What to expect: Our Pathway to Joining a Retreat
At ETI, we believe that the therapeutic process begins long before anyone arrives at a retreat location. Safety, trust and clarity are not add-ons — they are foundational.
Whether you’re feeling curious, cautious, or somewhere in between, this post outlines what happens when you first get in touch and how we carefully support you in assessing whether one of our retreats is the right fit for you.
1. Expressing interest
Your journey begins by registering your interest via our website.
At this stage, there’s no commitment and no expectation — just a signal that something in our work has resonated. Once you submit your details, you’ll receive an initial welcome email from us, giving you a clearer sense of who we are, how we work, and what to expect next.
Many people reach out while standing at a threshold: exploring something new, seeking change, or wanting to understand whether psychedelic-assisted work could be supportive for them. This first step simply opens the conversation.
2. Reviewing our programs
We’ll invite you to explore detailed information about our retreats, including:
The structure of our small-group and private programs
The therapeutic approach we use (preparation, dosing, integration)
The role of relationship, group process and experiential work
Practical considerations such as location, duration and cost
We encourage people to take their time here. Joining a retreat is not about rushing towards an experience — it’s about sensing whether the way we work feels right for you.
If questions arise (and they usually do), you’re welcome to note them down for the next stage.
3. Completing the health form & sharing date preferences
If you feel drawn to continue, you’ll be invited to complete a detailed health and background form.
This covers physical health, mental health history, medication use, previous therapeutic or psychedelic experiences, and current life context. You’ll also be asked which upcoming retreat dates you’re interested in.
This form is not a test, nor is it about “qualifying” in a simplistic way. It helps us understand you as a whole person and assess whether a retreat — at this time — would be supportive, safe and appropriate.
Everything you share is treated with care and confidentiality.
4. Intake call with Jeanine and Hans
If your form suggests that a retreat may be suitable, we’ll invite you to schedule an intake call with Jeanine Souren and Hans van Wechem.
This conversation is a core part of our process.
Together, we explore:
Physical considerations and medical safety
Psychological and emotional readiness
Your intentions, hopes and concerns
How you relate to group work and support
Whether this work feels aligned for you at this point in your life
This is a two-way conversation. You are welcome — and encouraged — to ask questions, name hesitations, and share openly. Sometimes the outcome is a clear yes; sometimes it’s a no, or a “not yet”. All of those outcomes are held with equal respect.
Our priority is not filling retreats — it’s doing this work with integrity.
5. Confirming your retreat place
If we mutually agree that a retreat is the right next step, we’ll confirm your place and finalise the dates.
You’ll receive practical information about what to expect, how to prepare, and how to orient yourself emotionally and practically in the weeks leading up to the retreat. From here, the container begins to take shape — not just logistically, but relationally.
6. The program begins
From preparation through to the retreat itself and into integration, you are supported within a carefully held therapeutic framework.
This includes:
Structured preparation calls to build safety and intention
A deeply considered retreat environment
Experienced facilitation and medical oversight
Integration support to help translate insight into lived change
We see this work not as a single event, but as part of a wider arc of healing, learning and relationship.
A final word
Not everyone who reaches out will join a retreat — and that’s intentional. What matters to us is that people feel informed, respected and met honestly at every step.
If you’re considering getting in touch, know that curiosity is enough to begin. We’ll take the rest, step by step, together.
