Psychedelics, Grief & End-of-Life Care

Description

This full-day, interactive workshop invites participants into a deep exploration of grief, dying, and the therapeutic use of psychedelics in end-of-life care. Blending clinical tools, contemplative practice, and cultural narratives, facilitators Debora and Houman will guide participants through a journey of understanding how psychedelic-assisted care can serve individuals facing existential suffering, prolonged grief, and the fear of death.

Drawing on materials from palliative care practice, ceremonial grief work, and integration models, the workshop moves beyond the academic, offering embodied, emotionally resonant experiences, reflective dialogue, and space to explore personal and professional meaning in this work.

Why attend

This workshop offers a rare opportunity to explore the intersection of psychedelics, grief, and end-of-life care in a deeply reflective and clinically grounded setting. Designed for professionals working at the thresholds of life and death, the day blends experiential learning, cross-cultural perspectives, and evidence-informed approaches to grief and existential suffering.

Facilitated by two respected voices in psychedelic care and palliative work, participants will gain insight into how psychedelic-assisted therapy is evolving to meet the needs of people facing profound life transitions. Through case reflections, guided exercises, and community dialogue, attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of how to support patients and clients navigating loss, dying, and the unknown—with or without the use of psychedelic substances.

This is not just a professional development opportunity—it’s a chance to reconnect with your own relationship to mortality and the sacred work of holding space for others.

Learning objectives

By participating in this workshop, attendees will:

• Deepen their understanding of grief, loss, and dying from clinical, cultural, and existential perspectives.
• Explore how psychedelic-assisted therapy may support individuals facing end-of-life distress, including existential dread, fear of death, and prolonged grief.
• Learn how to approach palliative and grief-related care using a patient-centered and trauma-informed framework.
• Examine transcultural and ritual-informed practices that expand conventional models of grief and healing.
• Understand the ethical, legal, and practical considerations in applying psychedelics within palliative and bereavement contexts.
• Engage with tools such as the Serious Illness Conversation Guide and mindfulness-based self-compassion practices for end-of-life care.
• Reflect on personal attitudes toward mortality and how they influence therapeutic presence and relational depth.
• Participate in guided experiential exercises and sharing circles that foster embodied insight and emotional connection.
• Gain clarity on the evolving role of psychedelic therapy in settings beyond strict clinical diagnoses, including spiritual and existential support.

Eligibility criteria

This workshop is intended for professionals working in fields related to mental health, palliative care, and psychedelic-assisted therapy. Eligible participants may include, but are not limited to: licensed or registered psychotherapists, psychologists, counsellors, or psychiatrists; medical professionals involved in end-of-life care, such as palliative care physicians, nurses, or hospice staff; social workers, chaplains, and spiritual care providers working with grief, trauma, or dying populations; practitioners with formal training in psychedelic-assisted therapy or those currently enrolled in a recognised program; researchers and educators focused on psychedelics, grief, or palliative care; and individuals with significant experience supporting others through death, grief, or non-ordinary states of consciousness, such as through ceremony, integration work, or peer-based support.

Please note: participation in this workshop does not qualify you as a psychedelic therapist.