Our Approach

At Q Retreats, we offer a unique approach to wholistic wellness through plant-based medicine, Indigenous ceremony and culture, and Psychedelic Assisted Therapy. Our retreats are designed to help you heal, empower and enrich your life. Our experienced facilitators will guide you through the process of integrating awareness into your life, and helping you to unlock your true potential.

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Weekend Retreat Journey Preparation

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It is essential to us that journeyers are connected with our community and are supported in the following ways with our 7 step process:

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1) Health Assessment

We will either call or zoom with you if you book a Mini or Day Journey Retreat and send our mandatory assessment form for you to fill out to ensure there are no contraindications, we understand your current medications and can tailor your plant based medicine directly to you. 

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2) Preparation

We will schedule a preparatory call or zoom meeting with you to talk about the health assessment, any mental health diagnoses, and traumatic events you may have experienced and to answer any questions you may have, your previous experience with medicines, and to determine your journey medicine.

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It may be helpful to slightly taper any anti-depressant medications 4-2 weeks before the journey to a lower amount in consultation with your doctor. It's best to let us know as you may have decreased or increased effects depending on the medication. The higher the dosage of anti-depressant the less effect you may feel on your journey. We recommend you work on drinking a lot of fluids, eating healthy and getting a good rest the week before.

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The night before only have a light meal and don't take any other substances if possible.  Make sure you are well hydrated before the morning.

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About before journey worry or anxiety - this is absolutely normal we all felt nervous before our first journey, remember to breathe. Developing a breathwork routine before the journey at least 30 to 7 days before will help you in the journey and in life.

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Practice this 6 minute Breathwork video every day for either 30 days or 7 days before your journey.

Breathwork Video.

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3) Journey Day

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You may not have had a good sleep as you were anxious and that's okay. When you wake up do not drink more than 1 glass of water (big or small not to worry) just don't drink too much, and limit any food to a piece of fruit like a banana, apple, a cup of grapes or any other kind of berries. Eat very lightly. Occasionally, there may be nausea so not having a heavy breakfast, and not drinking a lot will help so you are not overly nauseous. Please try not to have any caffeine - you can have a half a cup of coffee/tea if you have to.

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Smudging and Intention Setting

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Our staff will talk with you about your intentions for your journey, we will provide you with (or bring your own) an integration journal to write your intentions that you can refer back to over the coming weeks and months.

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4) The Journey

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For the next several hours you will be in a deep inner journey. You can experience many things and some have more physical effects while others have inner experiences. During the journey our staff will sit with you through the entire journey and help facilitate your comfort.

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5) Post Journey

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After the journey at our Mini or Day Retreat we will provide you with food, beverages, and talk with you about your journey. You can rest for awhile and we will bring you to your doorstep if you haven't arranged a ride.

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6) Integration

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The day after your journey (after a Mini or Day Retreat) one of our staff will call you for integration to discuss your journey experience and to answer any questions you may have. The real work starts here and you will have many reflections and thoughts and many more will come over time for weeks, months and even years, that is normal. We recommend not making any drastic life changes for 6 to 12 months post journey as they can be life changing but it's best to slowly integrate your journey into your life. Also, it's good to be aware that you may be more sensitive to conversations, to the world around you, so it's a good idea to be intentional about who you spend time with, what you watch, and what you do for at least the first week or two. You may also feel deeply energized or deeply fatigued which can go on for weeks or months. If you released a lot of historic and pent up trauma you may have a brain and body reset where your fight or flight response is relaxed (sometimes after years or decades of being continuously triggered). Your body will begin to repair and to learn to live without all of that extra adrenaline and other hormones. It's important that if you feel deeply fatigued this is your body healing and to try to step back from your regular rigorous schedule and listen to your healing playlist, connect with nature, nap when you need to, cry whenever you need as this is good and natural, try to eat and drink healing foods and beverages. Continue with the breathwork video's provided here, connect to a group of like-minded people, develop your practice even if it's only 5 minutes a day, laugh, and be gentle with yourself.

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7) Follow Up Aftercare

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For all of our special events, mini, day, and weekend retreat journeys with Q Retreats you can join our online learning community where you will work on your integration online through assignments and also have access to monthly Medicine Wheel Integration Groups online. We are with you and you will have access to the Q Retreats program, community for as long as you want. WE STAY WITH YOU!

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Group 4 Hour Journey Preparation

At Q Retreats, we offer a unique approach to holistic wellness through plant-based medicine, Indigenous ceremony and culture, and psychedelic-assisted practices. Our small-group ceremonies (4–5 hours) are designed to support deep self-discovery, healing, and empowerment. Our experienced facilitators guide you through every stage — from preparation to integration — with a trauma-informed and culturally grounded approach.

 

It’s essential to us that participants feel informed and supported. Here’s how we prepare you for your journey:

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1) Health & Medications

Your safety and comfort are our top priorities. Before attending, please complete our confidential health form and email us your current medications. This helps us understand your needs and ensure there are no contraindications. We primarily communicate by email and are happy to provide extra support there — and if you’d like a quick phone call to discuss anything personally, we’re glad to arrange one. You can also reach out on Instagram @drcherylmatthew for additional support.

