We have seen an increasing number of individuals experiencing re-traumatisation, loss of personal identity, heightened anxiety and dissociation through the use of Bufo. In many cases, they did not receive sufficient or adequate care from facilitators before, during or after the experience, leading to high levels of anxiety, depression, fear and other dissociative symptoms.
This masterclass shares at least three key tips and tools for working with trauma in Bufo contexts, outlines important contraindications that facilitators need to be aware of, and explores how to facilitate and administer the medicine in a trauma-sensitive way that is attuned, compassionate and safe.
Your Facilitators…
Stephan Kerby
Trauma-Informed Bufo Facilitator & Coach
Atira Tan
Head of Integration, AYA Healing Retreats & Trauma-Informed Plant Medicine Educator
“This trauma-informed plant medicine facilitation course has put language and science to the most important aspects of my work in ways I never could. This training empowered me to create safer, more integrated, and more compassionate healing containers for myself, the healers I work with, and of course our participants. I now feel that anyone working to facilitate healing of any kind should be trauma-informed as a foundational part of their approach. In fact, as we face the mounting challenges of today’s world, I feel we can’t afford to be.”
– Lara Charlotte, Co-Founder of Garden of Dreams, New Zealand.
THE IMPORTANCE OF TRAUMA-INFORMED PLANT MEDICINE FACILITATION
Being trauma-informed in Bufo facilitation is essential. In this masterclass, we’ll cover:
- Safety
Trauma survivors often have heightened sensitivities and vulnerabilities. Trauma-informed facilitation prioritises safety and minimises the risk of re-traumatisation. By understanding trauma and its effects, facilitators can create an environment that supports healing and reduces potential harm. - Trust and therapeutic alliance
A strong, trusting relationship between facilitator and participant is critical. Trauma-informed facilitation emphasises respect, reliability and clear boundaries so trauma survivors can feel safer, seen and supported throughout the Bufo experience. - Trauma triggers
Trauma survivors may have specific triggers—sensations, images or situations that evoke intense emotional or physiological reactions. Trauma-informed facilitation helps identify and minimise potential triggers during a Bufo session, making the experience more contained and manageable. - Empowerment and choice
Many trauma survivors have experienced a loss of control. Trauma-informed facilitation restores agency by offering real choices, inviting consent at every stage, and involving participants in decision-making. This sense of empowerment is central to the healing process. - Understanding trauma responses
Trauma can show up as hyperarousal, dissociation, collapse, numbing and more. Trauma-informed facilitators recognise these patterns and adapt their approach in real time, offering appropriate support to help regulate emotional and physiological responses during the Bufo experience. - Integration and aftercare
Trauma-informed care does not end when the session does. It includes thoughtful integration and aftercare. Trauma survivors often need ongoing support to make sense of their experience; trauma-informed facilitators offer resources, guidance and referrals to sustain the healing process.
By weaving trauma-informed principles into Bufo facilitation, the work becomes more attuned to the specific needs and vulnerabilities of trauma survivors. This approach supports a safer, more grounded and empowering environment, maximising the therapeutic potential of Bufo while reducing the risk of re-traumatisation.
DETAILS & INVESTMENT
Our 90 Trauma-Informed Plant Medicine Masterclass: Working with Bufo is available to watch as a recording. Your package comes with the following:
– The 90 mins Live Zoom workshop recording
– The 90 mins audio recording to download.
– Your PDF manual on trauma-informed tips and tools, along with helpful protocols and reflection worksheets for Bufo Facilitation.
“Participating in this training gave me profound insight into what I’m doing as a ceremony guide and integration & microdosing coach, illuminating areas where I can grow, and strengthen & expanding my toolbox of resources, practices, processes, protocols, and tools I already have, to be able to support people in their healing journeys even better.
Atira carries a strong and very clear vision of the importance of having a trauma-informed approach and awareness when working in this rapidly growing field of plant medicine & psychedelic-assisted therapies. Being in her presence and receiving her teachings was super inspiring and motivating to keep showing up for this special and very much-needed work.”
– JUAN MANUEL BURGOS, Microdosing & Integration Coach, Argentina.
