Next In-Person Training Retreat: May 30 - June 4, 2024
2024 Training Dates Announced!
2023 Continuing Education: This course was approved for 30.75 CEs*
Track 2. The Experiential Training Course Module (Retreat Only)
Existential-Humanistic Therapy: Principles of Practice
EHI Co Directors of Clinical Training: Nader Shabahangi, PhD, MFT & Nance Reynolds, PhD, LCSW
EHI now offers this program track for those primarily interested in attending the experiential training retreat in Sonoma, “Existential-Humanistic Therapy: Principles of Practice,”. This is the same training retreat that is a requirement of the Foundations Certificate Program. This training is focused on principles of Existential-Humanistic (E-H) therapy practice skill development.
Why Do Therapists Attend This Training Retreat?
"The program showed me a doorway within myself into territory that I was aware of but had yet to fully conceptualize."
Training Retreat Module Description
This track is an opportunity for EHI to provide our experiential training to students who are not enrolled in the Foundations Certificate program. Students may opt into the certificate track at a later date if they would like to.
This skill-development training module focuses on learning to:
(a) identify meaning-making processes unfolding in the present moment,
(b) illuminate these “actual but often unrecognized” processes by cultivating intrapsychic and interpersonal presence,
(c) develop a safe and intimate therapeutic relationship,
(d) recognize and work with existential life issues which may be present but disguised, and
(e) recognize and work with transference and counter transference issues within an existential framework.
Requirements
Residential Course Module w/ Optional Consultation Group
This residential training course is the annual experiential training historically held as a retreat at Westerbeke Ranch in Sonoma, CA. There is an experiential evaluation on the final day of the training. This module is the only module with in-person requirements any other optional modules are completed remotely.
*International & out-of-state program participants please note: Students are only required to attend in-person the Experiential Training, that is the only mandatory travel required for this program.
This module is held remote. The video consultation groups meet once per month for 4 or 5 months via Zoom. The consultation module will begin the following the training and consists of five 2-hour or four 2.5-hr group consults (depending on group leaders). Group participants will consult on applying the training into real world client work. Two EHI instructors will be group co-leaders. The video consultation module is priced separately and if enrolled prior to the retreat is discounted for retreat attendees.
Once accepted into the Experiential Retreat Training Program you will be able to enroll and participate in the experiential training module. You may also choose to enroll in the optional video consultation group module. Some retreat-only attendees chose to upgrade to the Foundations Certificate program after attending the retreat; this is an option that any retreat attendee can do in the future and have their attendance at the training retreat count towards the Certificate requirements.
The Experiential Training
The Experiential Training is the Core of EHI Programs
The 5-night experiential training residential is the heart of EHI’s programs. It allows licensed professionals and graduate students in psychology or counseling programs to come together in a safe environment, get to know one another, and experience how E-H therapy is practiced up close and personally. All EHI’s education programs feature this existential therapy training.
Schneider and Krug’s APA textbook, Existential-Humanistic Therapy 2nd Ed, will be a core resource. Additional supplemental readings of Rollo May, James Bugental and Irvin Yalom will be provided.
For a more info about the training course residential please visit the Training Course Description page.
EHI President, Kirk Schneider, introduces the training retreat.
Training Approach
EHI instructors, noted leaders in the field, emphasize the key ingredients of the E-H approach, including empathy, acceptance, and genuineness, to model how trainees can create safe, collaborative and life-changing therapeutic encounters. They demonstrate how the therapeutic relationship, in and of itself is a vehicle for healing and change and how therapeutic “presence” cultivates sensitivity and appropriate responsiveness to clients emotions, relational patterns and inner worlds.These two essential principles: building the therapeutic relationship and working in the “here and now” are the foundational blocks of E-H therapy and EHI training
2024 Experiential Training Dates
May 30th - June 4th, 2024
The residential starts at 3:30pm on the first day and ends 2:30 pm(after lunch) on the final day. Approximately forty-five hours of programming are scheduled in this experiential. This training is formatted as an intensive, expect days to be 8 am – 9 pm with a couple of evening breaks.
