FAQs

About the Retreat Experience

  • Perfect — you don't need any prior experience. Many participants are somatic or art therapists themselves, but others are coming to these modalities for the first time. We'll meet you exactly where you are. The focus is on experiencing these approaches in your own body, not on having expertise. No artistic skill or somatic training is required.

  • Absolutely not. You control what you share and how deeply you engage. This is not group therapy — it's professional development with an experiential component. Many participants find that being with fellow practitioners actually creates safety because everyone understands professional boundaries. You're invited to explore, not required to expose.

  • This retreat focuses specifically on the impact of trauma work on practitioners and provides embodied tools for sustainable practice. While therapeutic shifts may occur, the frame is professional development. You'll learn techniques to integrate into your practice while experiencing renewal in your own system. Think of it as continuing education that happens to be profoundly nourishing rather than just intellectually informative.

  • The retreat runs [X days/hours per day]. Morning and core workshop sessions are essential for the group container and learning objectives (required for CEU credits). Afternoon integration time is flexible — some choose nature walks, others rest in their rooms. Evening sessions are optional. We honor that rest IS part of the work, and we'll discuss boundaries and self-care as part of the experience.

  • Yes! Meals are communal, and there's plenty of unstructured time in afternoons and evenings. Many participants find the informal connections as valuable as the formal sessions. That said, we also honor those who need solitude to integrate. You'll have your own private space to retreat to whenever needed.

 FAQs

Professional & Practical Concerns

  • Yes, this retreat offers [X] CEU credits approved by [relevant licensing bodies]. Learning objectives include: understanding somatic markers of vicarious trauma, developing embodied self-regulation practices, integrating creative assessment tools for trauma clients, and establishing sustainable frameworks for trauma practice. Full documentation provided upon completion.

  • We're approved by [list specific boards]. If your board isn't listed, contact us — we can often pursue approval for additional licensing bodies if there's interest. Even without CEUs, many practitioners find the professional development value justifies the investment, but we want you to have clarity before committing.

  • Yes! Groups of 2-3 colleagues often attend together, which can deepen your ability to integrate learnings into your shared practice afterward. For groups of 4+, please contact us directly so we can discuss how to best support your group's dynamics within the retreat container.

  • [INSERT YOUR SPECIFIC POLICY — suggested: "Full refund if cancelled 60+ days before retreat; 50% refund 30-59 days before; no refund less than 30 days before unless we can fill your spot from the waitlist. We understand emergencies happen and will work with you on a case-by-case basis."]

  • We're committed to creating space that honors diverse identities, therapeutic orientations, and cultural backgrounds. Both facilitators have training in cultural humility and anti-oppressive practice. We acknowledge that both somatic and art therapy have historically centered white, Western approaches, and we actively work to decolonize these modalities. If you have specific concerns about whether this space will be affirming for you, please reach out directly.

 FAQs

Logistics & Practical Details

  • [INSERT LOCATION DETAILS — venue name, nearest airport/city, whether transportation is provided, parking information, accessibility of the space, etc.]

  • Included: All retreat sessions, accommodations, meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner), art materials, CEU documentation, and integration resources. NOT included: Transportation to/from the venue, personal expenses, alcohol (if applicable), or optional additional services like massage. Suggested additional budget: $[X] for incidentals and travel.

  • [INSERT DETAILS — shared or private rooms, room configurations, bathroom situations, bedding provided, what to bring, etc. Example: "Each participant has a private room with [details]. Linens and towels provided. The space is designed for both community and solitude."]

  • We accommodate all dietary needs including vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and specific allergies. You'll be asked about dietary requirements when you register. If you have complex needs or concerns, please contact us directly. Meals are nourishing and mindfully prepared — food is part of the care we offer.

  • [INSERT SPECIFIC ACCESSIBILITY DETAILS — wheelchair access, mobility considerations, visual/hearing accommodations available, etc. Be honest about limitations while also showing commitment to inclusion.]

  • Bring comfortable clothing for movement (yoga pants, loose clothes), layers for indoor/outdoor temps, walking shoes, journal if you like, and any personal items for self-care. NO special art supplies needed — all provided. Dress code is casual and comfort-focused. Some participants prefer loose clothing for somatic work; others are fine in regular clothes. Come as you are.

 FAQs

Investment & Value Questions

  • We get it — this is a significant investment. Consider: What's the cost of burnout? Of leaving the field? Of practicing in a depleted state? This retreat prevents the far higher cost of professional exhaustion. That said, we offer payment plans and occasionally have scholarship spots available. If cost is a genuine barrier but you know this is right for you, reach out.

  • Yes! We offer [X-month payment plans] with no interest. Contact us to set up a plan that works for your budget. We want financial concerns to be manageable, not prohibitive.

  • We reserve [X]% of spots for practitioners facing financial hardship, with priority for BIPOC therapists and those in under-resourced community settings. Scholarship application available [on our website / by emailing us]. Please apply early as these spots fill quickly.

  • Many participants do! We provide detailed documentation of learning objectives, CEU information, and an official invoice that meets most agencies' requirements for PD reimbursement. Contact us if you need specific documentation for your agency's approval process.

 FAQs

Concerns About the Work Itself

  • Both facilitators are licensed practitioners who can assess if someone needs additional support outside the retreat container. We'll have a check-in conversation before the retreat begins to discuss your current stability and resources. If something unexpected arises during the retreat, we'll work with you to ensure you have what you need, including referrals to ongoing support if appropriate.

  • Yes. We establish a clear confidentiality agreement at the start. What's shared in retreat spaces stays there, though you're free to share your own experiences and learnings with others afterward. We take professional ethics seriously and will address any boundary violations immediately.

  • We blend structured teaching with organic, responsive facilitation. Some sessions are more directive; others follow the group's emerging needs. If something isn't landing for you, please speak up — we want feedback. That said, we also trust our process and won't abandon the container just because something feels uncomfortable. Growth often requires staying with discomfort.

  • Never forced. While there are group elements (essential for the learning and for CEU requirements), you choose your level of verbal sharing. Much of the art therapy work is individual; somatic work can be done with eyes closed. We create multiple ways to participate that honor different nervous systems and personality styles.

  • Perfect — you're exactly who needs this most! Many trauma therapists are highly cerebral (it's part of what makes you good at your work). These modalities bypass the cognitive overdrive that may be contributing to your depletion. You don't need to "get" anything intellectually. The work happens in your body and through your hands, not in your analyzing mind. Trust the process, even when your brain protests.

 FAQs

After the Retreat

  • You'll receive integration resources, recorded practices to continue at home, and access to a private online community of retreat alumni for ongoing peer connection. We also offer optional post-retreat integration calls [describe frequency/structure]. The retreat is a beginning, not an endpoint.

  • Yes! Some practitioners return annually for renewal. Returning participants often go deeper and take on informal leadership roles in supporting first-timers. We offer a modest returning participant discount.

  • Absolutely. We specifically teach practices that translate into clinical settings. You'll leave with concrete interventions while also having experienced them in your own system (which makes you a much more effective facilitator of these approaches with clients). Many participants report that techniques learned at the retreat become core parts of their practice.

Still Have Questions?

If your question isn't answered here, please reach out directly:

Email: embodyprofessionalpractice@gmail.com

Phone: Taraka Hart @ 0468 820 516 or Haritha Jonnalagadda @ 0487 202 299

We're happy to discuss whether this retreat is the right fit for where you are in your professional journey.