Presence • Awareness • Connection

A 5-Day Experiential Retreat for Therapists

There are moments in our work and in our lives when we feel the need to pause and connect deeply: with ourselves and others.

To step out of the role of helper, therapist, or professional…
and return to something more simple and human.

This retreat is an invitation to slow down, and explore what happens when awareness, presence and connection are given space to unfold naturally.

For five days we will gather in a small village in the French countryside, surrounded by forest, a stream, and a quiet lake. The setting is simple and peaceful, offering a natural environment for reflection, presence, and meaningful encounters with each other.

France | 23-27 September 2026 | Full Room and Board

Theme

At the heart of this retreat is a simple exploration:

What happens when we immerse ourselves in practice of a deeper presence?

Through meditation, movement, and experiential exercises based on Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP), we will explore how awareness of our inner experience and relational behavior can open new possibilities for connection and growth.

Rather than focusing on theory, the retreat emphasizes direct lived experience — noticing what happens moment by moment in our interactions, within our body and mind, and in our relationship with the space around us.

For therapists and practitioners, this can be a rare opportunity to experience relational work from the inside, in a supportive, warm and reflective environment.

Practice

The retreat will include a blend of structured sessions and spaciousness.

Practices will include:

• Meditation and awareness practices
• Movement and embodied exercises
• Experiential relational work based on Functional Analytic Psychotherapy
• Group dialogue and shared reflection
• Participant-led sessions: the retreat is designed as a collaborative space, where participants can bring their own presence, experience, and practices into the group.

The intention is to create something that feels alive, human, and shared, rather than purely teacher-led.

Participants

This retreat is especially suited for people who work with others in a therapeutic role:

psychotherapists
psychologists
coaches
facilitators, Counsellors, therapists

What matters most is a curiosity about awareness, relationships, and authentic human connection.

Setting

The retreat will take place in Menil-sur- Saulx, a small village in Lorraine, surrounded by nature.

Nearby are:

a quiet forest for walks and reflection
a stream flowing through the landscape
a peaceful lake 20 minutes drive away

Nature will be part of the rhythm of the retreat — offering space for quiet moments, integration, and informal connection.

The retreat will take place in a traditional Farm House converted into a Retreat Centre.

The practice hall is a unique space — with wooden floors, stone walls, and windows opening onto greenery. The atmosphere carries something of the quiet simplicity of a Zen practice hall, supporting both meditation and movement.

The surrounding buildings, rooms, and shared eating areas hold a strong sense of practice, movement, and spiritual community — a feeling that has been created by many years of meaningful and profound experiences.

There are 8 bedrooms in the Retreat Center: single, double and triple rooms. All rooms are comfortable and warm, with towels and bedding provided.

Accommodation

The group will be small (max 15 people), creating an intimate atmosphere where people can feel comfortable showing up as they are.

Something closer to a joint community of practice than a training.

The pace of the retreat will be gentle and attentive to participant’s needs, allowing time for practice as well as rest, reflection and wellbeing.

Atmosphere

Shared meals are an important part of the retreat atmosphere — moments for informal conversation, connection, and relaxation.

Meals during the retreat will be vegetarian, simple and nourishing. Careful attention will be given to creating three varied, nutritional and hearty meals per day.

*Any dietary requirements will be catered for as best as we can. Please make sure to specify in the registration form.

Food

Facilitator / Organiser

Yasmin Fulder Heyd

Counselling Psychologist, Therapist, Supervisor, and Movement Teacher

I have been working with individuals and groups for over 25 years, as a counselling psychologist, psychotherapist, lecturer, and clinical supervisor.

I completed my DPsych at City University London in 2011, and my work has increasingly focused on contextual behavioral science approaches, particularly Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Functional Analytic Psychotherapy (FAP).

Over the past several years I have studied, practiced, and taught these approaches extensively, including multiple FAP courses and intensives, workshops within the ACBS community, and ongoing clinical practice and supervision.

I currently run a three-year psychotherapy training program based on contextual behavioral science, where students study ACT, FAP, and other third-wave CBT approaches.

Alongside my psychotherapy work, movement practice has been a central part of my life for over 25 years. I have practiced Kitaido (www.kitaido.com) throughout my adult life, becoming a leader in 2005 and an instructor in 2018.

This long-term exploration of both psychotherapy and embodied practice has deeply shaped the way I understand presence, connection, and learning.

Meditation has also been an important part of my path, through many years of personal practice and retreats.

A Note on Contribution

While the retreat will have a core structure, participants who wish to share a practice, exercise, or session will be warmly welcome to contribute.

This might include: meditation practices, movement sessions, FAP-inspired exercises, creative or reflective practices and more…

*While completely optional, these contributions often enrich the collective experience and allow for courageous acts of presence and participation

What You May Take Home

Inner Awareness : A clearer and more compassionate awareness of your own inner experience.

Through meditation, movement, and reflection, you may reconnect with your breath, your body, and your emotional landscape in a deeper way. The retreat will allow space for clarity, inspiration, and personal growth to emerge naturally.

Embodied Presence : Movement practices invite a gentle softening of the body and a deeper connection to physical presence.

Participants may develop greater sensitivity to how the body communicates — both their own and that of others. This develops our ability to listen with your body, and be both open and grounded in therapeutic and personal interactions.

Relational Skills: The retreat emphasizes connection as a lived experience, not only as a theoretical concept.

Participants may develop greater sensitivity to the process, function and context in which relational behaviours occur. This can allow authentic emotional expression, and the courage to meet others with openness and compassion.

Through the basic principles of Functional Analytic Psychotherapy, we will explore how awareness, courage, and love can be practiced in an intensive retreat setting. This can allow therapists to take home insights and techniques relevant to their clinical practice.

A Renewed Sense of Common Humanity

In a small group setting, through shared meals, conversation, and practice, participants can find the space to reconnect with a sense of common humanity, compassion, and care — both for ourselves and for others.

Location

23-27 September, 2026

Menil Retreat Centre

9 Rue Du Pont

Menil-Sur-Saulx Meuse, France

Nearby Train stations: Meuse TGV, Bar-le-Duc, Saint-Dizier
Approx. 2 hours by train from Paris and Strasbourg.
25 mins by taxi from train station.
Pick up from train station may be arranged.
Free car parking available.

Pricing

Single Room - 3 rooms available
€850 per person

Shared Double Room - 3 rooms available
€820 per person

Shared Triple Room - 2 rooms available
€780 per person

All prices are for the full retreat (5 days, 4 nights) and include accommodation, full board, and the complete program.

Cancellation Policy

Because places are limited and costs are committed in advance, the following cancellation policy applies:

Up to 6 weeks before the retreat start date:
You will receive a full refund minus a €50 administration fee.
Between 6 weeks and 14 days before the retreat:
50% of the retreat fee is refundable.
Less than 14 days before the retreat:
Unfortunately, no refund can be offered.

If you are unable to attend, you are welcome to transfer your place to another person, subject to approval and with no additional fee.