Facilitators

Over the course of the last 35 years, Zach has found himself in the center of the psychedelic movement with a front row seat for the modern renaissance while also having first hand knowledge of the historical legacy of the counter cultures influence on psychedelic healing.

After spending many years as a digital marketing expert for some of the worlds largest brands, Zach had a wake up call over 10 years ago that thrust him back into the center of the psychedelic cyclone thanks to the influence of his primary teacher and mentor, Ram Dass. Since, then he has found his own unique voice and method in being able to contribute to the revolutionary new psychedelic movement we find ourselves in.

As a health and wellness facilitator, integration coach, guided session therapist and seeker of all things mystical – Zach has worked with nearly 100 people one on one to help them heal with the assistance of psychedelic medicines. And as a teacher, Zach has taught over 50 people his unique approach to psychedelic studies, safe use and harm reduction, the history of psychedelics and how to be a well rounded, knowledgeable and safe practitioner.

Zach currently hosts The MAPS podcast and has in depth knowledge of the groundbreaking protocols from Johns Hopkins and MAPS and is a trained meditation teacher, IFS coach and expert in the history psychedelic culture and methodologies.

As an author, Zach’s first book “And Now, The Work Begins – Psychedelics in the 21st Century and How to Use Them” will be published by SoundsTrue in late 2023.

Chris Becker has extensive experience with sacred plant medicines and their holistic use for healing and spiritual growth. He is author of the book Healing with Psychedelics. He also has a long Buddhist meditation practice, continuing to his current everyday practice. In addition to extensive practice with sacred medicines, he is trained in Hakomi and Internal Family Systems (IFS) psychotherapy as well as Tamura Method touch therapy. Chris had a long satisfying career as a scientist that he has retired from, with a Ph.D. in chemical physics, 130 peer-reviewed scientific publications and 20 U.S. patents. His training in science, along with his meditation practice, has sharpened his observation powers. His meditation practice along with his work with sacred plant medicine has helped open his heart to great compassion.

Tiffinne is a psychiatric nurse practitioner that is excited to bring her extensive healthcare experience from the VA and New Pathways Clinic to serve our clients at Evolution Retreats. Her specialties include PTSD and depressive disorders. She has seen up close the real-life consequences of psychiatric disorders on the individual person and the family unit. As a military veteran herself, she understands PTSD and Military Sexual Trauma. Tiffinne also specializes in caring for individuals who seek to improve their overall health with weight reduction strategies. She supports her clients in making the best decisions for themselves and approaching mental health and wellness as a whole in a caring and compassionate manner.

Jennifer is the owner and director of Stella Luna Counseling and Wellness, a holistic therapy and wellness practice. Jennifer and Stella Luna’s practitioners specialize in the treatment of trauma, depression, grief, anxiety, and relationship concerns. They provide therapy, EMDR, Ketamine Assisted Therapy, mindfulness training, and breath-work in a non-judgmental space. Jenny is trained by MAPS in Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy for MDMA and provides Ketamine Assisted Therapy, bringing valuable professional training and experience to our team.

We are excited to have Jennifer as our Clinical Director to counsel us on our intake requirements and safety guidelines. We trust Jennifer to help us make educated decisions on whether Psilocybin therapy in Jamaica is ethical and appropriate for you. In addition to her role as Clinical Director, Jennifer will also be a part-time facilitator when she can manage the time with her commitment to her family of five and Stella Luna.

Brandon Varnadoe is a co-owner and the acting Chief Operating Officer of Evolution Retreats in Negril, Jamaica. Brandon has trained under Zach Leary as a psychedelic facilitator and has years of experience in the hospitality industry. Brandon graduated from Cleveland State University with a bachelor’s degree in International Relations with a focus in business. Motivated by his travels and interest in world cultures, Brandon has always dreamed of a way to connect people from around the globe. A natural communicator, Brandon speaks English, Italian, Spanish, and is always working on another language so he can help provide access to psilocybin to the global community.

