ALALAHO

Alalaho Retreats in the Netherlands logo Alalaho offers a holistic psycho-spiritual approach to personal development which integrates the use of psychedelics and other transformational practices. Our psilocybin-assisted retreats offer a safe, legal and supportive environment to experience a psychedelic journey, which can help you experience greater freedom, wholeness and creative flow. The psychedelic used at the retreats is the psilocybin-containing truffle, and the retreats take place in the Netherlands, where psilocybin truffles are legal. We take great care to optimise the two key factors determining a psychedelic journey: set and setting. Our retreats are designed to prepare you to let go into a receptive, trusting state of mind (set), in an environment in which you can feel completely safe and supported (setting). You will: - Receive 1:1 guidance and support before and after the ceremony from our expert facilitators - Engage in preparation and integration activities before, during and after the retreat - Become part of a community by sharing the journey together with a group of like minded individuals - Be nurtured and nourished in a beautiful retreat venue, in nature, eating healthy, exquisite food Our retreats offer an accessible entrypoint into psychedelic and other forms of inner exploration and personal growth work. These retreats introduce you to the foundational pillars of our approach: relationship with self, relationship with others, relationship with nature, relationship with the Mystery. They are available to all sufficiently mentally and physically healthy individuals, regardless of prior experience of psychedelic substances. Whether for our 4-day or 5-day retreat, we always begin the first full day with a late afternoon ceremony, meaning you will have had nearly 24 hours to properly land and feel safe, settled and connected to the place and the group. It also gives you space to prepare internally, to come into deeper contact with what is blocking you in your lives, and distil your intention for the ceremony. On our 4-day retreat, you have an entire day after the psychedelic ceremony dedicated to integration. All our retreats have at least one full integration day, honouring the precious window of time when one is still open and bathing in the ‘afterglow’ of the experience. This is a crucial time to harvest the insights and start weaving them into our way of being. On our 5 day retreats, we dedicate two full days to integration, because we believe that integration is really one of the most important keys and we want to support you to make the most of the window of opportunity in the ‘afterglow’ time. This format allows more space for the stillness and quiet that is actually so necessary for integration but that is often lacking in the hectic pace of modern life. It also gives you more time to further unpack and deepen any insights gained from the ceremony, through facilitator support and the various integration exercises on offer, the design of which is informed by the very best of personal and spiritual growth modalities.

The Process

STEP

1

APPLY Submit an application to the Alalaho retreat programme. This information is essential in helping us support your safety and well-being.

STEP

2

EXPLORATION CALL Schedule a complimentary call with us to explore whether a psychedelic journey is the right decision for you at this point in your life.

STEP

3

BOOK YOUR RETREAT Choose your preferred retreat type and date. Whether for our 4-day or 5-day retreat, we always begin the first full day with a late afternoon ceremony, meaning you will have had nearly 24 hours to properly land and feel safe, settled and connected to the place and the group. It also gives you space to prepare internally, to come into deeper contact with what is blocking you in your lives, and distil your intention for the ceremony. On our 4-day retreat, you have an entire day after the psychedelic ceremony dedicated to integration. All our retreats have at least one full integration day, honouring the precious window of time when one is still open and bathing in the ‘afterglow’ of the experience. This is a crucial time to harvest the insights and start weaving them into our way of being. On our 5 day retreats, we dedicate two full days to integration, because we believe that integration is really one of the most important keys and we want to support you to make the most of the window of opportunity in the ‘afterglow’ time. This format allows more space for the stillness and quiet that is actually so necessary for integration but that is often lacking in the hectic pace of modern life. It also gives you more time to further unpack and deepen any insights gained from the ceremony, through facilitator support and the various integration exercises on offer, the design of which is informed by the very best of personal and spiritual growth modalities.

