Returning to Wholeness Retreat
A deeply connecting psilocybin retreat, supported by movement, joy, ceremony and community.
For all women living with or beyond cancer.
24 - 29 April 2026
De Hoorneboeg, Netherlands
This 5 night retreat offers a safe and sacred space for you to reconnect with yourself - your body, your heart, and your sense of inner wholeness.
Combining a legally facilitated psilocybin ceremony with movement, nature immersion, ritual and rest, this is a full-spectrum and holistic journey that will help you to come home to yourself.
Held in community, and by a highly experienced team of medical and creative professionals, you will be well cared for and nurtured by both the experience and the beautiful environment.
“The whole group was incredibly supportive and I really felt cared for.”
Why Psilocybin and Cancer? A science-backed pathway to healing
A cancer diagnosis can affect every part of who we are - body, mind, spirit, identity, relationships and our sense of safety in the world. Even long after treatment ends, many are left quietly carrying grief, pain, fear or disconnection.
This retreat invites a gentle return to yourself. It’s a space for radical reconnection, deep listening and meaningful change, supported by nature, movement and expanded states of awareness.
Psilocybin, when used in a safe and supportive setting, has been shown in clinical studies to significantly reduce:
Anxiety
Depression
Fear of recurrence or death
Existential distress
Landmark clinical trials at Johns Hopkins University and NYU Langone found that even a single psilocybin session led to profound and sustained improvements in mood and wellbeing for people with cancer. Many participants described the experience as among the most meaningful of their lives, reconnecting them with peace, purpose and perspective.
This retreat honours those findings and builds on them, offering psilocybin within a nurturing container of ceremony, movement, nature and community – all in support of a journey towards wholeness.
“I feel the retreat has helped in my healing process, I’m embracing my body with care and nurturing. I feel sense of calmness, peace, vitality and positivity about the future.”
What’s included?
Please note, everything is offered as an invitation, not an expectation - we respect each woman’s unique journey and capacity.
A legally facilitated psilocybin ceremony, held with reverence and care in a safe, intimate setting, with music, and experienced, trauma-informed support.
Movement and embodiment practices: dance, yoga, breathwork and creative exploration, as well as body-based tools to support grounding (all practices are optional and adaptable).
Rest and spaciousness: forest walks, journaling, stillness and integration time.
Community and conversations with wonderful women, encouraging relational depth.
A grief tending ritual and safe sharing circles.
Group and one to one preparation and integration sessions, to help anchor your experience and transition home.
5 nights’ accommodation in a private room, in a peaceful woodland location.
Delicious and organic vegan and vegetarian meals (all meals provided).
An intimate group size of 12 women plus 5 staff.
Highly experienced and knowledgeable facilitators.
Who is this Retreat for?
For women (age 18+) living with or beyond cancer, including those:
Currently living with a diagnosis (with medical clearance)
In remission and seeking emotional or spiritual support
Finding it hard to navigate anxiety, or prolonged difficulties, as a result of cancer diagnosis / treatment
Please note: Due to safety protocols, we’re unable to offer this opportunity to women with active CNS (central nervous system) metastases.
The Journey - before, during and after
1. Initial Screening
Application form review and one to one call to explore safety, readiness, and support systems
2. Preparation (Online)
One full-group video call
One smaller ‘pod’ call (3 - 4 women) to build trust and connection
3. In-Person Retreat 24–29 April 2026 | Aan de Hei, De Hoorneboeg
Located in ancient woodland near Hilversum, Aan de Hei is a peaceful retreat venue designed for quiet reconnection and deep inner work. The light-filled space is surrounded by forest paths and wild nature - the ideal setting for healing, rest, and transformation.
4. Post-Retreat Integration
One full-group integration video call
One small ‘pod’ call for continued reflection and support
5. Optional Ongoing Community
Access to a private group for continued sharing and connection
How to sign up
To join the Returning to Wholeness Retreat please click on the button below to complete the sign up form / application form. If you encounter any problems with the form email: movedancefeel@gmail.com
Cost:
£1850
This price includes accommodation (in a private room) for 5 nights (linen provided), all activities, a team of 5 staff, and all meals and drinks.
Not included:
Travel is not included - you are responsible for booking your own travel to the venue (which is approximately 30 minutes taxi from Amsterdam. Trains to the closest station of Hilversum also run frequently to/from Amsterdam).
