Inner safety and outer safety
Inner safety is how safe you feel with your own emotions. Can you feel what comes up and stay with it? That is something you build before you arrive, in the month of preparation, and nobody else can tell you that you have it. Only you know.
Outer safety is how safe you feel with the people around you and the room you are in. Connection is the best outer safety there is. When you trust the people holding the space, your body relaxes, and that changes the whole experience.
We work on both. We want you to feel safe before the retreat starts, not only to be told that you are.
What happens to your medical intake
Our nurse practitioner reviews every medical intake. Your prescriber leads any medication change, and tapering often takes one to two months. You never stop or change a medication on your own. The details are on our medications page.
Who we cannot hold
This retreat is not right for everyone, and we would rather tell you that early. We cannot hold:
- People with active psychosis or a recent manic episode
- People in acute suicidal crisis
- People who are pregnant
- People taking lithium or an MAOI
- People with severe heart or liver disease
Our nurse practitioner decides each case. If you are somewhere in the middle, that is what the connection call is for. Not being a fit now does not mean never.
Medical care on site
Jo Ann Forristal, a family nurse practitioner, is on site during the retreat. We also keep at least one facilitator for every four participants, so no one is left alone with a hard moment.
Questions to ask before saying yes
Safety begins before arriving. Ask who reviews your health information, how the team handles emergencies, what participation involves, and whether you can decline touch or a group activity. A clear answer should explain both what support is available and what the setting cannot provide.
For example, if you need privacy when upset, ask where you could go and how to reach a facilitator. If you have a health concern, share it with your clinician and screening team before making plans. Neither a welcoming atmosphere nor an online quiz can replace an individualized assessment.
SAMHSA trauma-informed principles · Preparation guide · Integration guide