“There’s just such a vulnerability that leads to a deep connection when you go through a retreat like this… there’s no way you can’t grow through it.” — Taylor, psychiatric nurse practitioner and Eleusinia guest
Our most recent podcast episode features a special guest: Taylor, a psychiatric nurse practitioner from South Carolina, who joined us at Eleusinia Retreat with her husband for a profoundly personal—and professional—journey into the world of psychedelics.
Taylor’s background in mental health care gives her a discerning lens, and this conversation offers a rare perspective on what it’s like to experience psychedelic healing as both a clinician and a newcomer to the medicine.
When a Mental Health Professional Chooses a Psychedelic Retreat
Taylor has worked in inpatient psychiatry, outpatient clinics, assisted living facilities, and currently provides cutting-edge treatments like ketamine and esketamine at her private practice. Her work in non-traditional therapies sparked a natural curiosity about psychedelics—but when it came time to explore it personally, she was highly selective. After extensive research, she and her husband chose Eleusinia for their first experience.
Throughout the episode, Taylor shares:
- How her clinical background shaped her expectations, and why the experience still humbled her in ways she didn’t anticipate.
- The emotional and psychological challenge of surrendering, especially when you’re used to being the caretaker.
- Her appreciation for Eleusinia’s structure, including the emphasis on privacy, professional support, and individualized dosing.
- What surprised her the most—not just about the psychedelic experiences, but about herself.
“I thought, ‘I’ll be fine. I can do this. It’s not going to be that hard.’ And it was so hard. I laugh at what I thought beforehand. It brought me down to the real world and reminded me to be humble about what this experience really is.”
A Deeply Personal—and Shared—Experience
Taylor opens up about the dynamic of attending the retreat with her husband: the joys and challenges of sharing such a vulnerable space together, and how Eleusinia’s approach—encouraging separate, individualized experiences—allowed both of them to grow in unexpected ways.
She recalls moments of emotional intensity and the beauty of being supported—both by her partner and the staff. From a difficult first macrodose to a deeply peaceful mini-dose meditation and a heartfelt vow renewal ceremony, Taylor’s story paints a vivid picture of what an intentional retreat experience can offer.
“I’m used to being the one who responds and gives. This taught me to accept help, ask for help, and see how beautiful that can be.”
Lasting Insight, Professional Impact
What sets this episode apart is the way Taylor reflects on how the retreat experience is shaping her clinical practice. She speaks candidly about the importance of integration—something that is often underemphasized in both ketamine clinics and general psychiatry.
“You don’t just do it and the medicine does the work. You have to interpret it. You have to have support. That’s where the learning and growth come from.”
Taylor now feels more inspired to help patients find appropriate integration support and sees a growing need for more professionals trained in this essential area.
At Eleusinia, we honor the privacy of our guests. Our podcast is always audio-only, often using pseudonyms, and recorded weeks or months after visits, never during retreats.
Listen to Taylor’s full episode on Spotify or Apple Podcasts to hear her story in her own words.
