The District House (Wed. 04/09 with Valerie Beltran)

The District House is a benefit of District216. Come by for a portion or all of the evening, meet amazing members + guests, and interact with speakers on a variety of topics.

Topic: "How to Master Attunement & Transform Adverse Psychedelic Experiences Into Healing"

Description: Attunement and adverse experiences are common terms when referring to psychedelics, but few talks/trainings really get into the nuts and bolts to teach the skills to navigate these important concepts. Attunement means being aware of and responsive to someone’s needs and emotions; adverse or challenging experiences happen when difficult psychological, physical, or emotional material arises.

When: Wednesday, April 9, 2025 from 5pm to 9pm (Speaker at 6:30pm)

Where: LoDo Studios, 216 E. Gutierrez Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
(Please only park across the street on the Office Max side of the lot.)

Members are Free to attend The District House evenings, and are prioritized when we reach capacity.

Guests Welcome to purchase $25 tickets (discounted from $50) to The District House evenings.

Note: We will be filming the speaker for the District216 Change Your Lens Series. Refreshments provided.

Speaker: Valerie Beltran, MFT, Director of Outreach for Zendo Project

Valerie Beltrán is the Director of Outreach for the Zendo Project, as well as an EMDR therapist and supervisor who walks a mystical path with grounded feet while integrating psychedelics, technology, and spirituality in her private practice. Having grown up with two ethnic backgrounds while living on the border between two countries, Valerie is adept at metaphorically walking between worlds, seeing from multiple perspectives, and creating bridges and integration where separation previously reigned.

Valerie was formerly the Chief of Staff for an eco-tech entrepreneur, Head of Operations for the conscious tech startup Consciousness Hacking, a trauma trainer and consultant with WestEd, and an Academic advisor at JFKU. She completed CIIS’s Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy & Research program in 2019, is a core instructor in the Psychedelics Today Vital psychedelic certification program, and has been a supervisor at Alchemy Therapy since 2020, a sliding scale psychedelic-assisted therapy clinic in Oakland, CA.

More Context on the Evening:

In over 15 years providing psychedelic harm reduction and peer support services at events worldwide, Zendo Project volunteers and staff have supported thousands of participants experiencing adverse psychedelic experiences. Drawing from this unique experience, Valerie will provide sample cases from the front lines of the "psychedelic emergency room", and offer a sampling of tangible, concrete guidance illustrating how one cultivates the inner state in which attunement is accessible, and how such a practice can positively support a journeyer through an adverse experience.

Valerie will share stories from the Zendo Project, a nonprofit that provides psychedelic care at festivals and events. This talk will introduce the core principles of psychedelic harm reduction and best practices for supporting psychedelic experiences including:

- Skills for cultivating attuned presence

- Foundations of support and language to use during difficult experiences

- How to compassionately set boundaries

- Basic de-escalation techniques

Come hear examples of what can happen when a good trip ‘goes bad,’ and how to support someone struggling in a non- ordinary state of consciousness.

Info: Meet District216 members and guests while enjoying snacks and beverages.

Info: Featuring Valerie Beltran

Info: Chat about what you just experienced and integrate a bit.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

LoDo Studios, 216 East Gutierrez Street, Santa Barbara, United States