Community Hero's First Responder Healing Retreat - Ottawa, ON

Join Us for an Intimate 4 person, 6 Day, 4 Night Retreat

When you walk into the world in your uniform, you step into a role of deep sacrifice—a choice to serve others through long hours, nights, holidays, and weekends. All while standing face-to-face with humanity’s devastation, day in and day out.

At some point in our careers, without proper care for our own well-being, our mental health can begin to spiral—sometimes to a place that feels like there’s no way back. In many cases, this leads to substance abuse, chronic anxiety, depression, and PTSD.

What if healing didn’t mean coping, but actually transforming?

What if you could wake up every day feeling ready to take on your day of service—strong, grounded, and empowered?

What if you could feel joy again—truly feel it?

What if you could face challenges with more resilience and ease?
What if you had the capacity to be fully present for your family, friends, and community?

It’s time we honour our walking heroes—and offer them the same level of care and service they so selflessly give our communities.

It is an honour to give back to this community—not for personal gain, but purely out of love and a deep desire to serve those who serve others.

Guided by a former paramedic who has walked the same path and rebuilt her life from burnout and breakdown, this retreat offers a space where the uniform comes off and the true healing begins.

“I have been there. For the last five years of my nine-year paramedic career, I simply existed—living in pure exhaustion, battling clinically diagnosed PTSD, depression, and anxiety. I didn’t even know what joy felt like—I was flat. I walked your path, but I was able to transform myself from rock bottom and rise.

I offer you a space where the uniform comes off and the healing begins. A safe, judgment-free space.


I have been a part of the Canadian team that was able to gain the first legal access to Psilocybin Therapy for end-of-life destress and have become a very vocal Psilocybin Advocate. I am currently a Certified Clinical Hypnotist, Certified Natural Health Practitioner, Author, Speaker, and cast member of a docu-series streaming on TV platforms, for my success with clients in the field of mental health.

I welcome you into a space in which I have trained to use the same modalities that transformed my own mental health in an open and safe space of tranquility.”

— Tara Portelli (Former PCP) CCh CNHP

Retreat Experiences:

– Private Lake Front Cottage
– Spa Day with Thermal Baths
– Relaxation Massage
– 2 Interactive Workshops
– Sound healing experience
– Adventure Day Excursion
– Daily Movement
– 2 Psilocybin Ceremonies
– 2 Integration Group Sessions
– 2 Integration Group Sessions
– Daily Meditation & Shadow Work

(Location will be lakefront – the same as images or similar)

Contact Tara at heal@arcadiahealing.ca to Apply