“This program’s deep dive into the realms of living impeccable service has been nothing short of life-changing.
I remembered so much about the nervous system, about my life, about my purpose, about the bridges between paradigms and the collective trauma on the Earth. I was deeply warmed, inspired, challenged, and excited by the entire experience.
Atira transmits genuine, care, curiosity, understanding, and expertise. She is devoted to providing safe spaces for people to heal and her life’s work is a testimony to her wisdom. This body of work is a must for all.”
– MELE MAI, Art Therapist & Facilitator, Australia.
YOUR TEACHERS
Passionate about creating safer spaces for everybody, and bringing healing and awareness in the “shadowy” areas of life, Atira has worked as a trauma-informed integration specialist in retreat centers such as the Temple of the Way of Light and is currently the head of integration at AYA Healing Retreats.
Atira has mapped the trauma recovery of hundreds of PM participants in her private practice as an integration trauma specialist and co-facilitates Trauma-informed and Somatic Experiencing Plant Medicine retreats and dietas in Peru with AYA Healing Retreats. She is also the pioneer and founder of the Trauma-Informed Plant Medicine Program, of which has over 150 graduates in 2 years.
She possesses an MA in Art Therapy, has a background in Transpersonal Art Therapy and Holistic Counselling, and is a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, amongst decades of training in various other trauma-informed approaches.
Atira has also worked for over a decade internationally in community organizations and international development as a consultant, clinician, and supervisor, as well as an educator in non-for-profit settings. She is currently a Ph.D. candidate at the European Graduate School in Switzerland, researching the effectiveness of somatic and creative trauma recovery interventions for sex-trafficked survivors in Asia. Atira also has presented at numerous conferences alongside Dr. Peter Levine, Dr. Stephen Porges, Dr. Pat Ogden, and Dr. Gabor Mate, just to name a few.
The CEO and Founder of Art to Healing, an Australian charity which supports the recovery of child sex slaves, Atira has also initiated international women’s health, art therapy, and trauma-informed programs for women and girls who have experienced sex slavery and exploitation internationally for the past 15 years.
Pre-COVID, Atira taught workshops, retreats & teacher trainings in 4 continents around the globe including Australia, Europe, Asia, and South America. She specializes in supporting women, men, and children, particularly those who have experienced sexual abuse to recover from trauma, in groups & individually in her private practice and international development settings as a trauma specialist through the embodied somatic psychologies and other holistic approaches.
He is a Certified Trauma-Informed Plant Medicine Facilitator (TIPMF), Reiki Master, medicine facilitator, spiritual/life coach, herbalist, forager, and hypnotherapist. His work focuses on using 5-MeO-DMT alongside contemporary therapy and coaching techniques to support people working with birth and early-life trauma, past-life narratives, PTSD, and depression.
Stephan also runs Wounded Healers Outreach, a mentorship and coaching programme for people carrying complex trauma, especially PTSD, depression, and anger. As an integration coach, he draws on all of these modalities to help participants prepare for, navigate, and integrate sacred plant medicines and sacraments in ways that support genuine healing and growth.
“What a life-changing experience. This training is a true treasure of knowledge and wisdom and shared with a caring and loving presence.
The depth of insights into a variety of tools to create safer spaces is the most I have ever experienced in any training. However, besides the theoretical teachings, what touched me the most was how the space was held in such safety and care and naturally became the soil for our personal softening into the journey.
And with that, we were able to truly experience the effect of a teacher who fully embodies what she teaches. And that is a priceless gift I will benefit from for the rest of my life.”
– FLORIANNE WOLFHART, Trauma-Informed Coach & Breathwork Facilitator, The Netherlands
“My mind and heart are in deep amazement and gratitude as I apply all that I learned in the Trauma-Informed Plant Medicine workshop.
I highly recommend this course/workshop, not only to those who are interested in the relationship between trauma and plant medicine but anyone who is curious about understanding human relational patterns to self and society. Atira shares in-depth knowledge and expertise of trauma studies and this work is much needed in the world.”
– ELIZABETH GOTTWALD, Kambo Facilitator & Photographer, USA
