Spirit Vine Ayahuasca Retreats

I recently attended Spiritvine, led by Sylvia, a former psychologist claiming to be an expert in trauma. Having been diagnosed with PTSD due to severe childhood abuse, including the traumatic experience of my father’s suicide, I was hopeful that this retreat could offer me some healing.

During our initial meeting, where each attendee shared their reasons for being there, I mentioned my PTSD diagnosis. To my dismay, Sylvia asserted that ‘everyone has PTSD,’ a statement I found not only offensive but also trivializing of my personal struggles with the disorder. This generalized view contradicts the well-established criteria for PTSD diagnosis as outlined in the DSM-5 and ICD, which include specific symptoms like intrusive thoughts, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and changes in physical and emotional reactions.

Her dismissal of these clinical standards and insistence on her own broad definition of PTSD, equating any trauma with the disorder, raised serious doubts about her understanding of the condition. When I challenged her perspective, she accused me of being closed-minded, ironically disregarding the established clinical definitions herself.

Moreover, it became apparent that I was the only attendee with severe trauma during the initial meeting where we stated why we were here. No one mentioned trauma, but according to Sylvia, they just don’t know they have PTSD, but everyone absolutely does. This raised doubts about Sylvia’s claims of treating trauma. It seemed she was taking on less severe cases, convincing them they have PTSD regardless of the actual reason they came, and then congratulating herself for fixing their PTSD and calling herself a “trauma expert.” What a scammer. This approach is not only misleading but also potentially damaging to those, like myself, who are grappling with serious PTSD.

Furthermore, I was taken aback by her insensitive comments regarding my difficulty with eye contact, a common issue among those with severe PTSD. She was completely insensitive and blithely unaware of this being a common issue among trauma survivors, another reason why I had serious doubts about her claims to be a trauma expert.

After our argument, she stated I am not allowed to participate in the ceremony. Also they don’t offer refunds at all. So if you come here and find out this is not the right fit for you, be prepared to lose the entire cost of the trip. I lost $3,150 USD. This is the only place that doesn’t offer any sort of refund if you decide this place isn’t the right fit for you. Another scam.

In summary, this retreat does not seem equipped to handle severe PTSD cases. Sylvia’s approach, which lacks adherence to established psychological standards, could be more harmful than helpful. Those with profound trauma should seek a space where their experiences are understood and addressed with the seriousness, compassion and expertise they deserve.