Safety, screening and support

Halcyon is a retreat house and hospitality partner. Halcyon itself does not provide medical, psychological or clinical services. All clinical work connected to the Colorado psilocybin retreat, including screening, preparation, the guided session and integration, is carried out by licensed professionals through Presence of Mind Therapy, led by Maureen Lennon-Schafer, LCSW.

Psilocybin services are not offered in New Jersey, and Halcyon's New Jersey house does not offer psilocybin. The psilocybin retreat takes place only in Colorado, under Colorado's natural medicine program.

Before anyone is accepted, Maureen's team screens them. Colorado's rules shape that process:

• A safety screen that reflects generally accepted standards of practice, covering medical history, mental health history and current medications.
• Your attestation. You will be asked to confirm that the health history you give is complete and accurate.
• A talk about your goals, and whether they can reasonably be met.
• Informed consent, covering risks, the range of possible effects, how psilocybin can affect decision-making, and your right to stop at any time.
• At least one individual preparation session, even in a group program.

If screening identifies a risk factor, the session can only go ahead after a referral from a licensed provider, medical clearance from your own provider, or a consultation and risk review. Your provider can be licensed in your home state. A facilitator can decline to provide services for any health or safety reason.

This is not a complete list, and it is not medical advice. Conditions and medications that call for real caution, or that may rule someone out, include:

• a personal or family history of schizophrenia, other psychotic disorders, or bipolar disorder
• lithium or antipsychotic medication
• cardiovascular disease or uncontrolled high blood pressure
• seizure disorders, liver disease, or severe or terminal illness
• pregnancy or breastfeeding

Common antidepressants (SSRIs and SNRIs) may weaken psilocybin's effects. Never stop or change any medication without your prescriber.

Read more in Who should not attend a psilocybin retreat.

Colorado's rules require facilitators to:

• monitor vital signs, hydration and psychological well-being
• take reasonable steps to prevent physical or psychological harm
• keep participants in the session space until the session is complete
• run full-dose sessions for at least five hours, and until there are no obvious adverse effects
• keep group sessions to no more than four participants per facilitator at full doses

Difficult moments are a normal part of many psilocybin sessions, and facilitators are trained to support people through them. Colorado's rules also require facilitators to tell normal side effects apart from a medical emergency. In an emergency, they must contact emergency responders or appropriate medical professionals immediately. Facilitators must report any life-threatening or serious adverse health event to the state within 24 hours.

If a facilitator believes someone is being harmed, or is not likely to benefit, the rules require them to stop services and refer that person to other appropriate care.

A signed transportation plan for after the session is required. On the retreat, transport between the house and the healing center is provided. Do not drive on session day.

The retreat includes a group integration session, at no extra charge. In it, the facilitator reviews the session with each participant, checks how they responded, and recommends follow-up care or referrals where appropriate. Additional integration sessions may be available. Ask Maureen's team what follow-up they offer once you are home.

If you have a therapist or doctor at home, consider telling them about your plans before you go, so support is in place when you return.

• Questions about the retreat or screening: Presence of Mind Therapy, (908) 347-3794.
• To check a facilitator's license or file a complaint: Colorado DORA, Office of Natural Medicine Licensure.
• To report an adverse health event or concern about a healing center: Colorado Natural Medicine Division.
• Crisis support any time: call or text 988.