Along his journey, he had transformational experiences with psilocybin, and believes that everyone should have an opportunity to explore its therapeutic values in a safe and personalized environment. He firmly believes that this life changing therapy will thrive in culturally rich and beautiful country of Jamaica through Evolution Retreats and moved to Jamaica himself. Brandon’s objective is to combine his past experiences from hospitality that he has seen across North America, South America, and Europe to ensure Evolution Retreats is perfect setting for an enriching psilocybin experience.

Avi Esther is a trained and very experienced trauma informed transformational guide, psychic, and metaphysical healer. With certifications in hypnosis, NLP, creative healing technique, tantra, birth doula, rebirther, ancestral healer, earth wisdoms and psychic development teacher. 

She has been working professionally with healing herbs since 2010 and entheogenic mushrooms since 2017. Avi Esther specialises in work with the Amanita Muscaria mushroom in a non psychoactive healing as well as in a journey capacity. She has facilitated deep transformative healing groups since 2012 with and without entheogenic allies. 

Studying tarot and mystic arts since 2000 and working as a complimentary childbirth coach since 2009,  She has studied and worked in dance, performing & fine art, digital & video arts since 1990 and received a Bachelors in Communication Arts and Design 2005. 

Natalia Brajak is a Registered Psychotherapist and co-founder of Moksha/Modo Yoga.  She has worked in the wellness realm for almost 25 years.  Her transition from banking to yoga studio owner and instructor in 1999 initiated a life-long love affair with exploring different healing modalities.  Always curious about the human condition, Natalia’s studies in psychotherapy began with Transpersonal Psychotherapy, Gestalt methods and spiritual approaches.  Deep immersion in Buddhist meditation with the Vipassana organization offered deep teachings on the nature of suffering.  Her connection with psychedelic medicines began 20 years ago with psilocybin, MDMA and Ayahuasca, which has afforded her a unique lived experience with long-term integration.  Living with one foot in this world and one in the spiritual realm is where she is most comfortable.

Her somatic training includes yoga and ELDOA.  Her therapeutic approach is eclectic and she draws from many modalities such as IFS, ACT, Gestalt, psychodynamic as well as energy and sound work.  In her private practice, Holistic Therapies for Modern Life, she believes that the most important foundation for effective therapy and integration is the therapeutic relationship between client and therapist.  Natalia is grateful to be able to support people in the efforts of harm-reduction, education and bettering their experience of life with all that it brings.  It’s not about making life perfect- it’s about seeing the perfection of life.  Contemplating nature and the movement of energy is what occupies her attention in between running her practice, being a single mom and dabbling in creative passions.

Tyler is a psychotherapist with over a decade of experience in mental health, ranging from working at a fire department as a crisis intervention specialist, to coaching healthy individuals seeking to improve their lives, to caring for severely depressed and psychotic patients on a psychiatric intensive care unit. In addition to facilitating retreats with psilocybin at Evolution Retreats, he also conducts ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, runs a private practice, and provides psychedelic integration coaching.

With an approach that is compassionate, solution-focused, and grounded in the latest research, he uses a variety of tools based on mindfulness, clinical neuroscience, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. Psychedelic medicine can guide you to greater insight, happiness, and fulfillment, and Tyler’s approach harnesses this exciting new technology to help you wake up, connect with yourself, and appreciate the fullness of each moment of life.

Stormy is a certified psychedelic integration coach with extensive experience in the field. She has been facilitating psychedelic journeys and providing preparation and integration services for years.

After graduating with a degree in dental hygiene, Stormy began her transformational journey to heal herself with psychedelics. She quickly realized the power that psychedelics hold when used in a responsible way and began building a community online to promote harm reduction, safe and responsible use, and integration. Soon after, she completed training courses to become an integration specialist and opened her own practice, providing integration services for multiple ketamine clinics across the United States. In addition to integration coaching, she has also been trained in addiction recovery, transformational coaching, cultural competence, and trauma-informed work. Stormy believes integration is imperative to achieving long-lasting positive changes after a psychedelic journey. It is her mission to help clients with this process, turning their mystical experiences into valuable lessons for their own journey through life.

Along with her passion for psychedelic medicine, Stormy has a deep love for nature, animals, and traveling to experience different cultures.