Holding Space for Psychedelic Practitioners

What if the key to unlocking the transformational potential of psychedelics lies not in the substance itself, but in the empty space around it?

In the evolving landscape of psychedelic-assisted therapy and personal growth, the role of the practitioner is pivotal. As guides in non-ordinary states of consciousness, we hold a sacred responsibility to create and maintain a safe, nurturing environment for those we serve.

Research has confirmed that “set and setting” are the key influencing factors for transformational experiences. Psychedelic practitioners hold a unique position at the intersection of these two critical elements. A recent study has identified “Holding Space” as a critical competency for psychedelic practitioners. It’s a subtle but powerful skillset often overlooked in practitioner training.

What does it take to be an anchor in a sea of cosmic consciousness?

Successful psychedelic journeys require that facilitators be possessed of heightened sensitivity and awareness, the ability to offer deep, non-judgemental listening and the capacity for discerning and offering the levels of physical and energetic containment necessary to empower journeyers to hold space for themselves.

Much of the work of developing these specialized skills begins with the inner journey of the practitioner. The most powerful way of expanding your capacity for holding space is engaging in open, dedicated practice of holding space for others AND yourself.

Join us for an 8 week intentional exploration of holding space as psychedelic practitioners.

A small group experience designed to expand awareness, courage and competence in the skills and practice of holding space. This program offers a unique opportunity to explore and hold space for your own values, emotions and growth as well as those of others. It has been especially designed to support practitioners in navigating the complex terrain of psychedelic work with greater ease, authenticity, and effectiveness, empowering you to provide profound support to those you serve while maintaining your own grounding and resilience.

Why this exploration matters

This program addresses a critical gap in many practitioner training programs by focusing on the art and science of "holding space" – a fundamental skill that can profoundly impact the quality and outcomes of psychedelic experiences.

We’ll introduce holding space as a robust context and set of tools for engaging in the practice of self inquiry and healing and explore the nuances of holding space for the unfolding of self awareness, self trust and self compassion within others.

Program Overview

Format

8 x 120-minute online sessions

Focus

Principles and practices of holding space in psychedelic contexts

Approach

Facilitated conversations and experiential learning

What You'll Learn

Over the course of the program we’ll explore twelve critical themes and core competencies divided into three fundamental areas of focus, deepening your understanding and practice of holding space in psychedelic contexts:

1. What You Offer: Qualities and Competencies of Holding Space for Others

• Explore and engage the subtle aspects of containment
• Develop heightened sensitivity and awareness
• Learn techniques to maintain a clear and supportive energetic presence
• Explore methods to empower journeyers in their own healing processes

2. What Guides You: Deepening into the Practitioner's Inner Knowing

• Cultivate a robust practice of self-inquiry and self-reflection
• Explore personal beliefs and biases that may impact your work
• Learn to navigate ethical dilemmas with clarity and confidence

3. What Holds You: Expanding Your Capacity for Being Held

• Discover practices for self-care and personal grounding
• Learn to recognize and honor your own boundaries and limitations
• Explore techniques for processing and integrating your experiences as a practitioner
• Develop a support network and resources for your ongoing growth

Throughout this experience, you'll engage in facilitated conversations, experiential exercises, and reflective practices designed to integrate these core areas. You'll also have the opportunity to:

• Experience the power of circle work and learn how to incorporate it into your practice
• Build a supportive community with fellow practitioners
• Gain tools for ongoing self-assessment and professional development

By focusing on these three interconnected areas, you'll develop a holistic approach to holding space that enhances both your effectiveness as a practitioner and your personal well-being.

Benefits of Participation

• Deepen your understanding and skills in holding space
• Have space intentionally held for you as you explore your practice
• Gain tools for ongoing self-inquiry and personal healing
• Enhance your ability to create transformative experiences for clients
• Join a supportive community of psychedelic practitioners
• Differentiate yourself in the field with these essential, often overlooked skills

Who Should Attend

This program is ideal for:

• Current psychedelic practitioners looking to enhance their skills
• Aspiring practitioners preparing to enter the field
• Mental health professionals interested in psychedelic-assisted therapy
• Anyone committed to creating safe, transformative spaces for healing and growth

Group sizes will be capped at 10 people. Spaces are issued on a first come, first served basis.

Join us on this journey of exploration and growth. Together, we'll cultivate the skills and awareness needed to hold space with profound presence, compassion, and effectiveness in the realm of psychedelic practice.

Program Details

Session Dates:

• Thursday Sept 10th 2026, 7am-9am BST / 2am-4am EDT / Wednesday 11pm-Thursday 1am PDT
• Thursday Sept 17th 2026, 7am-9am BST / 2am-4am EDT / Wednesday 11pm-Thursday 1am PDT
• Thursday Sept 24th 2026, 7am-9am BST / 2am-4am EDT / Wednesday 11pm-Thursday 1am PDT
• Thursday Oct 1st 2026, 7am-9am BST / 2am-4am EDT / Wednesday 11pm-Thursday 1am PDT
• Thursday Oct 8th 2026, 7am-9am BST / 2am-4am EDT / Wednesday 11pm-Thursday 1am PDT
• Thursday Oct 15th 2026, 7am-9am BST / 2am-4am EDT / Wednesday 11pm-Thursday 1am PDT
• Thursday Oct 22nd 2026, 7am-9am BST / 2am-4am EDT / Wednesday 11pm-Thursday 1am PD
• Thursday Oct 29th 2026, 7am-9am GMT / 3am-5am EDT / 12am-2am PDT

YOUR FACILITATOR

Chara Caruthers

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Chara Caruthers, MSc , is a transpersonal therapist, educator, researcher, and spaceholder whose work bridges psychedelics, embodiment, and community. With over 15 years of experience in caregiving, therapeutic practice, and wellness education including yoga therapy, Ayurveda, and coaching. Chara brings a deep well of personal and professional practice to the evolving field of psychedelic care.

Her work is grounded in Eastern spiritual traditions, ancestral wisdom, and modern transpersonal psychology, with a focus on facilitating embodied healing and reconnecting people to the sacred in themselves, in each other, and in the natural world. She is a certified transpersonal coach and Certified Holding Space practitioner, a program advisor and Learning Facilitator with the Synthesis Institute and faculty on The Embody Lab’s Somatic Psychedelic Facilitator Certification Program.

Chara’s research explores the inner lives of psychedelic facilitators, the art of holding space, and the synergies between ecopsychology and psychedelic experience. She is particularly interested in how community, ritual, and relational frameworks support integration and transformation.

As co-founder of IMPRINT Collective, she is pioneering holistic, community-centered approaches to psychedelic preparation and integration that honor the role of culture, ancestry, and spirit in long-term healing.

Chara speaks, teaches, and holds space with the conviction that healing is most powerful when it is relational, embodied, and rooted in a deep remembering of our place in the living world.