Events
Women’s Self-Compassion Ketamine Retreat
May 2, 2026, 12-5pm
Berkeley Yoga Center
Are you a woman who looks “fine” on the outside, but inside you’re exhausted from holding it all together?
Do you find yourself moving through full days and full calendars, quietly thinking, There’s always so much to do… and never enough time for me?
Do you sometimes worry that this pace isn’t sustainable — that somewhere along the way you’ve misplaced your joy, your spark, your sense of lightness?
Do you long to be kinder to yourself… to soften… to breathe more deeply into your own life — but aren’t quite sure how to begin?
If you’re nodding yes, even gently, you’re not alone. And you don’t have to keep carrying it all by yourself.
This retreat is an invitation to pause. To be held. To reconnect with the parts of you that have been quietly waiting for space, care, and renewal.
This one-day retreat offers a thoughtfully curated wellness experience that blends the therapeutic potential of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) with the power of intentional group connection. Created exclusively for women, this intimate gathering adds another layer of healing through shared experience. Coming together as nurturers, caretakers, mothers, sisters, and allies, participants are invited to reconnect with themselves while witnessing the courage and humanity in one another. In this shared container, vulnerability becomes strength, and common humanity becomes a source of belonging.
Within a carefully supported setting, Ketamine can help participants feel less “stuck,” access new perspectives, soften long-held protective patterns, and experience moments of spaciousness and serenity when life has felt constricted or overwhelming.
When held with intention and care, psychedelic-assisted retreats can offer powerful moments of resonance and insight, as participants gently witness and support each other’s journeys. This combination of individual inner work and supportive group connection can make the retreat experience deeply meaningful and memorable. Participants are invited to witness and be witnessed, to rest in shared humanity, and to remember they are not alone. This work is especially supportive for women longing to deepen self-acceptance, nurture their inner world, and rediscover their innate worth — the quiet knowing that you are enough.
Retreat Components
Therapeutically guided ketamine session held in a safe, nurturing setting, led by trauma-informed trained clinicians
Small group preparation and integration circles for intention setting and meaning-making
Guided meditations and nervous-system regulation practices
Deep self-care, reconnection with your authentic self, and space for creativity and play
Gentle connection with like-minded women open to healing and self-exploration
Details
DATES
Preparation Session: Monday April 27, 9-10:30am (virtual)
Retreat Session: Saturday May 2, 12-5pm (in-person)
Integration Session: Monday May 4, 10:30am - 12pm (virtual)
LOCATION
2121 Bonar Street, Studio C, Berkeley, CA 94702
MEDICAL SUPPORT
For medical assessment, treatment planning, ketamine perscription and safety oversight.
INVESTMENT
$650-$850 Sliding Scale: This retreat is offered on a sliding scale of $650–$850. Please choose the rate that feels sustainable for you at this time. This includes all preparation, in-person ketamine & integration sessions, which equates to 8 hours of psychotherapy.
*Medical evaluation & cost of ketamine is additional.
*Superbill available for out-of-network reimbursement.
FACILITATORS
Katie is a California-based therapist, dedicated to helping people transform their challenges into strengths. With over a decade of experience working in mental health with children, youth and adults, she utilizes an eclectic mix of modalities for fostering personal growth and healing. Her style is grounded in the belief that authentic relationships are healing. She listens deeply, creates safety and builds the foundation for being vulnerable and trying new things. Katie lives in Berkeley, is the mother of two children and outside of therapy is found playing in nature with meaningful relationships.
Andrea brings nearly two decade of therapeutic experience, rooted in the belief that healing wisdom resides within every individual and their community. She specializes in cultivating brave, grounded spaces where the pressure to "perform" falls away, allowing participants to arrive exactly as they are. Dedicated to addressing the wounds shaped by systems of oppression, Andrea fosters an environment of authenticity and belonging, supporting each person as they navigate their journey toward personal and collective wholeness.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. When administered in a clinical setting and guided by trained professionals, ketamine therapy is considered safe for most people. All participants will go through a medical clearance with a prescribing doctor prior to be accepted into the group.
To learn more about Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, please see more information in Services.
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Ketamine can create a temporary shift in consciousness that helps people step outside of rigid patterns of thinking and feeling, allowing space for new perspective, emotional release, and insight. The “journey” is relatively mild and short-lived, usually people feel dissociated for about 1 hour. People describe the experience as: gentle physical heaviness or lightness, a subtle feeling of being both “in” and “observing” your experience, vivid imagery or dreamlike scenes, and deeply moved and influenced by the music. People emerge feeling calm, joyful and connected.
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Retreat spaces are warm, calming, and thoughtfully prepared, with low lighting and soft textures that create a cozy, nurturing atmosphere. A carefully curated music playlist will accompany you throughout the experience, gently guiding your inner journey.
Blankets, eye masks, and comfortable seating are provided to help you fully relax and settle in.
Each retreat is led by two licensed therapists who work together to create a container that feels both safe and spiritually attuned. Through gentle guidance and meditation, they help ease you into a state of calm and presence.
During the ketamine session, participants are continuously supported and monitored by a therapist. Our role is to care for you, so you can focus on exploring your inner landscape, releasing tension, and welcoming insight.
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Yes! We warmly welcome participants who are new to KAP and will guide you every step of the way.
After your initial consultation call, you will be referred to Journey Clinical’s medical team for evaluation, medical clearance, and an individualized treatment plan and prescription.
The medication we use is an oral dose that will be mailed directly to you. You will be responsible for bringing it with you to the retreat.
During the preparation session, we’ll ensure you feel fully informed, comfortable with the protocol, and clear about what to expect, so you can enter the experience feeling grounded and supported.
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Yes! We warmly welcome experienced KAP participants.
This retreat offers a meaningful opportunity to rekindle or build upon your previous intentions, while experiencing the work in a new setting and thoughtfully facilitated group format. Many participants find that the group experience deepens their journey — opening the door to fresh insights and the powerful experience of witnessing and being witnessed by other women.
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Integration is essential to receiving the full benefit of your experience. After the retreat, you’ll be invited to join a dedicated integration group where you can process your journey, engage in guided reflection, and connect in meaningful community.
We will also offer supportive practices to help you make the most of the unique window of neuroplasticity that follows ketamine treatment, allowing new insights and patterns to take root in lasting ways.
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Not at all. Sharing after a ketamine session is completely optional. Many participants find listening to others meaningful even if they don’t speak. My hope is to create a safe space where you can choose how much to engage.
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Individual session are always an option and may be preferred for individuals that have never had experience with Ketamine. I can always offer individual KAP sessions for clients who prefer a one-on-one setting. During our intake call, we can decide together which format will best meet your needs.
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Fantastic!
Fill out an application
Schedule a medical clearance appointment with Journey Clincal
Complete consent forms and attend an online preparation session to meet your community and set intentions