STEP

4

BEGIN THE PREPARATION PROCESS You will receive material and suggested exercises to support your preparation for the retreat. One week before the retreat there will be a video call for you to meet your lead facilitator and fellow participants. Giving due energy to preparation before the psychedelic journey not only reduces the possibility of anxiety and tension blocking the flow of the experience, it also enhances the probability of an enriched, deeper experience. - Ahead of each retreat, you will receive reading material and suggested exercises to support your preparation for the retreat. - One week before the retreat you will also have the opportunity to meet your lead facilitator and fellow participants via video call, allowing you to get to know each other and feel safe in the group, as well as ask any burning questions you might have. - On the retreat itself, we offer one-on-one sessions with the facilitators, and individual and group activities to help you feel well prepared and supported, as well as safe and bonded with the group before stepping into the unknown.

STEP

5

ATTEND THE RETREAT Let go of your usual duties and obligations and be held and supported as you set sail onto new shores, discovering yourself and the world in a whole new way!

STEP

6

EMBARK ON YOUR INTEGRATION JOURNEY You will be supported for 3 weeks through a weekly group video call with your fellow participants and a senior facilitator as well as suggested exercises – to help you weave the insights from the retreat back into your everyday life. In many ways, the journey only really begins when the psychedelic effect subsides. - In the days after the ceremony, we incorporate solo and group integration activities, and individual one-on-one sessions with the facilitators to give you the opportunity to explore the deeper nuances of your journey. - We also offer 3 weeks of integration support following the retreat – through group video calls as well as suggested exercises – to help you weave the insights from the retreat back into your everyday life.

Session Types

1:1 Psychedelic Preparation & Integration Sessions

One-on-one personalised preparation and integration sessions with seasoned psychotherapists, with years or experience holding people through psilocybin-assisted transformational journeys.

1:1 Psychedelic Preparation & Integration Sessions

One-on-one personalised preparation and integration sessions with seasoned psychotherapists, with years or experience holding people through psilocybin-assisted transformational journeys.

Upcoming Events

5-day Core Retreat · October 18-22, 2023

Our Core Retreats offer a safe and accessible entry point into psychedelic and other forms of inner exploration and personal growth. They are designed to prepare you to let go into a receptive, trusting state of mind (set), in an environment in which you can feel completely safe and supported (setting). We include exercises and approaches from the Western clinical model, somatic and transpersonal psychology, as well as from ancient wisdom traditions across different cultures and times such as Tibetan Buddhism and the shamanic lineages of the Americas. Core retreats introduce you to the foundational pillars of our approach: relationship with self, relationship with others, relationship with nature, relationship with the Mystery.

5-day Core Retreat · October 18-22, 2023

Our Core Retreats offer a safe and accessible entry point into psychedelic and other forms of inner exploration and personal growth. They are designed to prepare you to let go into a receptive, trusting state of mind (set), in an environment in which you can feel completely safe and supported (setting). We include exercises and approaches from the Western clinical model, somatic and transpersonal psychology, as well as from ancient wisdom traditions across different cultures and times such as Tibetan Buddhism and the shamanic lineages of the Americas. Core retreats introduce you to the foundational pillars of our approach: relationship with self, relationship with others, relationship with nature, relationship with the Mystery.

4-day Core Retreat · December 7-10, 2023

Our Core Retreats offer a safe and accessible entry point into psychedelic and other forms of inner exploration and personal growth. They are designed to prepare you to let go into a receptive, trusting state of mind (set), in an environment in which you can feel completely safe and supported (setting). We include exercises and approaches from the Western clinical model, somatic and transpersonal psychology, as well as from ancient wisdom traditions across different cultures and times such as Tibetan Buddhism and the shamanic lineages of the Americas. Core retreats introduce you to the foundational pillars of our approach: relationship with self, relationship with others, relationship with nature, relationship with the Mystery.

4-day Core Retreat · December 7-10, 2023

Our Core Retreats offer a safe and accessible entry point into psychedelic and other forms of inner exploration and personal growth. They are designed to prepare you to let go into a receptive, trusting state of mind (set), in an environment in which you can feel completely safe and supported (setting). We include exercises and approaches from the Western clinical model, somatic and transpersonal psychology, as well as from ancient wisdom traditions across different cultures and times such as Tibetan Buddhism and the shamanic lineages of the Americas. Core retreats introduce you to the foundational pillars of our approach: relationship with self, relationship with others, relationship with nature, relationship with the Mystery.

