Rest & Return: A weekend for soft landings

An invitation to pause from your daily life, perhaps not in a “turning away from” mindset - but maybe in a “turning toward” or a re-turning to yourself, your body, your nervous system & your current moment. Nothing to do, change, or fix - just place and space to land in the Land and share in Community.  “Safe spaces” can be very hard to find these days.  Spaces where the fullness of yourself and your lived experiences are welcomed, honored and supported.  Emily & Jeremey are seasoned mental health clinicians who specialize in complex trauma and the impacts of systemic oppression and other harmful dogmatic structures, institutions and belief systems.  A partnership built in trust, authenticity and collaboration, Emily & Jeremy are deeply committed to co-creating a safe, welcoming, trauma-sensitive, and sensory-friendly space for all.   

Nestled in the woods and adjacent marshlands of the North Shore in Essex, Massachusetts, the weekend will be centered around self-attunement, connection, and responding to your own needs.  As therapists, we understand that conditions and environments need to feel safe enough to support the type of “quieting down” that a “listening in” asks of us.  And that these conditions are not only supported through the external space and environment itself, but almost more importantly through safe relational conditions, transparency, and rapport. It is in these kinds of spaces where we can collectively and collaboratively break down hierarchical power dynamics (such as teacher/student; therapist/client; healer/wounded, etc.) and to lean into our shared humanity so that we can more authentically connect with self, others, and the land.  We all need healing - individually & collectively, most especially during these trying times.  

Perhaps you’ve been carrying a bit too much for a bit too long, or are feeling overwhelmed by the state of the world.  Maybe your nervous system has been taxed by constant demands and expectations, calibrating to an external pace it was never meant to sustain.  This weekend might offer a space to rest, recalibrate and repair - to ground gently and to know that there is nothing that you have "to do" while you're here - only space "to be."  Your pace is the right pace and we will be there to help create a safe harbor for you to land.  Perhaps together we might re-turn to ourselves slowly, intentionally, and without pressure.

All bodies and All peoples are welcome. 

* Participation in all activities and offerings throughout the weekend will be completely optional in efforts to create space for folks to honor their present moment experience and feel empowered to make choices that align with their current needs.

** However, we do ask that all participants join our opening circle on Friday evening for introductions, so that everyone will know who we will be sharing space and community with over the weekend, and to establish group safety norms.

*** All-inclusive rates include overnight accommodations (single, double, and communal room occupancy pricing options available); breakfast, lunch & dinner; as well as complimentary non-alcoholic beverages and snacks provided throughout the weekend. Commuter rates available for guests who do not wish to stay overnight.

Essex Woods Interior Virtual Tour

Essex Woods Exterior Virtual Tour

Some of the optional offerings over the weekend will include: 

→ Morning, mid-day, and evening embodiment practices (based on Trauma Center Trauma-Sensitive Yoga (TCTSY), facilitated by Emily

→ Daily walking meditations among the trails and surrounding forests, guided by Jeremy 

→ Various group circles inviting collaborative dialogue around some of the following topics: [trauma; healing; religious trauma; neurobiology of trauma; impacts of colonial conditioning; intergenerational/ancestral trauma & healing….. etc. etc. ] - facilitated by Emily & Jeremy

→ Opportunities to meet for 1:1 support conversations with Emily or Jeremey throughout the weekend

→ Various Land-based rituals and non-dogmatic opening/closing circles at the start and end of each day

→ Space for crafting / art  

→ Fire circle gathering Saturday evening 

→ Full access to sauna and hot tubs throughout your stay

→ Full access to onsite forest trails

→ Nearby beach / ocean access to explore during free time

Essex Woods is located in the North Shore of Massachusetts, about 40 minutes north of Boston. Public transportation options here.

If the option to pay in installments would feel supportive to you, please use the "deposit" option while checking out (the host will then confirm a payment timeline with you). A $250 non-refundable deposit is needed to hold your spot. If booking a multiple occupancy room, each participant needs a ticket and will need to confirm rooming preference with the host in a timely manner.