8 - 12 october 2025 | PRICES FROM €1,700

A deep healing experience for mothers

Monchique, Portugal

With Hannah Staunton and Mary Bonett

 
 

What parts of your motherhood journey have gone unseen, unspoken, or unprocessed?

Are you a mother seeking space for yourself to honour this monumental transition?

Imagine being sat in a sacred circle of other women – finally having the community you’ve been craving for so long.

Imagine finally having the space away from your day-to-day to reclaim and remember yourself.

A space to return to yourself. 

A space to be held.

A space to unravel.

A space to connect. 

A space to process your story.

The initiation you never had.

Join an intimate group of mothers and be held through deep inner healing coupled with rest, connection and joy.

A sacred break just for you — step out of the day-to-day and step into an opportunity for transformation.

This retreat will be a journey of transformation specifically focused on the unique experience of matrescence – the rite of passage of becoming a mother.

Mothers do not recieve adequate support through the initiation of motherhood, and through this retreat we will be creating space for you to reflect upon and re-visit aspects of your motherhood journey, no matter how long you have been a mother for.

At the core of this retreat is womanhood, deep healing, compassion and joy. A chance to be held and fully witnessed in your unique and multi-layered experience of this big life transition.

The retreat will weave various practices to honour your mind, body and spirit. You will be guided through self-reflection and contemplation, somatic and emotional processing, group processing, ritual, a sacred psilocybin ceremony, yoga, embodiment and deep rest practices.

There will also be lots of space to just be and do nothing.  Lay by the pool in the early October sun, relax, read, walk in the surrounding nature, and connect with other mothers — all while being fed wholesome food to nourish your body. 

Safety is at the heart of everything we do and this journey also includes pre-retreat preparation, as well as post retreat group integration for a month, and optional 121 integration support.

 

What to expect

Imagine, blinking your eyes open to the morning Portuguese sun cascading light across the neighbouring hills, you stretch and take your time to peacefully get out of bed.

You walk down the stairs, met by the smell of freshly brewed coffee, a table laid with fruits, snacks and orange juice fresh from the orchardprepared for you with love.

Your bare feet walk outside and your lungs meet the fresh autumn air — you sit back, coffee or tea in hand, and gaze across the vast horizon towards mountains and forests. You fully exhale. Warm sun basking across your face — the perfect temperature.

A fellow mother sits contently across the garden, also enjoying this serene moment that doesn’t come around often. Your eyes meet one anothers and softely smile — a moment of connection, combined with a knowing recognition of how precious these slow mornings are.

A rememberance that this is how it was supposed to feel — you’re not alone.

You dress and make your way to the shala space, where yesterday’s practices and ceremony was held — you feel light, you feel vibrant, you feel like something big has shifted.

You sit next to another woman and mother you have been connecting with over these past days — you both lean in for a hug, you feel held.

You move your body on the mat — a feeling of freedom and ease after days of yoga, movement, swimming and breathwork.

The remainder of the group arrive and welcome one another with hands on knees, smiles and embraces. You feel a sense of belonging.

Finally, a group of women you can open up to, without feeling embarrassed or judged.

Finally, you have space between your thoughts, without distraction.

Finally, you feel grounded, seen and held – ackowledged in your unique journey of motherhood.


You will recieve

  • Qualified and experienced facilitators creating a safe and transformational experience 

  • One sacred psilocybin ceremony

  • Daily yoga/ movement, meditation, somatic enquiry, embodiment and self-reflection practices

  • Sharing circles and group processing

  • Rituals

  • Themed workshops – e.g. boundaries, identity, grief, the maternal body

  • Pre and post retreat preparation and integration calls

  • A highly personalised experience in a small intimate group of women

  • Optional bodywork sessions

  • Luxury accommodation in shared or private rooms

  • Time to rest, read, nap, swim in the pool, spend time in nature and connect with other mothers

  • Beautiful location in the Serra de Monchique mountain range, southern Portugal 

  • Organic, nutrient dense and locally sourced food prepared by our experienced chef – the menu will be specifically supportive to nourish mothers’ bodies and minds

Join Hannah and Mary on a journey for your soul…

Meet the Team

  • A woman sitting on the floor holding a young child in her lap, with a large window showing green foliage outside. The woman appears peaceful with her eyes closed, and there are items like a water bottle, a book, and a pillow around her.

