Relationship Resources

Relationship Resources runs Cultivating Joy, a series of four-day ketamine-assisted mindfulness retreats at Menla Retreat and Spa near Phoenicia, in New York’s Catskill Mountains, for individuals, couples and mental health professionals. Its founder, Jayne Gumpel, a licensed clinical social worker, leads the retreats.

Approach

Gumpel has practised psychotherapy for 30 years in New York City and Woodstock, trains clinicians in psychedelic integration psychotherapy, belongs to the ketamine-assisted psychotherapy team at the Woodstock Therapy Center and has completed MAPS training in MDMA-assisted therapy. She also teaches mindfulness-based stress reduction. Her son and co-founder, David Gumpel, is an integral master coach and MBSR teacher. On the individual retreats, ketamine is optional across three sessions, alongside meditation, breathwork, poetry, art and group circles. Doses start light, and from the second day a physician helps each participant decide whether a stronger dose suits them.

Who it is for

Upcoming retreats cover grief and joy (October 2026), intimacy for couples (April 2027) and ageing (June 2027). No psychedelic experience is needed. The retreats are not for anyone in acute mental health crisis or with unmanaged psychiatric conditions, and the couples retreat is not meant for couples considering divorce.

Practical details

Fees have been listed at $2,150 to $2,950 per person, for groups of 10 to 35, with housing at Menla booked separately. Half the fee is due as a deposit and the rest 45 days before arrival, payments can be spread, and partial scholarships are offered to people from oppressed communities.

Care and safety

Each applicant has a Zoom screening call with Jayne Gumpel, a medical screening with a physician and a group preparation call. Recent brain injury, psychosis, uncontrolled high blood pressure or an active substance use disorder can rule ketamine out. Physicians are on site throughout and prescribe the ketamine through approved compounding pharmacies.