If someone had told me a year ago that psychedelic couples therapy would be the only therapy that would take my relationship to the next level (literally) – I might have just believed you. My interest in psychedelics, especially psilocybin, had peaked in recent years – and I was fascinated with the idea of using them as treatment for mental wellbeing. And truthfully, after watching Nicole Kidman in Nine Perfect Strangers, I have never really been the same. But even when it first peaked my interest, I didn't know where to start.
My partner and I had been in a rut for a while. Becoming parents didn’t help – it only drove us further apart. We had previously tried individual and couples therapy, and although both brought insight, nothing really seemed to pull us out of the cold place that we’d found ourselves in nine years later – angry, frustrated and lacking intimacy. We wanted something that would take us to a deeper space and bring us closer together, and so we started speaking openly about what that might look like for us. I started researching couples retreats and although all sounded idealistic, nothing drew us in until we found Beautiful Space – a Dutch wellness clinic offering psychedelic couples therapy.
Finding a reputable clinic was essential; we wanted to ensure we were in safe and experienced hands. We both had initial fears about the legitimacy and safety of these kind of treatments, especially since we were venturing into unchartered territory for us. Would it be effective? Could it potentially harm our relationship further? These concerns made it crucial for us to vet potential clinics by reading endless reviews, understanding their approaches, and making sure they had a proven track record. We needed a solution that was as thoughtful and intentional as the effort we were willing to put into healing our relationship.
When I first spoke to Sarah Tilley, who is the mind, body and spirit behind Beautiful Space, I instantly felt my nervous system relax. I remember her telling me from the get-go, with so much confidence, that my partner and I would be absolutely fine. I was stunned – after only talking to me for a few minutes, how could she possibly know that? Looking back now, I understand that Sarah really didn’t need to know much – she believed in the power of the medicine.
Sarah is somebody who actually knows the magic of holistic wellness, and has worked with plant medicine for 20 years with individuals, groups and couples. Her practice facilitates shifts in awareness to the root cause of a problem using a combined method of psychedelic therapy, regression, hypnosis techniques, breathwork and guided visualisation. She has guided hundreds of altered-state journeys with music, working with powerful intention building and ongoing integration. The three-month couples program that we took part in was created with the intention of healing with guidance, and backed by scientific research.
In fact, Beautiful Space is collaborating with researchers from the Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London. They're exploring how psilocybin, when combined with psychological support, might boost relationship wellbeing through some fascinating research. So despite what many might assume, we didn’t just swallow some shrooms, trip out and talk to the plants.
It's a guaranteed way to escalate any existing problems.
Before even starting the course, we underwent thorough mental health checks to ensure we were suitable candidates for this kind of therapy. This involved detailed questionnaires, personal interviews, and consultations to assess our mental and emotional readiness. And since psilocybin isn't legal in the UK, we had to travel to Amsterdam, where the therapy is conducted legally and safely under professional care.
The preparation stage
There was plenty of ‘doing the work’ involved before the actual mushrooms part, FYI.
As hard as it can be in our society to admit, relationships are always difficult. My partner and I had reached a point where the hard had driven out any softness for each other – communication had become our biggest issue, especially after having a baby. Struggling to carve out time for each other as working parents, date nights had become a nice idea that was never actualised. Sarah recognised this early on, and gave us some exercises tailored to our issues during the preparation stage of the couples program that didn’t require complex scheduling. In the mornings of those first few weeks, we would take a few minutes before our baby (and the rest of the world) woke up, to sit together in silence, eye gaze and breathe in sync – and it was at this point I started to feel the walls coming down.
Although the meditations were (and still are) powerful, the preparation period was largely focused on our story as individuals. We spoke in detail to Sarah about our childhood traumas, difficult experiences and emotional struggles – which we would later realise we were carrying a lot of pain from – that showed up in our relationship. After almost ten years together, we had stopped trying to understand and show compassion to each other in the way we did in the beginning of our relationship – and this is how we would find our way back. Working on building our future story ahead of the medicine day made us realise we were truly aligned when it came down to what mattered, what we wanted for our family and what we wanted for each other – which is to be loved and at peace.
