Training Retreat
Existential-Humanistic Therapy:
Principles of Practice
A hands-on five-night experiential residential course that offers
skill development training in existential therapy practice.
Next Existential Psychotherapy Training Retreat Dates: May 30th – June 4th, 2024 in Sonoma, CA
Continuing Education*: This training was approved for 30.75 CEs in 2023.
At the Training Retreat
During the Training
Experience how Existential-Humanistic therapy is practiced up close and personally
Come together in a facilitated and safe environment
Engage in intensive, immersive experiential learning
Gain existential psychotherapy training
EHI's Existential-Humanistic (E-H) Therapy Training
- Learn to build the therapeutic relationship using E-H skills
- Learn to work in the “here and now” with an E-H focus
A Focus on Experiential Learning
This training, which is the core of EHI’s educational programs, features a combination of relationship-building, learning of theoretical foundations, and first-hand experiences wherein theory comes to life. Learn & explore Existential-Humanistic Therapy, Existential Psychotherapy, and Existential-Integrative Therapy practices.
Instructors demonstrate their way of working with clients inviting commentary and participation.
Participants work in dyads and triads with each other, and receive direct feedback from an instructor as they work.
Experiential hands-on learning allows participants a way of personally understanding how work on themselves mirrors their ability to work with clients.
Attendees gain a deeper, more embodied sense of what existential-humanistic therapy has to offer.
Intensive
E-H Therapy
Skill Development
- identify meaning-making processes unfolding in the present moment,
- illuminate these “actual but often unrecognized” processes by cultivating intrapsychic and interpersonal presence,
- develop a safe, intimate, and healing therapeutic relationship,
- recognize and work with existential life issues which may be present but disguised, and
- recognize and work with transference and counter transference issues within an existential framework.
When and Where is This Training?
2024 Training Dates
May 30 – June 4, 2024
The residential starts at 3:30 pm on the first day and ends at 2:00pm on the final day.
The Location: Westerbeke Ranch in Sonoma, CA
Westerbeke Ranch is a beautiful retreat center on acres of land in the heart of Sonoma. Built in the 30’s, the Ranch is a contemplative environment, nourishing to both body and soul.
Westerbeke as a retreat center has historic significance for our community, as it was the meeting place for many of the seminal writers in Existential Humanistic theory and practice such as Rollo May and James Bugental.
See this short video of Westerbeke Ranch from YouTube
Staying at Westerbeke Ranch in 2022
What will be different about staying at Westerbeke Ranch this year?
- Back to regular training set up; we will share the Ranch with another group.
- Rooming: Cabin Rooms are shared and attendees will share with 1 other(updated 3/20/2022); bathroom attached to each room.
- Meals: The meals are served family style buffet. The team are dedicated to providing omnivores, vegetarians and vegans wonderful local nutritious foods. They will always be careful with regards to allergy safety.
- Carpooling: We always encourage carpooling up to the Ranch and will facilitate connections between attendees this year too!
Coronavirus Caveat for 2023 Experiential Training Retreat
The EHI Board will be making decisions regarding potential safety protocols for COVID-19 for the 2023 Experiential Retreat and this section will be updated at that time.
- As of now, EHI is moving forward with its May 2022 in-person Experiential Training Retreat, and given current conditions regarding COVID-19, we are optimistic we will be able to gather together May 26 – 31, at Westerbeke Ranch. As there is news of increased infection rates in Europe, however (evidently due to a new sub-variant), EHI will continue to monitor the situation and assess the risk. And, of course, please be aware that if conditions change for the worse and state and or local authorities order another shelter-in-place, or, if our host retreat center, Westerbeke Ranch, decides to cancel its bookings, we will need to cancel the training.
If the training were to be canceled, registrants will have the following options:
- 1. Transfer their tuition to either the 2023 or 2024 Experiential Retreat Training/Certificate Program cohort. The tuition fee would be locked in, so that even if the tuition fee increases, students who paid for 2022 would not have to pay the increased difference (the lodging/food fee is not locked in). In choosing to transfer, please keep in mind that currently the 2023 experiential retreat dates are May 23 -28. 2024 training retreat dates have not been set.
- 2. Request and receive a full tuition refund, minus the $500 deposit. Of that deposit, $450 would be credited to the student’s account so he/she/they could apply that credit to any EHI event – including future Experiential Retreat Trainings – through the end of 2024.
