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The directory

How we vet retreats

The criteria a centre must meet to be listed. We list on merit and verifiable information only, never on payment. Listing is not endorsement: it means a centre cleared our baseline checks and provided the information below.

Mandatory, a centre must meet all of these

  1. A named, traceable lead facilitator. A real, identifiable lead facilitator or curandero, not an anonymous brand, with some verifiable footprint.
  2. A stated screening process. The centre screens participants for medical and psychiatric risk before acceptance. “We accept everyone” is a disqualifier.
  3. Medication & contraindication awareness. Evidence they ask about SSRIs/SNRIs/MAOIs and other contraindicated medications and serious conditions, and act on the answers.
  4. Stated safety provisions. Clarity on what happens in a crisis: trained people present, physical safety, and access to help.
  5. Honest, non-contradictory information that is not deceptive.
  6. No prohibited medical claims, no claims to cure disease, replace medical treatment, or tell people to stop prescribed medication.
  7. A lawful context for its jurisdiction.
  8. Contactable via a working website or verifiable contact method.

Strongly weighted, these improve standing

  • A medical professional on site or on call.
  • A clear, written informed-consent process.
  • Integration support offered, during and/or after.
  • Transparent pricing.
  • A reasonable participant-to-facilitator ratio.
  • Indigenous-led, or fair and reciprocal relationships with indigenous communities.
  • Women-led or women’s-safety provisions.
  • An emergency evacuation plan for remote locations.
  • A clear policy on physical contact during ceremony, and a safeguarding policy.

Automatic red flags, reject or unpublish and investigate

  • An anonymous or unverifiable facilitator.
  • No screening, or waving people through.
  • Discouraging medical care or prescribed medication.
  • Claims to cure serious disease.
  • Credible reports of sexual misconduct, coercion, isolation, or love-bombing.
  • Deceptive or contradictory claims, or hidden pricing.
  • An illegal operation that endangers participants.

How approval works

An editor confirms each mandatory item before a centre is approved and recorded as vetted. We record the basis for any rejection, and common anonymised reasons feed our annual transparency report. Reviews from verified past participants add the fuller picture over time.