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2) Preparation Tips

• Food & Hydration: In the week before, focus on healthy meals, hydration, and good rest.

• Medication Adjustments: If you are on antidepressants or other medications, please consult your doctor before making any changes. Let us know your dosage so we can plan accordingly.

• Night Before: Eat a light meal and avoid other substances if possible (for at least a few days before if possible).

• Morning of Ceremony: Eat very lightly (piece of fruit or berries) and limit water to one glass. Avoid caffeine or have only a small half-cup if necessary.

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3) Breathwork Practice

Developing a simple breathwork routine the day before or several  days before your ceremony will help calm nerves and support your journey. (We’ll provide a link to a short video you can practice daily.)

Practice this 6 minute Breathwork video before your journey.

Breathwork Video.

 

Ceremony Day

4) Arrival & Setting

Our ceremonies typically run 4–5 hours. They’re held in a group setting at our Vancouver yoga studio or at selected Interior BC locations.

Please bring:

• A journal

• A water bottle

• A pillow, small blanket, or comfort item
  (Yoga mats are provided)

Upon arrival, we’ll smudge, set intentions, and create a safe circle for the group. You’ll write your intentions in your journal to refer back to in the weeks ahead.

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5) The Journey

Over the next several hours, you’ll experience a deep inner journey. Physical sensations and emotional release are common. Our facilitators stay with you throughout, offering grounding and support.

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After the Ceremony

6) Immediate Integration

After the ceremony, some studios may offer tea or light snacks; if available, we’ll make those accessible to you. Please note participants must arrange their own safe transportation home — whether by a friend, Uber/taxi, or transit. We cannot release participants to drive themselves.

7) Ongoing Support

You may contact us by email or Instagram @drcherylmatthew for post-ceremony support. If needed, we can schedule a brief phone call to help with integration.

The real work of integration happens over time. You may feel energized, deeply fatigued, or more emotionally sensitive. This is normal. Be gentle with yourself, limit overstimulation, and lean into grounding practices such as nature walks, breathwork, journaling, or listening to healing music.

We recommend avoiding major life changes for 6–12 months after your journey, allowing your nervous system and new insights to settle.

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Key Takeaways

• Ceremonies are group format, 4–5 hours.

• Email-based intake; phone support available if requested.

• Bring your own transport plan home (no driving yourself).

• Bring a journal, water bottle, pillow/blanket or comfort item. Yoga mats are provided.

• Light snacks or tea may be available depending on venue facilities.

• Integration is ongoing — we’re here by email or Instagram if you need support.

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Ceremony Ethics & Protocols

Our ceremonies are sacred spaces. To protect the safety, privacy, and integrity of everyone involved, we ask all participants to follow these ethics and protocols:

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1. Respect for the Ceremonial Space

• Treat the studio or ceremonial space as sacred from the moment you arrive.

• Keep voices low and movements intentional.

• Please silence your phone or leave it turned off.

• No photos or video during the ceremony — the experience is for you, not for social media.

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2. Respect for Self and Others

• Everyone’s journey is unique. Refrain from comparing, judging, or interrupting another person’s experience.

• Maintain appropriate personal and professional boundaries at all times. Any form of sexualized behavior, romantic advances, or unwelcome physical contact toward other participants or facilitators is strictly prohibited and will result in removal from the ceremony.

• Consent is paramount: no unsolicited touch or conversation during the ceremony.

• If you need support, raise your hand or quietly signal a facilitator.

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3. Confidentiality

• What is shared or witnessed in circle stays in circle.

• Do not photograph, record, or post others without explicit consent.

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4. Substance & Medication Honesty

• Disclose all medications and supplements before attending.

• Do not consume alcohol or other substances 48–72 hours before the ceremony unless medically necessary and disclosed.

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5. Physical Preparedness

• Eat lightly on the day of the ceremony (fruit, tea, or water) to minimize discomfort.

• Arrange your own safe transportation home (no driving yourself after a ceremony).

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6. Participation Guidelines

• Arrive on time; doors close promptly at the scheduled start.

• Bring only items listed in the orientation email (journal, water bottle, pillow/blanket).

• Dress comfortably and modestly.

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7. Cultural & Spiritual Respect

• We honour Indigenous teachings, medicines, and practices. Please approach the ceremony with humility and an open heart.

• The smudge, songs, or prayers offered are part of our lineage — please refrain from imitating or recording them without permission.

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8. Facilitator Authority

• Facilitators are responsible for the safety and flow of the ceremony. Please follow their guidance throughout.

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9. Integration & Aftercare

• The ceremony is only the beginning. Allow time to rest and integrate afterward.

• Avoid big decisions for at least three to six months (even a year) post-ceremony.

• Reach out to facilitators by email or Instagram for integration support.

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