    Hannah

    Hannah is an Integrative Somatic Psychotherapist, Yoga Instructor, Perinatal Therapist and Mother, originally from the UK. She has been living in Portugal since 2020 and works both online and in-person as a therapist alongside running retreats and events for women and mothers, and their babies.

    Hannah has years of lived experience working with psilocybin and other plant medicines, and has a deep respect for the cultures and traditions from which they derive. Mary and Hannah first met during a plant medicine ceremony in Aljezur, Portugal in 2021 and have been close friends and colleagues ever since.

    In her spare time you can find Hannah in nature with her two year old son, partner and dog, hiking and exploring new places, singing, dancing, laughing and eating good food.

  • A woman with curly hair smiling outdoors at sunset, wrapped in a colorful patterned shawl.

    Mary

    Mary is a Somatic Therapist, Psychedelic Facilitator, Yoga and Somatics Teacher and Doula, with over a decade’s worth of experience working with people in recovery from physical and emotional trauma, survivors of domestic and sexual violence, those struggling with substance misuse and facing mental health challenges.

    Mary also has years of personal experience working with psilocybin and other plant medicines alongside facilitating healing ceremonies for groups and individuals.

    Mary brings her light and bright humour, care and love to support your experience to feel held and safe.

    In her spare time you’ll find her singing, walking, making music, making clay objects and generally resting as much as possible.


This is for you if

  • You never had the space to process birth trauma or your experience of giving birth

  • You didn’t recieve adequate support during pregnancy and through becoming a mother

  • You have older children and want to re-visit aspects of motherhood that were challenging for you

  • You are navigating a difficult part of motherhood e.g. early years, children starting school, adolescent years, children leaving home etc

  • You want to re-write parts of your motherhood story

  • You identify as a mother but experienced pregnancy loss

  • You had a difficult time conceiving and still feel the impact of this

  • You never got to experience becoming a mother as a rite of passage and would like to honour this life transition

  • You crave to meet other mothers, connect and sit around the fire with them

  • You crave being held in sisterhood through a transformational and intentional healing experience

 

A chance to meet and heal forgotten parts of yourself with compassion and curiosity.

Return to yourself, immerse yourself in nature and connect with a powerful group of mothers.

 
 
  • 1. Book a free discovery call

    If you’re unsure if this is for you, book a free discovery call with Hannah and Mary to ask any questions.

  • 2. Sign up & Wellbeing Form

    Confirm your desired room and complete the wellbeing form.

    The wellbeing form helps us to understand your health history, in order to safely support you on this journey.

  • 3. Pay the deposit.

    Confirm your space by paying a €500 deposit. The remaining amount can be paid in full or as a payment plan.

  • 4. Group preparation call

    2 weeks before the retreat starts, meet the other women at the online group preparation call.

  • 5. The Retreat

    The 5 day immersion in the mountains of southern Portugal.

  • 6. Integration calls

    We will gather again twice post-retreat.

    Group call 1: within 10 days of the retreat.

    Group call 2: one month after the retreat.

    *Times for all calls will be based on group availability.

The location

Casa de Cura is a hidden healing village in the rolling mountains of the Serra de Monchique in the Algarve, Portugal. It is an off-grid retreat space deeply rooted in the earth and authenticity. Within this space you will be gently guided to embrace the slow, soft, and simple rhythm of mountain life - bringing you back to nature to return home to yourself.

 

01 / LUXURY GROUNDS

Surrounded by the abundant nature of the Serra de Monchique mountain range, Casa de Cura offers a lush, green contrast to the sun-soaked beaches the Algarve is best known for. If you wish to explore the rest of the Algarve we recommend staying for a few days after the retreat to explore the beaches at a less busy, but still warm and beautiful time of year.

 
 
 

02 / cosy corners

The venue offers many nooks to read, meditate, contemplate, journal or sit and drink coffee in the afternoon sun.