Staff

Jennifer Tessler · Founding Director - Lead Facilitatator

For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by the inner workings of the human mind(heart). What began as an early fascination with mythology, religions, psychology and philosophy transformed over time into a deep-seated commitment to spiritual practice and living a life of purpose. I will forever remember the first book I ever read on Buddhism, how it led me to embark in my late teens on a life-changing backpacking journey to Asia where I discovered both Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred use of psychedelic medicines. It was in the Himalayan mountains that I experienced for the very first time the deep, inexpressible joy that comes from the cracking open of the heart to its own immensity, and to the inherent beauty of the web of life in all its intricacy, interconnectedness and mysteriousness. It was also then – on a meditation retreat exploring the meaning of life in light of impermanence and death – that I vowed to dedicate my life to the cultivation of wisdom and compassion, and to helping facilitate the transformations so desperately needed in our aching world. A couple of months later, I was fortunate to meet my root teacher, a Tibetan Buddhist master in the Vajrayana tradition, under whose close guidance I have studied and trained ever since. In the past thirteen or so years, I have spent over 800 days in meditation retreat – inquiring into the nature of reality, becoming familiar with the inner workings of my own mind(heart). I went on to obtain a degree in Social Anthropology from Sussex University, and trained as an integrative transpersonal psychotherapist at the Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education, London. In 2018, I began facilitating psilocybin-assisted retreats and co-directing the first such European programme, eventually leading to the founding of Alalaho. It is profoundly touching to be supporting people on their own journeys of unfolding. For that is what this work is all about: the unfolding of the infinite vitality, wisdom and potential that lies at the core of our being… just like the blossoming of a lotus. To get in touch, email jennifer@alalaho.org or visit www.jennifertessler.com

Treating:

Depression

Anxiety

I just want to expand my mind

Relationship Difficulties

Utilizing:

Psilocybin

Specialties:

Transpersonal Psychotherapy, Tibetan Buddhism

Jennifer Tessler · Founding Director - Lead Facilitatator

For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by the inner workings of the human mind(heart). What began as an early fascination with mythology, religions, psychology and philosophy transformed over time into a deep-seated commitment to spiritual practice and living a life of purpose. I will forever remember the first book I ever read on Buddhism, how it led me to embark in my late teens on a life-changing backpacking journey to Asia where I discovered both Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred use of psychedelic medicines. It was in the Himalayan mountains that I experienced for the very first time the deep, inexpressible joy that comes from the cracking open of the heart to its own immensity, and to the inherent beauty of the web of life in all its intricacy, interconnectedness and mysteriousness. It was also then – on a meditation retreat exploring the meaning of life in light of impermanence and death – that I vowed to dedicate my life to the cultivation of wisdom and compassion, and to helping facilitate the transformations so desperately needed in our aching world. A couple of months later, I was fortunate to meet my root teacher, a Tibetan Buddhist master in the Vajrayana tradition, under whose close guidance I have studied and trained ever since. In the past thirteen or so years, I have spent over 800 days in meditation retreat – inquiring into the nature of reality, becoming familiar with the inner workings of my own mind(heart). I went on to obtain a degree in Social Anthropology from Sussex University, and trained as an integrative transpersonal psychotherapist at the Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education, London. In 2018, I began facilitating psilocybin-assisted retreats and co-directing the first such European programme, eventually leading to the founding of Alalaho. It is profoundly touching to be supporting people on their own journeys of unfolding. For that is what this work is all about: the unfolding of the infinite vitality, wisdom and potential that lies at the core of our being… just like the blossoming of a lotus. To get in touch, email jennifer@alalaho.org or visit www.jennifertessler.com

Treating:

Depression

Anxiety

I just want to expand my mind

Relationship Difficulties

Utilizing:

Psilocybin

Specialties:

