Facilitator Training Retreat

August 9-14, 2025 Colorado Springs, CO

prices starting at $2850 (payment plans are available)

Hi, I’m Sarah,

If you’ve been seeking a way to explore, expand, and express yourself as a healer, helper, or simply someone in service, I’d like you invite you to the 3rd edition of the Facilitator Training Retreat (which is, of course, so much more than the name suggests!).

Since 2017 I have been exploring the world of plant medicine in both modern and lineage-based / Indigenous-led approaches. I have sat with teachers and elders from many different lineages and medicines and have trained under some modern-day masters.

During COVID, I decided to make my move into the world of psychedelic “trip sitting” and integration coaching. Since then, I have sat for over 400 individuals in both one-on-one and group ceremonies with psilocybin and bufo.. In my time as a Ceremonialist, I have learned that it all comes back to our shared Humanity. Using what I call the “Heart-Centered Harm-Reduction” Approach, I will guide you through a week of expansive self-exploration, playful expression, and hands-on, experiential learning.

We will stretch or capacity (physically and metaphorically) to hold more by anchoring in love, gratitude, and service.

We will practice joyful education through curiosity-based learning, discovering what it means to be both the student… and the teacher.

We will make life-long friendships (seriously) and explore life-long practices to serve our individual and collective missions.

And… we will be nourished by our amazing chef with healthy, organic, locally sourced (where possible) meals.

If you’ve been considering a path in this field of work, or if you simply desire to deepen your practice, come play with us!

Life will never be the same.

In Love and Gratitude,
Sarah

What participants can except…

  • Build Your Toolkit. Stretch Your Capacity.

    With years of experience and hundreds of ceremonies under our belts, we know what it takes to provide heart-centered care to each and every client. We also know that the path of the facilitator is one of resilience and perseverance, and that it isn’t always easy!

    Each workshop is designed to build your toolkit as a facilitator by testing your ability to respond, stay centered and grounded, and lead with a sense of humility and confidence.

  • Anchor Your Skills. Discover Your Medicine.

    Whether you have experience as a facilitator / trip sitter or you’re just getting started, this retreat will help you to anchor your existing skills and discover what “medicine” you already carry with you.

    Maybe you excel at building the perfect playlist. Or perhaps you desire to learn a new instrument or see what it feels like to sing during a ceremony. Or maybe you want to teach a class on breathwork or inner child healing. Whatever it is, we provide opportunity for play, experimentation, and co-creation.

  • Find Your Tribe. Build Your Community.

    Each retreat is vastly different, and yet every retreat ends the same way: attendees discover that they aren’t alone, they meet new friends and colleagues. And, without a doubt, by the end of the week, you will be saying “I love yous” to at least ONE other person in attendance.

    If you’ve been seeking more friendship and community, you will find it here, and hopefully this will open opportunities for professional collaboration in the future. Many of our groups still keep in touch and have developed life-long friendships.

Flow of activities…

For these retreats, we will randomly assign each participant to one of two groups: the Eagle Group and the Condor Group. Each group will be assigned and introduced ahead of the retreat, giving participants the opportunity to engage with their co-facilitators, get to know one another, and prepare their ceremony. Each group will plan their ceremony together, including the playlist or musical accompaniment, opening and closing, use of scent or other sound, guided meditation or breath, theme, or anything else that allows for creativity, guidance, and flow.

Each participant will also be asked to put together a 20-minute workshop on a topic of their choice. The only requirement is that the participant does not actively teach on this topic already. So, find something that interests you and put together a workshop that is engaging, entertaining, or educational (or all 3!). Participants will be evaluated by Sarah and the rest of the team, as well as the other retreat participants. Past topics have included mandalas, inner child work, tapping, breathwork, tarot reading, heart coherence, and more! Get creative and have fun!

  • Guests will fly into Colorado Springs Airport and plan to rideshare about 20 minutes west to our private residence where light snacks will be available upon arrival.

    After dinner, enjoy a guided sound journey before transitioning to bed for a good night’s rest.

  • Morning movement and breathwork will get the day started right.

    After a day of workshops, the entire group will participate in a ceremony led by Sarah and the other facilitators.

  • After breakfast, we will enjoy a few student-led workshops.

    Following lunch, plan for some role-playing and nervous-system regulation (past participants have said these workshops were the most helpful!).

    In the evening, the Eagle Group will facilitate a group journey for the Condor Group (with Sarah helping to guide as needed).

  • Day 4 will follow the same arch as Day 3.

    In the evening, the Condor Group will facilitate a journey for the Eagle Group (once again, with Sarah assisting as needed).

  • Day 5 is a full day of integration. With the residence backing up to a nature preserve, enjoy hiking, sit in the hot tub, go into town, take a nap… The world is your oyster!

