An increase in loneliness and depression over the last few years means seeing a therapist has become the norm for many people. Over 43% of Americans have visited a counselor at some point in their life.
A weekly visit to a trained mental health professional is an effective way to deal with a myriad of issues.
However, often our therapists are overworked and stressed too. They have a tiny window in which to help you with your problems. Once a week is a very minimal amount of time to spend with a therapist.
Imagine you have a dedicated therapist who can help you and support you over the course of a few days. Do you think your healing process may happen more organically?
At a therapy retreat, you have the opportunity to go deep into learning about yourself and how to improve your life wellbeing. Let’s take a look at what you should expect when attending a therapy retreat.
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Why Attend a Therapy Retreat?
There are numerous reasons people may choose to attend a therapy retreat. Everyone is different and has varied personal issues they want to work on.
These issues include but aren’t exclusively; self-esteem issues, feelings of failure and shame, communication issues, relationship issues, career problems, and challenges with addiction.
Some people may want to work through childhood trauma or overcome a specific incident that has happened during their lifetime.
Who Leads a Therapy Retreat?
At an intensive therapy retreat, you will work with trained mental health care professionals to address some of the issues in your life. The retreat is usually a combination between evidence-based, scientific health care and more holistic approaches.
The experts present at your retreat will give you exercises to help you assess and then work through processing your traumas.
Depending on the retreat you attend, different types of therapy will be used. You may be encouraged to use visualizations, make lists, do energy work, or talk through your emotions with your therapist.
Get the facts on different therapy methodologies before you go on a retreat. That way, you will know a little more about the type of therapy you should expect. There are numerous ways to treat different afflictions; what works for you is very individual.
Time for Learning
As well as counseling sessions, a mental health retreat will teach you new things. You will learn about methods and techniques to deal with your problems.
You will perhaps learn to understand some of your triggers and recognize what is causing significant problems in your life. The experts hosting your retreat will also teach you coping mechanisms.
Make the most of being surrounded by so many experts. Perhaps prepare a list of questions for them before you go to the retreat. Then you can ensure you learn everything you want to know.
Time to Build New Habits
The idea of a therapy retreat is that you are taken out of your everyday life. You will spend a few days in a retreat center to focus on the healing work.
In the absence of daily distractions, you will be surprised by how much you will notice about your behaviors. You will likely see certain things about yourself. You can then work on understanding how to build new habits that will change your life permanently.
Time for Self-Reflection
Another aspect of a wellness retreat will likely be self-reflection. This may be in the form of journaling or sitting still and observing your thoughts.
Many therapy retreats will ask you to hand in your technology devices when you arrive. This will help you to minimize distractions and contact with the outside world. It will enable you to remain present during your time at the retreat.
Spend Time on Self-Care
At the retreat, you will be doing a lot of work on your mind. This will most probably be mentally exhausting. Several therapy sessions per day can take it out of you.
The retreat may also include other aspects of self-care such as meditation and yoga classes, massage, or another spiritual healing practice. You will have time to relax, look after yourself and rest well.
You will also eat nourishing food while on the retreat. This will help with maintaining optimal wellbeing and keeping focus and mental clarity.
Spend Time in a Beautiful Location
A lot of wellness retreats take place in a stunning location. Nature is healing, so the perfect place to attend a retreat is outside the city.
Spending time outdoors, away from the city, reduces stress, lowers your heart rate and blood pressure. Time in nature also reduces the production of the stress hormone, leaving you feeling much calmer.
If you can attend a therapy retreat near natural beauty, you will be able to reap the benefits of therapy even more.
Take Your Learnings Home
There’s one word it is impossible not to associate with a therapy retreat. Growth.
Whatever happens at the retreat, you will go through some form of growth. Your first retreat will help with healing, but you may need to return to do more work on that. With every retreat you attend, you will always experience some sort of growth.
It may be the ability to be more reflective, to be kinder to yourself, or to promise you will make yourself a priority. You will leave your retreat feeling safer and calmer and equipped with the mechanisms necessary to improve your life.
Learning good habits, ways to stay calm and destress, and methods to cope with past traumas are all part of the retreat process. Once you’ve been to one retreat, you’ll want to keep going back for more!
Are you looking for more tips on staying healthy? Check out our other articles.