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
"The retreat is an opportunity to be part of a community where we can think together using the themes of E-H. We can apply theories to cases, watch the work of our mentors and each other. By living together we experience an intimacy that creates an environment that reduces barriers and the ensuing connections foster a greater capacity for learning."
Tabs with Info on Enrolling, Tuition Fees, Safety, Eligibility & Travel
Once accepted you can be enrolled in the program after we receive your completed payment agreement form outlining the payment schedule and your deposit and tuition are submitted. Tuition fees and Lodging costs are invoiced and you can pay this online securely. Michelle, our Admin Assistant, will assist in enrollment and can answer enrollment questions.
We hope the following information will guide you through the application process. If you have further questions that are not answered on this page or need additional assistance, please contact us through the form below.
How do I apply to an EHI program?
- 1. Get the EHI Program Application [WORD]
Download the Application Here! - 2. Fill out the application -select the Program track you are applying for. This is a Word doc but LibraOffice will work too. Contact Michelle via the form below if you need assistance regarding the application.
- 3. Email completed form as an attachment to the address on the application.
- 4. Submit the one-time non-refundable $100.00 application fee via PayPal- the link is on the application.
What is the deadline for applying?
TApplications are accepted for the upcoming cohort until all spaces for the residential retreat are filled. Applicants are considered in the order in which applications are received.
Formal acceptance into the program and payment of deposit will hold your space in the cohort prior to tuition fee deadlines; payment of tuition and lodging by deadlines guarantees your place. Apply as soon as possible to secure a position in the program and to have the most payment plan and discount options.
What happens after I apply?
Once received, your application will be reviewed by clinical team members and we try to review and respond within a 4-6 week period. Once accepted into your program of choice, a letter of formal acceptance will be sent to you and both Stephanie, the Clinical Training Coordinator, and Michelle, the Program Admin, will work with you to complete your enrollment.
- 2024 Retreat Tuition Fee: $2,290
- 2024 Retreat Food/Lodging Cost: $1,150. Billed Separately.
- Early Bird Discounts Available For Applicants Prior to 12/15/2023
Full Tuition Payment Option: $250 Early Bird Discount
Split Tuition Payment Option: $100 Early Bird Discount - Consult/Retreat Enrollment Combo Discount: Receive another $50 off tuition when simultaneously enrolling in a future 10 hour consultation group (additional $425 tuition)
- Appx 40 hours of experiential programming and hands-on skills training at the residential Experiential Training Course retreat.
- Optional 10 hours of Video Consult with EHI Faculty: $400. A $50.00 discount available to attendees when paying tuition.
- Food and lodging for 5 nights and 6 days, billed separately from tuition. Due to contractual obligations many months in advance this fee is both non-refundable and non-transferable and due in advance of the retreat.
- We hold our retreats at a beautiful conference center, Westerbeke Ranch, in the heart of Sonoma County. The cost includes modern, cabin-style shared lodging, superb family style meals and the use of all the facilities at Westerbeke such as the pool, hot tub and walking trails.
Westerbeke Ranch as a retreat center has historic significance for our community, as it was the meeting place for many of the seminal writers in E-H theory and practice such as Rollo May and James Bugental.
*Please note: Course work and tuition may be subject to change between curriculum years-when necessary. Text books, travel costs to Sonoma (airfare & local shuttle), COVID testing fees, Westerbeke food/lodging costs, application fee and Continuing Education fees (when applicable) are not included in any tuition fees.
Past attendees have been domestic and international clinicians including: psychologists, LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCs, ministers and chaplains, medical counselors, psychiatric nurse practitioners, psychiatrists, doctors, nurse practitioners, music, art and movement therapists, higher education faculty, and more!
The training is intended for licensed professionals who seek to enhance their clinical skills, and to full/half time students in a master’s or doctoral psychology, counseling, social work, therapeutic arts program or related field (to participate in a consult group you should be seeing clients, in a clinical setting). It is also open to medical professionals and persons who currently hold at least a master’s degree in therapeutic arts or human services. International practitioners and master’s and doctoral students in therapeutic programs listed above are very welcome!
