Is the retreat right for me?

Is this retreat right for me?

Choosing an intensive retreat is a big decision, both emotionally and financially. You are investing not just in beautiful surroundings and good food, but in focused psychological input, EMDR intensives, coaching, somatic practices and the potential for real, long-lasting change. Ultimately you are investing in you.

When you break down the amount of therapy, support, coaching, and care included, it represents far more than you could realistically access in the same time frame at home.

You might be wondering whether this is about therapy, coaching, leadership, team connection, or simply having permission to rest. In truth, it is a carefully designed blend and can be tailored to your own needs. It works best for people who are ready to give themselves uninterrupted time and attention and be open to new experiences.

There is no requirement to arrive “ready to transform” or under pressure to have a breakthrough. Some guests come with very clear goals, others simply need to exhale, reset their nervous system and remember what it feels like to be cared for.

Below are some of the most common questions people ask, with clear, honest answers to help you decide whether this is the right retreat, at the right moment, for you.

Who is this retreat designed for?

This retreat is for people who function well on the outside but maybe know something deeper needs attention or expansion. It is especially suited to:

High achieving women and leaders who feel burnt out, stuck or held back by old patterns
Founders, business owners and senior professionals who want space to reset, think clearly and decide what comes next
Individuals who want to work on trauma, anxiety, shame or self-worth, supported by EMDR and other evidence-based therapies
People who want to break through blocks around success, visibility, confidence, money or relationships through intensive coaching
Small teams or leadership groups who want to reconnect, build psychological safety and strengthen how they work together

You can come as an individual, or as part of a small team or leadership group, as long as you are willing to engage in both psychological work and coaching.

Is it only for people with trauma or mental health difficulties?

No. In fact, many people who come are looking to merely enhance what they already have, whilst others want to understand themselves deeply, and others to develop strategies to take life forward.

This retreat is about creating space for depth, clarity, nervous system reset and moving forward. It can help if you are holding old experiences, but it is equally relevant if you are ready to grow into a new chapter, change unhelpful patterns, or simply feel more like yourself again.

This retreat can be helpful if you recognise any of the following:

You struggle to switch off, rest or feel joy without guilt
You know there are old experiences shaping how you lead, love or show up, and you want to change that
You are successful on paper, but internally you feel exhausted, disconnected or flat
You keep hitting the same emotional or behavioural wall, no matter how hard you try to push past it
You want intensive therapy and coaching to move you forward, but you also sense that your nervous system and past experiences need attention

You do not need a particular diagnosis to benefit.

Will I be expected to talk about my past in detail in front of other people?

No. You will never be forced to share anything in the group that you do not feel comfortable sharing. Some people find it healing to speak about parts of their story, others prefer to keep personal details for individual sessions only. Both approaches are completely valid.

Group spaces are used for psychoeducation, shared themes, skills and optional reflection. The deeper, more personal processing happens in your one-to-one EMDR and therapy sessions, where you have privacy, clear boundaries and tailored support or in the group EMDR sessions where you don’t have to talk about anything you don’t want to.

What happens if something big comes up for me while I am there, will there be enough support?

Big feelings and insights are very welcome here. The retreat is designed with that possibility in mind. You will have access to experienced clinical support, planned one to one sessions and opportunities to check in if something unexpected surfaces.

If something feels particularly intense, we will help you ground, slow down and make sense of it. We can adjust your programme, build in extra soothing or stabilising work and think with you about how to continue supporting yourself once you go home. You will not be left to “deal with it on your own”.

What if I find groups difficult or feel anxious around new people?

You are not alone in that. Many guests feel anxious about groups, especially if they have had negative experiences in the past or tend to be more introverted or sensitive. We take this seriously and work carefully to create psychological safety rather than forced bonding.

From the start, there are clear guidelines about respect, confidentiality and consent. You will be invited to participate, not pushed. We check in with you, help you regulate if you feel overwhelmed, and give you options for how much you share and how you take part. Feeling unsure about groups does not disqualify you; it is something we can work with together.

By having your initial sessions before you get here there will already be friendly faces waiting for you.

What if my main goal is coaching and performance, not “therapy”?

You are in the right place. A core strand of this retreat is EMDR-informed coaching and psychological coaching for:

Leadership confidence and visibility
Decision making and clarity about your next chapter
Managing impostor feelings, self-doubt and fear of failure or success
Setting boundaries, having difficult conversations and holding your ground
Aligning your work and life with your values, rather than running on autopilot

We work at the level of both mindset and nervous system. That means we do not just talk about goals; we process what gets in the way, so that growth feels safer and more sustainable.

Is it OK to come alone, or will everyone else arrive as part of a couple or team?

It is absolutely OK to come alone. Many people travel solo and quickly discover that others are in exactly the same position. Coming alone can actually make it easier to focus on yourself, rather than worrying about how someone you know is doing.

You may also choose to attend as part of a small team or leadership group. If you do, we will talk in advance about boundaries, privacy and how to make the retreat feel safe and useful for everyone, both as individuals and as a group.

Can this work for teams or leadership groups?

Yes. This retreat can be booked by small teams or leadership groups who want to:

Deepen trust and psychological safety
Repair or strengthen relationships after a stressful period
Reflect on how you communicate, make decisions and handle conflict
Reconnect with purpose and shared values
Create space away from the office to think strategically and creatively

There is space for up to 12 people, so a small team can use the retreat for their own development, while still having access to individual sessions and time alone.

How much choice will I have between joining in and having time on my own?

You will have a lot of choice. There is a structured programme of sessions, but within that you are encouraged to listen to your body and mind. You can join group activities, share meals and connect, or choose pockets of quiet for rest, journalling, swimming or simply lying on a sunbed with a book.