Transpersonal Psychotherapy, Tibetan Buddhism

Jonah Brody · Lead Facilitator

Hi! I’m Jonah. I’m an Integrative psychotherapist and systemic group therapist. I grew up in the North of England, with my mum and brother in a working class farming community. I fell in love with music from an early age and was writing and performing in different settings from around thirteen years old onwards. After going to music college and then completing a BA in Music I toured in bands, playing all sorts of genres from Japanese folk to psychedelic rock to Balinese gamelan. I started training as a therapist in my early twenties whilst I was working as a musician. I had discovered to my distress that the incredible transcendent experiences possible through music didn’t take away or heal the pain and lostness I felt in the rest of my life. It’s been a journey of grounding and simplifying. Stopping what was a relentless search for peak experiences, and learning how to live. Becoming a father and an available partner. building a home, and enjoying the simple things. I’ve worked with Alalaho and the team for six years now. I live with my partner and child in a little cottage in a little village in a little country called England. I love working with people and with groups, and I find it humbling to be alongside people as they explore and deepen into themselves. I have had almost twenty years of psychedelic experiences, mainly in ritual and ceremonial contexts and believe psychedelics are an amazing addition to doing this as we all find ways to respond to the challenges and possibilities of living. The way they can reconnect us with creative, spiritual, mystical and playful aspects of our lives is constantly amazing to me. I believe in the capacity of humans to find what they need, and know from my own experience that the simplest things can be life-changing – gardening, cooking, dancing, playing sport, laughing. My deepest hope for this work is that safe, well held and interpersonal psychedelic experiences become much more available and commonplace in our society, transitioning from esoteric and exclusive peak experiences towards simply one more way people can feel more connected to themselves, each other and the world around them.

Treating:

Depression

Anxiety

I just want to expand my mind

Utilizing:

Psilocybin

Specialties:

Integrative Psychotherapy, Family Constellations

Jonah Brody · Lead Facilitator

Hi! I’m Jonah. I’m an Integrative psychotherapist and systemic group therapist. I grew up in the North of England, with my mum and brother in a working class farming community. I fell in love with music from an early age and was writing and performing in different settings from around thirteen years old onwards. After going to music college and then completing a BA in Music I toured in bands, playing all sorts of genres from Japanese folk to psychedelic rock to Balinese gamelan. I started training as a therapist in my early twenties whilst I was working as a musician. I had discovered to my distress that the incredible transcendent experiences possible through music didn’t take away or heal the pain and lostness I felt in the rest of my life. It’s been a journey of grounding and simplifying. Stopping what was a relentless search for peak experiences, and learning how to live. Becoming a father and an available partner. building a home, and enjoying the simple things. I’ve worked with Alalaho and the team for six years now. I live with my partner and child in a little cottage in a little village in a little country called England. I love working with people and with groups, and I find it humbling to be alongside people as they explore and deepen into themselves. I have had almost twenty years of psychedelic experiences, mainly in ritual and ceremonial contexts and believe psychedelics are an amazing addition to doing this as we all find ways to respond to the challenges and possibilities of living. The way they can reconnect us with creative, spiritual, mystical and playful aspects of our lives is constantly amazing to me. I believe in the capacity of humans to find what they need, and know from my own experience that the simplest things can be life-changing – gardening, cooking, dancing, playing sport, laughing. My deepest hope for this work is that safe, well held and interpersonal psychedelic experiences become much more available and commonplace in our society, transitioning from esoteric and exclusive peak experiences towards simply one more way people can feel more connected to themselves, each other and the world around them.

Treating:

Depression

Anxiety

I just want to expand my mind

Utilizing:

Psilocybin

Specialties:

