of connectedness with nature, which is very dear to me. I am forever grateful for this experience and recommend it to anyone who feels ready to follow their curiosity about experiencing the gifts that our complex human condition has to offer.
Anonymous woman of color (participant in ketamine assisted couples retreat)
The couples Ketamine retreat was a great experience for my wife and I. The combination of Ketamine with ideas and strategies from couples therapy worked really well. The Ketamine gave us a sense of openness and warmth which made it much easier to benefit from the various strategies and exercises. It was wonderful to see peoples’ defenses melt over the course of the weekend as the more vulnerable parts of themselves were revealed. I was moved several times to tears (and I don’t often cry!) as I witnessed people have such powerful experiences and breakthroughs.
The MD’s, couples therapy expert and sitters were present the entire weekend. Bhatya Rajanna and Karen Scott, the MD’s, were quite careful about proper dosing, they explained things thoroughly and their competence eased most of the anxiety about using Ketamine for the first time. The sitters were all very kind, attentive and soothing presences enhancing the whole experience. Donna Gilman, the Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Couples Center of the Pioneer Valley ably guided us through the exercises and couples therapy approaches which were very helpful in moving our relationship in a positive direction. We felt like we were in very capable hands the entire weekend.
My wife and I felt very close to each other and experienced an almost childlike curiosity, happiness, warmth and friendship helped along by the medicine. I am writing this about a week after the retreat and the benefits have continued since the retreat weekend. Our relationship has been lighter and more playful. My mood also seems lighter, and I have been less fretful about various matters.
I highly recommend the Ketamine assisted couples retreat. It was truly a fantastic experience.
Mike, participant in ketamine assisted couples retreat
Attending the Grounding Flight/Sapience K-IFS training was such a beautiful gift. I loved that this wasn’t just another training where I could only allow some parts of me to show up, but a retreat that allowed all parts of me to show up. I’ve never felt called to bigger PAP training groups– it always felt to me that the energy was stretched too thin to create a truly sacred and cohesive container. In this K-IFS training, I felt bravely held in a container of deep wisdom, mothering nurturance and curiosity. I also formed intimate relationships with others that are now friends, colleagues, and continuing K-IFS session partners. Most importantly, I developed a more intimate relationship with my internal world that’s deeply impacting my work with clients in positive ways. Grounding Flight/Sapience’s K-IFS training is truly the gift that keeps on giving!
Leah, participant in ketamine assisted IFS training retreat
The Sapience sponsored KAP retreat in May of 2022 was very well executed. It is obvious tremendous thought and planning went into all aspects of the retreat. Overall I felt that the facilitators more than met the objectives set. Being in an intimate group provided an extra bonus and many new friendships were formed. I would highly recommend this retreat to anyone considering KAP training.
Teresa, participant in ketamine assisted IFS training retreat
This Retreat Training, which was located in a secluded, sumptuous, private setting, was an extremely organized and well-planned learning environment. The participant size was perfect for small group discussions and lectures. The preparations and teachings were multi-sensory and conducted with respect for the Indigenous traditions and a sense of sacredness to the healing rituals.
The three Leaders/Teachers/Facilitators were wholly present throughout and provided nurturing on all levels of the experience, creating a set and setting conducive to the Ketamine-Assisted with IFSTraining for Therapists.
I highly recommend choosing Sapience Therapy to deliver the 'complete package' -- you will not be disappointed!
Margo, participant in ketamine assisted IFS training retreat