Below is EHI’s current COVID-19 Vaccination Policy & Safety Protocol. Once again, if the risk of infection increases enough, EHI might end up requiring a stricter protocol:
- In order to attend the May 2022 Experiential Training, you will need to show proof of having been fully vaccinated – which means already having had your 2nd vaccination shot (or sole J & J shot).
- To attend the May 2022 Experiential Training, you need to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test. EHI’s preference is a negative molecular PCR test taken no more than 3 days prior to the first day of the experiential, but if that isn’t possible for people, then EHI will also accept proof of a negative antigen test taken within 24 hours of the 4 PM start time on May 26th. Whichever test is taken needs to be administered by a qualified third party.
- Depending on relevant variables at the time, there is the possibility that all participants will have to wear masks indoors, except while dining – this is not a guarantee one way or the other. (This is related to mask mandates: Attendees are welcome to choose to wear a mask at any time.)
- You will be lodging in a room with 1 other person (Updated March 20: Max 2 people per room instead of the 3 previously stated).
- Depending on the risk of COVID-19 infection at the time of the Experiential Training, EHI might end up requiring stricter safety measures.
How Can I Enroll in This Experiential Training?
The residential training has multiple enrollment tracks including the introductory Foundations Certificate Program and the modular Experiential Training Retreat Program (just the retreat module). We ask that prospective attendees apply to the program that fits their needs best. The programs are open to both licensed therapeutic professionals and graduate students. International attendees are very welcome!
Tips for Traveling to Sonoma
Getting to Sonoma: When planning travel to Westerbeke Ranch please note that EHI does not provide transportation up to Westerbeke Ranch, though we do encourage carpooling/ride sharing and initiate these connections with an email to all attendees about one month prior to the retreat.
Planning Your Visit to the Bay Area for the Retreat: We start at 4:00 pm the first day so we recommend pre-planning travel up to Westerbeke.
We suggest that if you are flying during these pandemic times, purchase a refundable and transferable ticket. We also suggest that if you can arrive to the area a day early, you bypass the risk of being late or missing a ride due to a late arrival or a canceled flight. Arriving early helps give the best advantage for carpooling opportunities as picking up at an airport on starting day of the retreat can be difficult for carpool drivers. Also there is less risk of late or canceled flights which are on the rise.
We ask that everyone is on time to prevent interruption to the training. On the day of the retreat, if you are driving up from places south of Sonoma (San Francisco or Oakland) or one of these airports, you will want to start travelling by 1:30pm to negotiate traffic. Staying north of San Francisco the night before has worked well for attendees. If you will be staying in the area the night before make your reservations early as possible.
Our final training session on the 28th ends at 12:15 pm and the cohort can have lunch together from 12:30-2:30pm; leaving the Ranch by 3pm (some people will need to leave during lunch to catch their flight/ride).
Transportation: Historically we encourage carpooling and shuttle sharing; we will initiate and facilitate communication for those who would like to connect with others to share a private shuttle up or with someone else for the drive up and back.
This Training Available via Two Enrollment Tracks
1. Enroll in the Certificate in the Foundations of E-H Therapy Practice Program
The Foundations Certificate Program is the most popular program for those who are looking to gain a foundation in existential, humanistically-focused therapy practices. Applications for this Certificate program are accepted all year-round.
2. Enroll to Attend Just the Training Retreat! (Without any coursework)
This training is also offered as a stand-alone option: the Experiential Training Course Module. Applications accepted all year-round. Commitment is for the experiential training only, no additional coursework required.
*Continuing Education at the 2023 Training
The 2023 training was approved for 30.75 CEs. 2023 CE Fee: $115, Please contact us for more info regarding the course or for disability accessibility.
APA Division 32, Society of Humanistic Psychology, is a proud cosponsor of CE credits for EHI events and trainings whenever CE credits are offered.
APA Division 32, Society for Humanistic Psychology is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. APA Division 32, Society for Humanistic Psychology maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Want More Info? Please Review the Info, Fees and Details of the Two Tracks Above
The program pages have specifics related to each enrollment track and please reach out to us to answer additional questions!
Participants in the programs participate in the same training at the same time; the Foundations Certificate program cohort have additional modules to their program beyond the experiential training.
Both programs accept applications all-year round with some applicants applying and enrolling up to a year ahead of time to plan their participation and gain a place.
Questions?
Clinical Training Co Directors
Nader Shabahangi, PhD, LMFT
Nance Reynolds, PhD, LCSW
Clinical Training Coordinator
Stephanie Weissman, PsyD
Program Admin
Michelle V.
Please Reach Out to Us
Stephanie Weissman, PsyD