Applicant FAQs

All of our retreat programs are held in partnership with retreat centers in places where plant medicine is legal. The majority of our spouse retreats are held in Mexico and incorporate the use of psilocybin. We also have a budding retreat program in the state of Oregon.

The first step is to apply HERE for the program. Please provide as much detail as possible in your application – this is your opportunity to demonstrate that you are ready to undergo this process. The more information you provide, the better we will be able to determine whether our programs are a fit for you. Once your application is approved, you’ll be eligible for a retreat program. We send outreach to approved applicants as retreat spots become available.

When applying for a retreat or emailing our applications team, we’ll work as quickly as possible to respond to your inquiry. Please note, this may take a few days.

The process itself includes:
Sign the documentation and submit your donation
Initial Application approval
Retreat Selection, as retreats come available
Intake call
Safety/Medical Screening

We work diligently to approve initial applications as we receive them. If your application is approved, this does not yet mean you have been enrolled for a retreat. Our team will reach out to all approved applicants as retreats spots come available that you might be eligible for. An intake and safety screening are required to confirm your participation.

We look for applicants who have already put effort towards other healing modalities such as therapy, coaching, mindfulness, etc. Motivation to “do the work” and take ownership of your healing process are crucial in order for psychedelic programs to be successful. 

Applicants on antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications must be able to work with a trained medical professional to wean off of these substances 4-6 weeks before the retreat date. Some SSRIs may require an 8 week tapering schedule. We do not provide medical advice and require that you work with your medical provider to determine whether weaning off of medication is appropriate for you. 

We take several factors into account when selecting those who have requested to enroll for specific retreats:

Current and active passport with at least 9 months viability at enrollment

The needs of each spouse in question

Willingness to commit to the interpersonal work required through our program’s preparation and integration: attend all coaching calls, adhere to the preparation diet requirements, show up authentically

Amount of time each spouse has been approved and waiting to attend a retreat

Spouse’s ability to cover at least $500, the minimum financial contribution

Spouses who are selected for this step will be sent an email requesting to schedule a video intake call. It’s best to schedule this video intake call as soon as possible in order to progress enrollment for the retreat programs you’d prefer. Video Intake Calls are held through Zoom, and it’s expected that you’re on camera; be sure to check your email for this link and save it to your calendars. During this call, you can expect to discuss your intentions for seeking a psychedelic retreat program. Intake calls offer us an opportunity to get to know you better and ensure you would be a good fit for one of our programs.

A Safety/Medical Screening phone call will be conducted to review your medical and health history with one of our trained Medical Screeners to help us ensure it is safe for you to attend a retreat program. our Medical Screeners are advisors and do not give medical advice. Any changes to your lifestyle or medications should be done under the supervision of your prescribing physician.

Contraindicated heart or respiratory conditions (determined case by case)

Personal/family history of psychosis; Schizophrenia, DID, Bipolar Type I 

An inability to wean off of contra-indicated medications (e.g. SSRIs/SNRIs) 4-6 weeks in advance of the retreat commencing

Recent participation in another psychedelic retreat or the intention to participate in another retreat within 4 months from the start of the HHP Retreat Program

Unwillingness to follow the preparation diet (dieta), which includes adopting an anti-inflammatory diet, focused on whole foods, and limiting the following: red meat, dairy, processed foods, foods high in salt, sugar, oils, and saturated fats, recreational drugs (including cannabis and other psychedelics), social media, mainstream media, and sex with self or other).

Experiencing extreme crisis or suicidal thoughts may be asked to stabilize using other resources before undergoing a psychedelic program.

Homelessness, on parole, or in an in-patient treatment center.

Our Spouse Retreat Programs, both international and domestic, cost on average $6,000 per person served.

The Heroic Hearts Project Grant is available to you if you cannot afford to pay your own way. Please consider the below contribution amounts. Each participant is encouraged to pay what they can, and should consider what they can afford based on their own financial picture as well as the intended impact of the HHP program they are attending. Every contribution is paid forward to support a future veteran in need of services.

$500 – This is the requested minimum contribution, and is the recommended contribution for participants experiencing financial hardship and genuinely require assistance. This may include members of equity-denied communities, those working in essential care professions (such as students, teachers, etc.) or anyone in financial distress.

$1,600 – This contribution covers the travel costs for another spouse, and is affordable for most. This tier is for those with a basic level of financial security. Please consider this amount if you have steady employment, own a car, feel comfortable eating at restaurants, etc.

$3,600 – This contribution covers the retreat and travel costs for another spouse. This tier is for those participants who have extra income or assets and feel called to support another veteran through the process. Please consider this amount if, for example, you are comfortable with leisure travel, attend festivals, and have disposable income and/or bonus assets, e.g. “toys” like boats, jet-skis, motor-cross bikes, off-road vehicles, etc.

$6,000 – This contribution covers the full program cost for another spouse: the retreat, all travel and coaching. This tier is for those who consider themselves successful in business, investments, and in life. Contributions at this level do so much to help us provide access and inclusivity in this spouse mental health community.