If you have questions about whether this program might be a good fit for you please reach out.
Continuing Education Info
2023’s Training was Approved for 30.75 CEs. The 2023 CE Fee was $115. Please contact us for more info regarding the course.
APA Division 32, Society of Humanistic Psychology, is a proud cosponsor of CE credits for EHI events and trainings whenever CE credits are offered. EHI will again seek CE cosponsorship with our partner, APA Division 32, Society of Humanistic Psychology, in 2023!
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.
Accessibility Info
It is the policy of EHI to make every reasonable effort to provide enrollees with disabilities opportunities to take full advantage of its programs.
If you have a disability, please contact us ahead of time so we can work with you arrange the programming to needs. Please contact either our Admin, Michelle or our Clinical Co Directors, Nader and Nance, via the form below to discuss options.C
EHI fully expects to hold the May 2023 Experiential Training Retreat as planned. However, please be aware that the EHI Board will be monitoring developments related to COVID-19 and there does exist the very small possibility that EHI will have to cancel the 2023 Experiential Training Retreat if it seems too risky to move forward with it. In the event of EHI canceling the 2023 Experiential Training Retreat, the following refund options will be offered:
- You will be able to transfer the full amount of your paid tuition, including the tuition deposit, to any future Experiential Training Retreat through 2025. The tuition fee would be locked in with this option (not the lodging and food fee), so that even if the tuition fee increases, you would not have to pay the increased difference. In choosing to transfer, please keep in mind that the 2024 Experiential Training Retreat is May 30 – June 4 and we do not yet have a confirmed date for the 2025 retreat, but it will most likely be the end of May.
- Or –
- You can request and receive a full refund of the tuition you’ve paid, minus the $500 deposit. Of that deposit, $400 would be credited to your account so you could apply that credit to any EHI event – including future Experiential Retreat Trainings – through the end of 2025. (The 2023 tuition rate will not be locked in if you choose this option.)
Please also note that there will be COVID-19 safety protocols in place at the 2023 Experiential Training Retreat. The protocols are listed below but please be aware that they might change depending on COVID-related conditions and CDC and local COVID-related guidelines around the time of the May 2023 Experiential:
- In order to attend the May 2023 Experiential Training Retreat, you will need to show proof of having received your full initial vaccination against COVID-19.
- In order to attend the May 2023 Experiential Training, you will need to show proof of a negative molecular COVID-19 test taken no earlier than 05/20/23.
- Enrolling in the May 2023 Experiential Training Retreat (or an EHI 2023 Certificate Program that includes attending the May 2023 Experiential Training Retreat) means you agree that if you start to experience symptoms of illness while at the training, you will consent to take an “at-home” antigen test and that if you test positive, you will need to isolate at the retreat center.
- Enrolling in the May 2023 Experiential Training Retreat means that you are doing so knowing that mask-wearing will not be required – though you may obviously wear one voluntarily, if you choose.
- Enrolling in the May 2023 Experiential Training means you understand that you will most likely be lodging in a room with 1 other person.
Getting up to Sonoma from San Francisco or SFO/OAK: When planning travel to Westerbeke Ranch please note that EHI does not provide transportation up to Westerbeke Ranch. We do encourage both carpooling & shuttle sharing and we will initiate the process with an email to all attendees prior to the retreat and facilitate connecting people to share shuttles. Avg shuttle cost each way is appx 65.00.
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 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 15th ends at 12:15 pm and we will have lunch together from 12:30-2:30pm; leaving at the latest by 3pm (some people will need to leave during lunch to catch their flight). Historically we encourage carpooling and we can initiate and facilitate this for those who would like to connect with someone else for the drive up and back.
*Continuing Education Info
2023’s course retreat was approved for 30.75 CEs. Please contact us through the form below for more info regarding the course and to request disability accommodations.
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.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or need further assistance, please reach out to us. We look forward to talking with you more about the program!
Clinical Training Co Directors
Nader Shabahangi, PhD, LMFT
Nance Reynolds, PhD, LCSW
Clinical Training Coordinator
Stephanie Weissman, PsyD
