The Power of Integration: A Conversation with Beckley Retreats Facilitator Kosu Boudreau
How Psilocybin Retreats Offer More Than a Moment — These Psychedelic Retreats Offer a Pathway
There’s something extraordinary about sitting across from someone who has made it their life’s work to hold space for transformation. Kosu Boudreau is one of those people.
After nearly two decades supporting others as both a spiritual care practitioner and psychotherapist within hospital systems, Boudreau realized that her purpose wasn’t just about supporting individuals through existential pain — it was about walking with them toward profound personal growth. That realization brought her into a new realm of service: the world of facilitated psychedelic retreats.
Today, Boudreau offers preparation and integration guidance for Beckley Retreats, drawing from her extensive background in social work, theology, and psychotherapy — and from her own experience with psilocybin and other psychedelics.
In a recent Beckley Talks conversation with SVP of Growth Val-Pierre Genton, Boudreau opened up about her “why” — the journey that led her into this space.
“I love that we’re starting with our stories,” she said. “Because most of us come into this work not just because it’s interesting — but because it changed us.”
A Path That Found Her
Kosu’s shift from traditional institutions to psilocybin retreats wasn’t impulsive. It was intentional.
“I knew it was time to leave behind institutional systems and create something more personal,” she shared. That’s when she encountered the work of Dr. Gabor Maté and began exploring the world of psychedelics. “I was deeply drawn to the root causes of suffering — particularly addiction. And what I found was that many of those roots are spiritual and emotional, not just behavioral.”
That personal curiosity soon became a professional calling. Five years ago, Boudreau stepped fully into retreat facilitation — bringing her presence, training, and deep reverence into this unique space of transformation.
“This work allows me to bring all of myself,” she said. “It’s where science, soul, and service intersect.”
Integration: Where the Real Work Begins
While the peak moments of a psychedelic experience can feel expansive, Boudreau is clear: it’s what happens after that creates lasting transformation.
“These experiences open a portal,” she explained. “But the question is — what do we do with that opening?”
At Beckley Retreats, integration is not an afterthought. It’s a core part of the journey. Boudreau refers to herself as an integration specialist first, emphasizing the importance of weaving insights from psilocybin retreats into the fabric of everyday life.
That might look like:
- Rekindling a sense of purpose
- Cultivating deeper empathy
- Reimagining one’s role in relationships, work, or community
“The beautiful experience is just the beginning,” she shared. “The real invitation is to let it change how we live.”
A Belief in Human Goodness
Throughout the conversation, one theme was unwavering: Boudreau’s belief in the inherent worth of every person.
“I completely believe in the essential goodness of the self,” she said. “What we need is to be truly seen — to be mirrored back our own magnificence.”
Psychedelic retreats, she shared, can offer that mirror. Not because the psilocybin itself “fixes” anything — but because it softens the walls we’ve built around our hearts, and helps us reconnect with something ancient and wise inside ourselves.
“My role,” she said, “is to reflect back what’s already there. To help people remember what they’ve always carried.”
Advice for Practitioners Entering Psychedelic Work
For therapists, guides, or wellness professionals curious about stepping into the world of psychedelics, Boudreau offered grounded advice:
- Do your own work first.
“You have to meet your own shadow before you can hold space for someone else’s.” - Honor the lineage.
“There’s a deep well of wisdom here — learn from those who’ve walked this path before you.” - Build strong containers.
“Retreats thrive when they’re held with presence, clarity, and integrity.”
It’s this last point that has kept her rooted in the Beckley Retreats community.
“The Beckley Retreats team is deeply intentional,” she said. “The sense of care and community is palpable — and it’s felt by everyone who walks through our doors.”
An Invitation to Go Deeper
Boudreau’s story is a reflection of what’s possible when we combine experience, intuition, and thoughtful support. It’s not just about psilocybin or the psychedelic retreat experience. It’s about who we become in their presence — and who we choose to be after.
“If you feel the call,” she said, “If you feel like something in your life is ready to shift — then come to Beckley Retreats.”
Because here, the retreat is just the beginning. What follows is a journey that continues long after you’ve returned home.
Disclaimer: Our programs are non-medical and designed for personal, professional, and spiritual development. We do not diagnose or treat any conditions.