Psilocybin truffles (purchased legally at a smart shop in Amsterdam, approx. €40 - guidance will be provided by the team prior to purchase).
Financial accessibility:
Is this cost is a barrier for you, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We can offer payment plans and where possible subsidised places.
About the lead facilitators
Dr. Lauren Macdonald
Lauren is a psychiatry doctor and experienced psilocybin retreat facilitator. In her early 30s she was diagnosed with stage IV cancer - an experience that reshaped her understanding of healing and deepened her commitment to whole-person care. She later worked as a psychedelic therapist and clinical trial doctor at the Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London. Lauren’s work bridges medicine and spirit, and is grounded in compassion, presence, and a deep trust in the body’s innate wisdom.
Emily Jenkins
Emily is a movement facilitator and founder of Move Dance Feel, an award-winning initiative offering dance to women affected by cancer. With over 15 years of experience working at the intersection of dance and health, her practice invites release, connection, expression and joy. She is a Churchill Fellow, a National Lottery and OneDance UK Award winner, a qualified yoga teacher and a grief tending guide - weaving care, creativity, and heartfelt depth into all of her offerings.
Dr. Catherine Zollman
Catherine is an integrative medicine doctor and Medical Director at Penny Brohn UK, where she has supported people affected by cancer for over 20 years. With training in oncology, integrative oncology and general practice, she brings a rare combination of clinical expertise and knowledge about holistic health, paired with warmth and curiosity. Catherine has also facilitated psychedelic retreats with the Psychedelic Health Professionals Network, and is committed to supporting healing across body, mind, and spirit.
Frequently asked questions
1. Who is this retreat for?
This retreat is open to women with any type of cancer, at any stage - whether newly diagnosed, in treatment, in remission, or living with cancer as a long-term condition. No previous experience with dance, movement or psychedelics is required.
2. Is psilocybin legal in the Netherlands?
Yes, psilocybin-containing truffles are legal and regulated in the Netherlands. Our retreat partners include qualified, highly experienced facilitators who ensure the ceremony is held in a safe, ethical, and supported setting.
3. Do I have to take psilocybin to attend the retreat?
A central aspect of this retreat is a psilocybin ceremony. As we have a limited number of places available (12) we kindly ask you to allow someone else to take your place on the retreat if you do not wish to partake in the ceremony / journey with psilocybin. Instead, please explore and consider joining other Move Dance Feel opportunities that do not involve psilocybin.
4. Is it safe for someone with a cancer diagnosis to take psilocybin?
We take safety very seriously. All participants will be asked to complete a detailed health and wellbeing questionnaire, and will be invited to an individual screening call with the facilitation team to discuss your suitability. While psilocybin is generally considered safe for most people, there are certain medical and psychological conditions that may not be compatible, and we’ll work together to assess this carefully.
5. What support is available before, during and after the ceremony?
The retreat is designed with preparation and integration support in mind. You will be prepared beforehand in a small group setting, and supported throughout the ceremony by trained facilitators. After the ceremony, there will be space for integration via movement, reflection and group sharing, as well as one to one check-ins as needed. Integration support is woven throughout the retreat and continues after you return home.
6. What is the setting like?
The retreat takes place at De Hoorneboeg, a beautiful and secluded retreat space surrounded by forest near Hilversum, around 30 minutes from Amsterdam. Accommodation is peaceful and comfortable, with nourishing meals and plenty of space to rest, reflect and recharge.
7. Can I speak to someone before deciding to book?
Yes, absolutely. We welcome conversations with anyone interested in attending. Please get in touch (movedancefeel@gmail.com) and we can arrange a friendly, informal call to answer your questions and help you decide if the retreat is right for you.
8. Is this a medical or therapeutic retreat?
No. While the retreat may be deeply therapeutic in nature, it is not a medical or clinical intervention. We do not offer medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Participants are encouraged to consult with their own healthcare providers before attending.
9. Why combine psilocybin with movement?
We believe in the wisdom of the body, which can be awakened and more easily felt through movement and embodiment practices. Both dance / movement and psilocybin experiences can be deeply transformative and powerful experiences, so to offer them as part of the same programme supports emotional release, embodiment, grounding, and expression. Dance and movement is used either side of the psilocybin ceremony, as a preparatory tool and during integration. Additional movement explorations, like yoga and walking, will be offered throughout the retreat to foster depth of connection - to the body, to our sense of self, to our surroundings and to others.