Spend time breathing in the warm and sweet mountain air, basking in the healing Monchique sunshine — reading quietly under the olive trees with your bare feet on the earth. 

In the garden you can meander through the fruit trees, snooze in the hammock between the olive trees, and gather around the old and wise ’Bodhi Tree’.

03 / THE SHALA AND MEDITATION DECK

Casa de Cura’s Shala is nestled in the garden behind olive trees and hidden under Wisteria vines.

In addition to the Shala there is a Meditation Deck elevated on the first floor of The Mill — the perfect place for a sunrise meditation.

 
 

04 / MOUNTAIN THERAPY

Nourish your nervous system in the mountain air and night skies, watching the moon rise, and gazing at the Milky Way.

04 / UNWIND BY THE NATURAL POOL

‘The Pond’ (a natural pool) is the ideal spot to bask in the magical mountain water while integrating your practices.

Words from my students

Pricing & Rooms

 

You can book a private single, twin or triple room depending on availability. 

Triple room €1,900: EARLY BIRD €1,700

Twin room €2,200: EARLY BIRD €2,000

Single room €2,500: EARLY BIRD €2,300

A €500 deposit will be required when signing up to secure your place. Payment plans available.

*Local/ resident offer available upon request — get in touch to find out more.

 

What’s included?

  • Daily yoga/ movement, meditation, breathwork, somatic enquiry, embodiment and self-reflection practices

  • Sharing circles and group processing

  • Rituals to support the initiation of motherhood e.g. grief ritual, fire ritual

  • Themed workshops – e.g. boundaries, identity, the maternal body

  • One psilocybin mushroom ceremony

  • Personalised pre and post-retreat support

  • Accommodation in a private or shared room depending on availability

  • Pre-retreat calls - health and wellbeing screening and one group online preparation session

  • Post retreat integration work including 2x online group sessions and optional 121 therapy sessions with Hannah or Mary

  • Delicious menu prepared with local and organic ingredients to support the mother’s body

  • An intimate group of 10 women

  • Discounted rate (access for €195) to The Mother Portal online group programme to continue the self-work — this will be running after the retreat at the end of October/ start of November 2025

What’s not included?

  • Travel to the retreat venue

  • 121 de-armouring bodywork sessions during the retreat – this will be paid directly to Alessandra, the practitioner

  • 121 sessions with Hannah and Mary before/ after the retreat – these can be booked at an additional cost with a discounted rate

Travel information

 

01 / PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Casa de Cura’s closest town is Monchique, a 15 minute car ride away, which is accessible by bus and train. FlixBus operates between many locations in Portugal. Check the national rail options here.

02 / driving

You can drive from Lisbon in just under 3 hours. There may be an opportunity to car share from Lisbon and surrounding areas.

03 / FLYING

The closest airport is Faro, only a 50 minute drive away from Casa de Cura. Ubers and regular taxis are available to book directly from Faro Airport for a very reasonable price.

Book a free discovery call or sign up below

I don’t need a call — Sign me up!

 Frequently Asked Questions

  • To apply for the retreat, please complete the confidential form above. The form will include questions about your medical history, experience with psychedelics, and motivations for attending the retreat. You will need to pay a €500 deposit to confirm your space. If you are unsure and have some questions, you can book a free discovery call with Hannah or Mary here.

  • A deposit is a partial payment made in advance to secure your spot at the retreat. It helps us manage reservations and ensures commitment from participants.

  • The deposit is €500. Generally, deposits are non-refundable.

    However, the deposit will be refunded in full if for any reason (e.g. retreat is full due to limited places, or medical reasons) we believe there is a contraindication for participation.

  • The full payment deadline is 15 days before the retreat.

  • In the rare event of a retreat cancellation, you will receive a full refund of your deposit and any additional payment you have made.

  • No. No prior experience with psychedelics is required, but we recommend that participants are open to the experience and know that some potentially big shifts may occur due to your experience. It is helpful to have a sincere desire to explore your personal growth and transformation during this process.