Medicine day
We landed in Amsterdam on a spring day, after what felt like a very long flight. My partner and I were distant, and argued for most of the journey. After three preparation sessions with Sarah, yes, we had found more patience with each other – but our crazy schedules often left very little space for connecting. The tension was thick… and honestly, the last thing I wanted to do at that moment was spend six hours tripping on psilocybin in a room with him.
After a restless night of sleep, we woke early to take a walk along the canals before Sarah joined us in person at our hotel. Mindfully, she started with a heart opening ceremony of powerful breathwork exercises as we sat across each other on the bed, taking a moment to remind ourselves why we were truly there in the first place. Despite the day before, our love bonded us beyond our issues, and we felt so sure that we could grow as individuals and as a couple through this experience. This was what we were fighting for, and it meant everything to us. We both cried after that. It felt emotional knowing what we were about to embark on together – even though in truth we didn’t really know what that would be.
The trip itself is the hardest part to put into words. If I tried to describe here what I saw during that six hour journey, it might sound random and crazy – but it was neither. As we lay side-by-side, blindfolded in a cosy hotel bed, we embarked on separate journeys that addressed frightening traumas our bodies were carrying, past narratives and questions we had relating to our identity and self.
Music created an emotional journey for us during our mushroom trip. The playlist was a blend of nature-inspired sounds, meditative tones and gentle electronic rhythms. I now understand why indigenous healers believe it to be a sacred way to reach unconscious realms during trips. Visually, it was bright and vivid for me, with memories and life narratives seen through colours and elements like water. It was as if the realm of my consciousness had exploded. We barely featured in each other's trips, but it was enough to affirm our relationship. The experience brought us both a fresh perspective, allowing us to see our relationship from new angles and understand our individual roles clearer. This newfound clarity and appreciation for each other helped strengthen our bond, even though our journeys were largely separate. Only towards the end did we reach out through the duvet covers to find each other's hand, reconnecting in a deep and intimate way.
Sarah sat in the room, guiding us the whole time, and we felt supported by her presence. She provided grounding and reassurance, offering gentle prompts and insights that helped navigate the depths of our experiences together. She was a constant reminder during moments of need that we were healing.
I can hardly remember why it seemed so scary.
The results
My trip brought up a lot of trauma that I am now refreshingly aware of. This awareness is not always easy, but it’s absolutely necessary. I understand now how my communication with my partner and my triggers are affected by my own experiences — those little arguments aren't really about the washing. I have resurfaced from a lot of my pain and am actively healing. For me, this involves journaling, consistently taking time for myself even as a mother (this is non-negotiable), moving my body, and finding time to enjoy life.
I remember our first argument after we arrived back. It was one of those petty squabbles, but the point was how quickly we bounced back after it – it didn’t cause a bridge between us and we managed to communicate our feelings with understanding for the other person. We moved through it with love.
It’s worth mentioning that after our trip my partner's aura completely changed. He had struggled with work-life balance and other emotional challenges for the better part of our relationship, and it took him away from his true self. The way he is now is the person I remember meeting all those years ago – caring, confident and spontaneous. Even though our relationship will never look like it did before, we are carving out a version that we are both excited about, a version that means we can appreciate even the woes of our love.
Sarah told us early on about her love of psychedelics and how they had helped her transcend into different worlds, guiding her to her present moment. Hearing this was euphoric, because it confirmed something for me that I believe we all need to remember – peace is within us. I've come out the other side feeling safe, in myself and more importantly in my relationship and with more awareness of self than I’ve ever had.
Beautiful Space offers wellness programs for individuals, couples, women and ongoing integration support. Prices range from £1990 - £5990. All sessions are subject to a mental health assessment and psychological screening.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and does not promote or encourage drug use or any illegal behaviour. Psychedelic drugs, including those discussed here, are illegal in many countries and should only be used in accordance with the laws and regulations of your location. Always seek professional advice and support from reputable clinics and professionals before considering any form of psychedelic therapy.