Integrative Psychotherapy, Family Constellations

Hana Wolf · Lead Facilitator

I’ve always felt a curiosity to ask the deeper questions, a hunger to know and understand my innermost self and to live a relationally rich life of connection, purpose and meaning. As a teenager I discovered Buddhism, yoga and psychedelics nearly two decades ago. I gained a BA(hons) degree and used my love for creativity to build a successful career as a designer in London. Whilst a joyous and formative time, the pace of life disconnected me from my true self. A severe burn-out and 8-month migraine in my mid-twenties invited me to look deeper and led me on a path of self-discovery. I left everything to follow a life long calling to travel and live in the Americas. On this 4 year journey, I worked with plant medicines in their native environments in the Shipibo tradition. I completed trainings, intensives and retreats in the Advaita Vedanta yogic traditions and Buddhist traditions and also explored embodiment, dance, breathwork & creativity as a spiritual practice. The life experiences I gained entwined symbiotically with these psychedelic and spiritual teachings; I began to connect more meaningfully with my true self, community and nature, learning how to listen to my heart, follow my intuition, lean into discomfort and trust in the unknown. This journey also readied me to face deeper traumas from my past. through years of self work, therapy and solo psilocybin ceremonies. I went on to train as a yoga teacher, sound healer and facilitator for transformational spaces and nature connection. I led song circles and cacao ceremonies in London and at festivals. In 2018 I joined the retreats team as a facilitator. My greatest passion is to be together with others in our authentic expression and humanness, in our grief, struggle, aliveness and growth. I love to support others to be themselves and to express from the heart. I find joy uniting in song and dance and the celebration of our wild origins, in circle around the fire and under the stars. In the ways of gathering that are so innate within us and connect us to our ancestors and indigenous belonging. I love to bring nature connection into the work, weaving in time to learn, build relationship and draw resource from the land around us. It is a deep honour to do this work and sit alongside others on the journey. I am committed to my own ongoing growth and am currently studying various psychotherapeutic modalities with The School for Essential Counselling, Integrative Somatic Parts Work with The Embody Lab, alongside training to become an accredited coach. I have also completed The Path of Love, the Essentials course at Psychosynthesis and multiple trauma trainings with Carolyn Spring.

Treating:

Depression

Anxiety

I just want to expand my mind

Relationship Difficulties

Utilizing:

Psilocybin

Specialties:

Expressive Arts, Nature connection, Breathwork

Hana Wolf · Lead Facilitator

I’ve always felt a curiosity to ask the deeper questions, a hunger to know and understand my innermost self and to live a relationally rich life of connection, purpose and meaning. As a teenager I discovered Buddhism, yoga and psychedelics nearly two decades ago. I gained a BA(hons) degree and used my love for creativity to build a successful career as a designer in London. Whilst a joyous and formative time, the pace of life disconnected me from my true self. A severe burn-out and 8-month migraine in my mid-twenties invited me to look deeper and led me on a path of self-discovery. I left everything to follow a life long calling to travel and live in the Americas. On this 4 year journey, I worked with plant medicines in their native environments in the Shipibo tradition. I completed trainings, intensives and retreats in the Advaita Vedanta yogic traditions and Buddhist traditions and also explored embodiment, dance, breathwork & creativity as a spiritual practice. The life experiences I gained entwined symbiotically with these psychedelic and spiritual teachings; I began to connect more meaningfully with my true self, community and nature, learning how to listen to my heart, follow my intuition, lean into discomfort and trust in the unknown. This journey also readied me to face deeper traumas from my past. through years of self work, therapy and solo psilocybin ceremonies. I went on to train as a yoga teacher, sound healer and facilitator for transformational spaces and nature connection. I led song circles and cacao ceremonies in London and at festivals. In 2018 I joined the retreats team as a facilitator. My greatest passion is to be together with others in our authentic expression and humanness, in our grief, struggle, aliveness and growth. I love to support others to be themselves and to express from the heart. I find joy uniting in song and dance and the celebration of our wild origins, in circle around the fire and under the stars. In the ways of gathering that are so innate within us and connect us to our ancestors and indigenous belonging. I love to bring nature connection into the work, weaving in time to learn, build relationship and draw resource from the land around us. It is a deep honour to do this work and sit alongside others on the journey. I am committed to my own ongoing growth and am currently studying various psychotherapeutic modalities with The School for Essential Counselling, Integrative Somatic Parts Work with The Embody Lab, alongside training to become an accredited coach. I have also completed The Path of Love, the Essentials course at Psychosynthesis and multiple trauma trainings with Carolyn Spring.