  • Yes, all participants will undergo a confidential health and wellbeing screening before attending the retreat, to ensure that psilocybin is safe for them to consume. We take participant safety very seriously and strive to provide a safe and supportive environment for all attendees.

  • Some potential factors that could preclude someone from attending a retreat include certain medical conditions, such as a history of heart disease, or if you are taking certain medications that could negatively interact with psilocybin. And some mental health conditions. All of this is covered in our medical screening.

  • We recommend that you do your research to determine whether a psilocybin retreat is right for you and if necessary, speak with your mental health professional. It is important to approach the experience with an open mind and a willingness to explore personal growth and transformation.

  • Our experienced facilitators will guide participants through comprehensive preparation and integration practices before, during and after the retreat, to ensure a safe and transformative experience. This includes dietary guidelines, meditation, movement and mindfulness practices.

  • Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain species of mushrooms, also known as "magic mushrooms."  It belongs to the class of drugs known as tryptamines and is structurally similar to the neurotransmitter serotonin. When ingested, psilocybin is metabolised in the body into psilocin, and can produce altered states of consciousness, including changes in perception, thought patterns, and mood.

    Research has also shown that psilocybin has therapeutic potential for treating mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, addiction, and end-of-life anxiety in patients with terminal illnesses. 

    Psilocybin has been used for centuries in various cultural and spiritual practices and rituals.

  • When used correctly, psilocybin is one of the safest drugs to consume, having no detrimental effect on long-term mental health. However, our programmes are not suitable for people with a history of psychosis, bipolar, schizophrenia, suicidality or suicidal ideation, clinical depression or diagnosed personality disorders, or those who are dealing with serious addiction or substance misuse issues. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your mental health and/or addiction issues and potentially working with us, we will cover all of this in your health and wellbeing medical screening.

  • There is currently insufficient research on how psilocybin or its active metabolites may pass into breast milk, and what potential effects it could have on an infant’s development.

    Out of an abundance of caution, we kindly ask that guests who are currently breastfeeding pause breastfeeding for a window of time after the ceremony — ideally a minimum of 3 days.

    We know of many women who have continued breastfeeding after taking psilocybin, but this choice is to your discretion.

    Your wellbeing and that of your child is our top priority, and we encourage you to reach out to us privately if you have any questions or would like support exploring your options.

  • Reflecting on your intentions for the retreat will help you to prepare for the rituals, workshops and other elements of the retreat. There is no necessary preparation required and the group preparation call will help you to connect to the journey you will embark on before, during and after the retreat.


    We also completely understand that, depending on the age of your baby(s)/ child(ren), you might feel some anxieties about leaving them. Anything you can do to support yourself in the lead up and during the retreat will be beneficial.

  • Yes, absolutely. We are very aware how precious rest and alone time is for mothers and have created a schedule that will honour this. The venue has a pool and many spaces for you to read and relax. There will also be ample time to connect with one another between sessions and during meal times.

  • Of course. We completely understand leaving your family at home can be difficult, especially if you have a smaller baby or toddler, or multiple children. Being as present in the experience as possible is advised, but you will have access to your phones during the retreat and there will be Wi-Fi available. We only ask that you don’t use your phones during the workshops, practice sessions and the ceremony. 

    We will provide our contact information and will also ask for emergency contact details of your family, to ensure that there is an accessible line of communication between you and your family during the retreat.

  • We completely understand leaving family and small children at home for multiple nights can be challenging, so we want to make this as easy for you as possible.

    There is accommodation options close to the venue (the closest being a 4 minute drive) for anyone wanting their partner/ family and little one(s) close by.

    If this is you, speak with Hannah and/or Mary about this so we can recommend accommodation next to/ close by the venue.

  • Unless you have partners/ families/ little ones staying close by that you need to visit to breastfeed etc, we recommend staying within the grounds as much as possible to keep the containment of the group.

    The venue and surrounding area provides ample space for you to wander and explore if you’re keen to stretch your legs.

  • Yes, we will ensure there is space in the freezer and fridge if this applies to you.

  • Yes, the retreat includes 2x online group sessions and additional optional 121 sessions with Hannah or Mary (online or in-person depending on your location).