The Team

For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by the inner workings of the human mind(heart). What began as an early fascination with mythology, religions, psychology and philosophy transformed over time into a deep-seated commitment to spiritual practice and living a life of purpose. I will forever remember the first book I ever read on Buddhism, how it led me to embark in my late teens on a life-changing backpacking journey to Asia where I discovered both Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred use of psychedelic medicines.

It was in the Himalayan mountains that I experienced for the very first time the deep, inexpressible joy that comes from the cracking open of the heart to its own immensity, and to the inherent beauty of the web of life in all its intricacy, interconnectedness and mysteriousness. It was also then – on a meditation retreat exploring the meaning of life in light of impermanence and death – that I vowed to dedicate my life to the cultivation of wisdom and compassion, and to helping facilitate the transformations so desperately needed in our aching world. A couple of months later, I had the fortune to meet my root teacher, a Tibetan Buddhist master in the Vajrayana tradition, under whose close guidance I have studied and trained ever since. 

In the past fifteen or so years, I have spent close to a thousand days in meditation retreat – inquiring into the nature of reality, becoming familiar with subtler layers of my own mind(heart). I have obtained a degree in Social Anthropology from Sussex University, and qualified as an integrative transpersonal psychotherapist at the Centre for Counselling and Psychotherapy Education, London. In 2017, I began facilitating psilocybin-assisted retreats and co-directing the first such European programme, eventually leading to the founding of Alalaho. Starting in early 2023, I took on the role of sole director.

It has been profoundly touching to be supporting people on their own journeys of unfolding. For that is what this work is all about: the unfolding of the infinite vitality, wisdom and potential that lies at the core of our being… just like the blossoming of a lotus.

To get in touch, email jennifer@alalaho.org or visit www.jennifertessler.com

My path has been guided by a sincere longing to be of service to life, and a continuous inquiry as to how to go about that. I spent my teenage years and early adult life working on socio-economic and political issues, initially with children in India, Brazil, Peru and England, then on deforestation and human rights issues in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Papua New Guinea. I obtained degrees from the University of Oxford, Sciences Po, and Columbia University, however my most important education came from the illness and death of my mother, and the discovery of psychedelic medicines. These experiences led me to directing the first European psilocybin-retreat programme of this kind, and eventually to founding Alalaho.

Over the course of my adult life, I became increasingly focused on the inner dimensions of healing and delved deeply into work focused on the integration of body, mind and soul. I have worked with psychedelics since my early twenties, and studied in ceremonial contexts since 2017. I have also trained in various psychotherapeutic modalities with The School for Essential Counselling, participated in the MDMA-Assisted Therapy Training with the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies – MAPS (US), explored sensuality and sexuality work with different tantra and embodiment teachers, studied in shamanic lineages of the Americas, predominantly in the Lakota and Shipibo tradition, embarked on the Tibetan Vajrayana Buddhist path, and participated in a modern Mystery School training in New Zealand. No less important, I am also continuously learning through nature, dancing, singing, martial arts, my friends and my family. 

It is a tremendous blessing to be able to draw on the wisdom of each of these approaches to support my own and others’ journeys through the multifaceted nature of what it means to be a human being. Growing up has been a continuous waking up to the fact that life is very different from what I have been conditioned to believe and expect, both much more challenging and also infinitely richer, vaster and more beautiful than I could have anticipated in my wildest dreams. It is my greatest passion and honour to contribute to the creation of a culture where we open up to the unfiltered wisdom at the core of our being, become empowered to take responsibility for our lives and feel free to express our unique gifts.

To get in touch, email stefana@alalaho.org

I’ve always felt a curiosity to ask the deeper questions, a hunger to know and understand my innermost self and to live a relationally rich life of connection, purpose and meaning. As a teenager I discovered Buddhism, yoga and psychedelics nearly two decades ago.

I gained a BA(hons) degree and used my love for creativity to build a successful career as a designer in London. Whilst a joyous and formative time, the pace of life disconnected me from my true self. A severe burn-out and 8-month migraine in my mid-twenties invited me to look deeper and led me on a path of self-discovery. I left everything to follow a life long calling to travel and live in the Americas. On this 4 year journey, I worked with plant medicines in their native environments in the Shipibo tradition. I completed trainings, intensives and retreats in the Advaita Vedanta yogic traditions and Buddhist traditions and also explored embodiment, dance, breathwork & creativity as a spiritual practice. The life experiences I gained entwined symbiotically with these psychedelic and spiritual teachings; I began to connect more meaningfully with my true self, community and nature, learning how to listen to my heart, follow my intuition, lean into discomfort and trust in the unknown. This journey also readied me to face deeper traumas from my past. through years of self work, therapy and solo psilocybin ceremonies.

I went on to train as a yoga teacher, sound healer and facilitator for transformational spaces and nature connection. I led song circles and cacao ceremonies in London and at festivals. In 2018 I joined the retreats team as a facilitator. My greatest passion is to be together with others in our authentic expression and humanness, in our grief, struggle, aliveness and growth. I love to support others to be themselves and to express from the heart. I find joy uniting in song and dance and the celebration of our wild origins, in circle around the fire and under the stars. In the ways of gathering that are so innate within us and connect us to our ancestors and indigenous belonging. I love to bring nature connection into the work, weaving in time to learn, build relationship and draw resource from the land around us. It is a deep honour to do this work and sit alongside others on the journey.

I am committed to my own ongoing growth and am currently studying various psychotherapeutic modalities with The School for Essential Counselling, Integrative Somatic Parts Work with The Embody Lab, alongside training to become an accredited coach. I have also completed The Path of Love, the Essentials course at Psychosynthesis and multiple trauma trainings with Carolyn Spring.

Hi! I’m Jonah. I’m an Integrative psychotherapist and systemic group therapist.

I grew up in the North of England, with my mum and brother in a working class farming community. I fell in love with music from an early age and was writing and performing in different settings from around thirteen years old onwards. After going to music college and then completing a BA in Music I toured in bands, playing all sorts of genres from Japanese folk to psychedelic rock to Balinese gamelan. I started training as a therapist in my early twenties whilst I was working as a musician. I had discovered to my distress that the incredible transcendent experiences possible through music didn’t take away or heal the pain and lostness I felt in the rest of my life. It’s been a journey of grounding and simplifying. Stopping what was a relentless search for peak experiences, and learning how to live. Becoming a father and an available partner. building a home, and enjoying the simple things.  I’ve worked with Alalaho and the team for six years now. I live with my partner and child in a little cottage in a little village in a little country called England.

I love working with people and with groups, and I find it humbling to be alongside people as they explore and deepen into themselves. I have had almost twenty years of psychedelic experiences, mainly in ritual and ceremonial contexts and believe psychedelics are an amazing addition to doing this as we all find ways to respond to the challenges and possibilities of living. The way they can reconnect us with creative, spiritual, mystical and playful aspects of our lives is constantly amazing to me. I believe in the capacity of humans to find what they need, and know from my own experience that the simplest things can be life-changing – gardening, cooking, dancing, playing sport, laughing. My deepest hope for this work is that safe, well held and interpersonal psychedelic experiences become much more available and commonplace in our society, transitioning from esoteric and exclusive peak experiences towards simply one more way people can feel more connected to themselves, each other and the world around them.