Treating:

Depression

Anxiety

I just want to expand my mind

Relationship Difficulties

Utilizing:

Psilocybin

Specialties:

Expressive Arts, Nature connection, Breathwork

Jamie Richards · Screening Lead - Lead Facilitator

My journey to this work began with a quest for personal healing and a desire to understand how to better support friends and family through the challenges that life so often brings to our doors. I had experienced the tangible benefits that studying and incorporating practices such as yoga, breathwork and meditation could offer, however it was through experiences with psychedelic medicines, that I was most able to touch my deepest wounds, gain new perspectives on past experiences and integrate insights to bring about significant change in my life. Over the following twenty years, I continued to explore various traditions and healing modalities, nurturing a passionate belief in the therapeutic potential of enhanced states of consciousness. I became fascinated with gaining a deeper understanding of how best to support and care for people choosing to explore these states of consciousness, catalysed by the use of ancient medicines. I have developed many workshops and events, focused on creating a deeper understanding of how to prepare for, navigate and integrate what can be both challenging and transformative experiences. After gaining a degree and MA from Birkbeck university, I trained in Holotropic breathwork facilitation, sound therapy, meditation and mindfulness. I’ve been facilitating psilocybin-assisted retreats since 2018 and worked in a range of different ceremonial contexts. I’ve studied with shamanic teachers in South America and Europe and I continue to find nourishment and learning along that path, working with techniques which can assist us to remember and connect to the resources within ourselves and the wisdom of the natural world. I’m passionate about how we can best support one another to feel safe enough to do the often-challenging inner work, that helps us to move through more difficult periods of our lives and realise an awareness of our true potential. Alongside this work, I find my greatest teachers are my loved ones; whether human or furry and four legged. I find joy and connection making music with friends and time spent in nature, exploring the woodlands where I live in Devon, in the south of England.

Treating:

Depression

Anxiety

Relationship Difficulties

I just want to expand my mind

Utilizing:

Psilocybin

Specialties:

Holotropic Breathwork, Sound Therapy

Jamie Richards · Screening Lead - Lead Facilitator

My journey to this work began with a quest for personal healing and a desire to understand how to better support friends and family through the challenges that life so often brings to our doors. I had experienced the tangible benefits that studying and incorporating practices such as yoga, breathwork and meditation could offer, however it was through experiences with psychedelic medicines, that I was most able to touch my deepest wounds, gain new perspectives on past experiences and integrate insights to bring about significant change in my life. Over the following twenty years, I continued to explore various traditions and healing modalities, nurturing a passionate belief in the therapeutic potential of enhanced states of consciousness. I became fascinated with gaining a deeper understanding of how best to support and care for people choosing to explore these states of consciousness, catalysed by the use of ancient medicines. I have developed many workshops and events, focused on creating a deeper understanding of how to prepare for, navigate and integrate what can be both challenging and transformative experiences. After gaining a degree and MA from Birkbeck university, I trained in Holotropic breathwork facilitation, sound therapy, meditation and mindfulness. I’ve been facilitating psilocybin-assisted retreats since 2018 and worked in a range of different ceremonial contexts. I’ve studied with shamanic teachers in South America and Europe and I continue to find nourishment and learning along that path, working with techniques which can assist us to remember and connect to the resources within ourselves and the wisdom of the natural world. I’m passionate about how we can best support one another to feel safe enough to do the often-challenging inner work, that helps us to move through more difficult periods of our lives and realise an awareness of our true potential. Alongside this work, I find my greatest teachers are my loved ones; whether human or furry and four legged. I find joy and connection making music with friends and time spent in nature, exploring the woodlands where I live in Devon, in the south of England.

Treating:

Depression

Anxiety

Relationship Difficulties

I just want to expand my mind

Utilizing:

Psilocybin

Specialties:

Holotropic Breathwork, Sound Therapy

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ALALAHO • Retreat Center

The Process

Session Types

1:1 Psychedelic Preparation & Integration Sessions

1:1 Psychedelic Preparation & Integration Sessions

Upcoming Events

5-day Core Retreat · October 18-22, 2023

5-day Core Retreat · October 18-22, 2023

4-day Core Retreat · December 7-10, 2023

4-day Core Retreat · December 7-10, 2023

Price

Staff

Jennifer Tessler · Founding Director - Lead Facilitatator

Jennifer Tessler · Founding Director - Lead Facilitatator

Jonah Brody · Lead Facilitator

Jonah Brody · Lead Facilitator

Hana Wolf · Lead Facilitator

Hana Wolf · Lead Facilitator

Jamie Richards · Screening Lead - Lead Facilitator

Jamie Richards · Screening Lead - Lead Facilitator

Reviews

Locations

Price