If you need to step out of something for a while, that can be discussed and planned. The aim is not to keep you busy every second, but to create a rhythm of input and integration, connection and solitude, so your system can genuinely reset rather than just power through a busy schedule.

How emotionally ready do I need to be?

You do not need to feel fearless. It is normal to arrive with doubts or nerves. What matters is that you can: There is no pressure. You can choose what to engage with, and you can choose just to rest. What we ask is that you:

Be open and willing to experience your emotions, with support
Tolerate some discomfort in the service of change
Be honest with yourself about what is and is not working

We will never push you faster than your nervous system can handle. All therapeutic and coaching work is planned collaboratively, with options to pause, slow down or shift focus if needed.

Do I have to be sociable all the time?

No. You will have a lot of choice. There are shared meals, group sessions and opportunities to connect, but you can also:

Spend time alone in your room
Take quiet walks, swims or rests
Step back from an activity if you feel overwhelmed
Speak with a member of the team

You can choose privacy, connection, or a mixture of both. You are not required to share personal details in the group if that does not feel right for you.

How many people will be there?

The retreat is intentionally small. There will be a maximum of 12 participants who are all screened and assessed before the retreat begins.

This keeps the atmosphere contained and personal, allows for deep therapeutic and coaching work, and helps teams or individuals feel held rather than lost in a crowd.

What about medication, alcohol, smoking, and drugs?

You can attend if you are on stable prescribed medication that is being managed by your GP or psychiatrist. You will need to bring enough for the full stay.

This is not a drug or alcohol rehabilitation retreat. Recreational drug use is not permitted. The focus is on nervous-system-friendly, trauma-informed care, not partying. Any use of alcohol will be considered carefully in line with the therapeutic aims of the retreat. You can smoke in open areas and each room has access to a private outside garden, but we are mindful that not everyone smokes so we ask that you are too.

How much time and energy do I need to commit?

To get the most out of this, you will need to:

Step away from work and caring roles as much as possible for the duration of the retreat. During the therapy and activities we will ask that all phones are off pr handed to staff if important calls are expected
Attend preparatory sessions beforehand so we can map your history, triggers, goals and leadership or life themes
Allow some breathing space after the retreat, if you can, rather than going straight back into intense pressure

You do not need to be “on” all the time, but you do need to give yourself permission to prioritise your own process.

How much choice will I have between joining in and having time on my own?

Do I need to be physically fit to attend?

You do not need to be an athlete to benefit from this retreat. Gentle movement options are available, such as yoga, walks and time in the pool, but these can all be adapted to your level of comfort and ability. Participation is always optional, and you can choose what feels right for your body each day.

If you have any health conditions, mobility issues or access needs, we will discuss these with you in advance so that we can plan accordingly. The focus is on supporting your whole self, not testing your fitness. You are welcome exactly as you are.

Is the yoga suitable for all levels?

Yes. The yoga on this retreat is designed to be accessible for all levels, including complete beginners, people who feel “stiff” or out of practice, and those with an established yoga routine. You do not need to be flexible, strong or “good at yoga” to take part. The focus is on calming and connecting with your body, not performance.

Sophie, our yoga instructor, is skilled at reading the room and adapting sessions. At the start of the retreat she will ask about injuries, health conditions and preferences, and she continues to check in with you as the week goes on. Throughout each class she offers:

Options for different levels, so you can choose a gentler or deeper version of a pose
Clear guidance on alignment and breath to help you feel safe and supported
Alternatives for anyone with joint pain, limited mobility or balance difficulties
Permission to rest, pause or stay in a simpler posture if that is what your body needs

If you are more experienced, Sophie can suggest variations that bring more challenge and depth. If you are new or nervous, she will keep things simple, steady and grounding. Hands-on adjustments are offered with consent, and you are always welcome to decline.

You can also choose not to attend a session and rest instead. The intention is for yoga to feel like a nurturing way to come home to your body, not another thing you have to get “right”.

I have a diagnosis (for example PTSD, anxiety, depression, ADHD or autism). Can I still come?

Many guests may have one or more diagnoses. What matters is current stability and support, not the label itself. This is a neurodevelopmental and diagnosis friendly space. We will talk together about:

Your current symptoms and what helps you manage them
Any sensory, emotional or practical needs
Whether this particular format is likely to be safe and genuinely helpful for you at this point in time

If we feel that another setting would serve you better, we will explain why and help you think through alternatives.

What happens when I pay my deposit, and what if it turns out the retreat is not right for me?

When you decide to join us, you secure your place with a deposit. Once this is paid, we begin the process of mapping things out with you. This includes your first individual psychological session, where we look in more depth at:

Your history and current situation
What you are hoping to change, understand or create
Any mental health, physical health or safety considerations
Whether this intensive format is likely to be safe and genuinely helpful for you

From this point, we are holding a place for you and beginning tailored work, so your deposit becomes non-refundable after your first mapping session, except in specific circumstances where we mutually agree that the retreat is not suitable.

When might we agree that the retreat is not suitable?

This retreat is not a crisis unit, hospital or rehab programme. For your safety and the safety of others, we may jointly decide that it is not the right setting if:

You are currently at high risk of harming yourself or others
You need 24/7 monitoring or intensive medical or psychiatric care
You are in active drug or alcohol rehabilitation, or looking for a detox
You have a severe eating disorder, psychosis or another condition that is not currently stable with treatment
You have been advised by your treating team that an intensive setting would not be safe for you at this time

If, based on your first session and these criteria, we agree that attending the retreat would not be safe or appropriate, we will discuss this openly with you. In that situation, we may mutually agree that you do not go ahead, and we will help you think about more suitable services or support. A refund of 50% of your deposit will then be due

We hope this has answered some of your questions but please get in touch as we would ove to speak with you give you more information.