  • The title says it all. :-(

Day 3 - 6 will each include a group “sharemony” (our fancy word for integration circle), as well as journaling, art processing, and more.

Accommodations

  • Single Queen with Private Bathroom

    This is the only room in the home that is both private and has an en suite bathroom.

    $4150 Single
    $3450 Couple (per person)

  • Loft

    The loft is in the hallway just off the main area.

    $3250 Single
    $2850 Couple (per person)

  • Shared Room with 1 Queen, 1 Twin Bed

    This room has one queen and one twin bed.

    $3450 Queen
    $2850 Twin

  • Shared Room with Private Bathroom

    This room has a private bath that is shared with the bunk room.

    $3650 single
    $3050 couple (per person)

  • Bunk Room

    This room has 2 bunk beds and shared bathroom.

    $3050 Bottom / Double
    $2850 Top / Single

  • Retreat House

    This beautiful modern home features two huge decks, 2 rooftop murphy beds, a hot tub, and miles and miles of nature trails.

  • Ceremony Space

    Our ceremonies will take place in the main room of the home, which includes a massive fireplace and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Rocky Mountains. .

  • Immersed in Nature

    Take time to rest, play, soak, or explore nature during our full day of integration. Explore the nearby town of Old Colorado City or the famous Garden of the Gods.

What our students have to say…

  • "The Colorado Springs retreat was honestly incredible. As a facilitator myself, it was so inspiring to witness what’s possible when wisdom, integrity, and heart come together so beautifully. Sarah curated every detail with so much care - from the breathtaking mountains to the nourishing meals, the cozy sleeping spaces, the live music, & the effortless flow of each day. The connections I made feel like lifelong friendships. This experience didn’t just fill my cup; it reminded me why I do this work in the first place."

    Kat M.
    Transformational Guide & Spiritual Energy Healer

  • I just can't think of anyone more suited to being a trainer for psychedelic medicines than Sarah Howat. She lives the very ideals that she teaches and is a perfect example of how to implement them. DON'T miss this! This retreat will not be like any others you have been to. They are intense, deep, personal and full of opportunity to grow and experience in a loving and compassionate environment with other like minded seekers. You will learn, in her classes, to be non judgemental and adapt to your client and so each retreat will be a bit different as these same principles will apply; each will be unique depending on the individuals participating. Sarah's calm, quiet wisdom is such a guiding light and every time I talk to anyone on Medicine, I find myself silently channeling her energy. Go to her retreats; they are worth it!"

    Jennifer K.
    Trip Sitter

  • "This psychedelic facilitator training retreat was truly transformative! Sarah‘s guidance was exceptional – her deep care, unwavering support and high-quality training, equipped me with the confidence and skills to guide others on their journeys. If you’re looking for a comprehensive program infused with heart and souI, I highly recommend it!"

    Bonita H.
    Trip Sitter

 FAQs

  • Yes and no. It’s important to have some experience with these substances. However, many of our students have absolutely NO experience with trip sitting or facilitation. Come with an open heart and mind and a willingness to learn, that’s all we ask!

  • Yes! Absolutely! And trust us when we say, you’ll make friends too. :-)

    If you choose to come with a spouse or friend, be aware that we will put you in different groups to ensure you can both have your own experience. But there will be plenty of time to hang out together!

  • If you want to be a trip sitter or facilitator, you have to know how to navigate these experiences yourself. That’s why we built the schedule the way we did - to give you opportunities to deepen your own relationship with these medicines.

  • Heart-centered harm reduction applies to more than just plant medicine experiences. It extends to all types of relationships, colleagues, friends, family. It’s about learning how to set healthy boundaries, how to remain grounded in stressful situations, and how to share your medicine - your true essence - with everyone around you. Whether or not you choose to offer trip sitting services to your clients, this retreat will benefit you in many other ways than simply training.

  • Yes! We ask for a $500 deposit to hold your spot, and you can set up the rest in payments over 2 or 3 months.

    The final payment is due in cash at the retreat.

  • Yes!

    Cancel 61 days or more in advance - 50% refund OR balance can be transferred to the next Facilitator Training Retreat.

    Cancel 31 -60 days in advance - 25% refund OR balance can be transferred to the next Facilitator Training Retreat.

    Cancel 30 days or less - no refund or transfer.

  • Yes, however these spots are typically offered closer to the start date of the retreat (usually around 30- to 45-days out. In rare cases, we can approve scholarships for those in need. Please schedule a call to discuss your particular situation and we are happy to discuss.

Push the button below to sign up for a free 30-minute discovery call to find out if this retreat is right for you (we think you already know the answer). ;-)

Are you feeling the call?