Sandtray is an expressive modality for all ages that uses sensory and symbolic means to safely explore the full range of self and experience.MORE ➝
SUPERVISION Training
Explore the complex nature of clinical supervision, the various tasks and roles of a supervisor, techniques and supervision models.
Consultation
Helping seasoned or emerging clinicians enhance professional development.In-person and virtual options, customizable, package rates available.
ETHICS Training
Ethical practice is a way of recognizing and thoughtfully resolving, to the best of one’s ability, the inevitable conflicts that arise in our work.
PLAY Therapy Training
Learn the basics, explore theory, understand the science of play and its clinical applications across populations and more.
Individualized & Mutually Created
Clinical or personal consultations for individuals or organizations; individual sessions utilizing sandtray and expressive arts; and a variety of co-created processes to meet your needs
Whether for personal wellbeing or professional use, expressive modalities can be profoundly impactful. Many of our workshops & retreats provide CE hours for participation.
A weekend retreat to calm the mind & ground the body
Step out of your busy life and into the simplicity and quiet of New Harmony. We will use creative expression, inner reflection & gentle movement to experience a settling into ourselves and resetting of our nervous systems.
Our mindful practices will include art, meditation, movement, natural inquiry, reflection, discussion, portions of silence, and a labyrinth journey. The schedule provides ample time to relax without a facilitated activity.
In tending to the full wellness experience, we’ll eat an abundant array of beautifully prepared plant-based foods – feast for eyes, pleasure for the senses, and nurture for the body. It is encouraged to disconnect from technology in order to fully immerse in the experience.
Guided Expressive Arts Activities
Our art practices, like the movement pieces, will guide us into the interior self to find soothing expression of our creative selves. Engaging with our creativity can unblock old patterns or habits of thinking. Expressive arts allow users to laugh, let go, and relax. All of which helps decrease depression, anxiety, and stress.
All materials will be provided to engage with activities that have been selected for their accessibility and impact. Materials will also be available for use on your own outside of the activities selected.
No art background necessary.
Dance Meditation and Expression
Daily movement practices will include a variety of expressive dance in both free form and more gently guided sessions.
Not yet confirmed but we are hoping to have Tessa Bent facilitate a session of Journey Dance as one of our offerings.
Silence
A portion of this retreat will be conducted in silence from a sunset walking meditation on Saturday through the labyrinth walk on Sunday morning.
Labyrinth Meditation Walk
On Sunday morning, we’ll end our retreat in a walking labyrinth meditation. The pattern of this labyrinth duplicates the original at Chartres Cathedral, built in the 12th century near Paris, France. Labyrinth designs have been used by humankind for over 4000 years in many cultural traditions, including Southwest Native Americans.
The Where
The Abbey Barn
The Abbey Barn is nestled next to a wooded area overlooking the Wabash River. Imagine yourself being guided in stillness, movement and art with a full window view edged with trees, a large field and just beyond a bend in the river. Birds alighting on branches and vines, while you take inspiration for your own settling.
Looking at the map below, the Abbey Barn is located at the edge in the upper right side, just beyond the Swan Lake tributary. It’s the last white rectangle, encircled with dark paths.
The vaulted ceiling of the dining hall gives an airy sense of space, yet also feels cozy as it is surrounded by the individual sleeping rooms. Each person will have a private room with a bunk bed. There are 4 shared group bathrooms and showers, 2 upstairs and 2 downstairs.
We will be nourished with lovely, filling plant-based meals. And cookies for comfort.
The Who
Heather Maritano
Retreat Facilitator, LCSW, RPT-S
Heather Maritano, founder of Inner Resources Counseling & Training, has been supporting the growth and healing of clients, colleagues, and community for over 25 years through therapy, education, mentoring, and advocacy. She creates soothing spaces, relationships, and experiences that invite exploration and discernment through steady presence.
Heather has clinical specialities in play, sandtray, & expressive arts therapies. She has traveled and trained throughout the world.
She maintains a sense of awe, regularly practices her belief in the healing powers of play, and is particularly fond of dancing.
Retreat Action Items
All sections must be marked as complete to receive certificate.
Utilize movement, art, and reflection to increase self awareness and relieve stress;
Apply principles of art, movement and play therapies to deepen understanding of how to shift embedded patterns of stress and trauma;
Identify how mindful practices impact the nervous system;
Identify the significant roles that make up one’s identity;
Create images of inner landscapes;
Compile activities and principles to use in clinical practices, as well as for one’s own wellbeing.
Revise established patterns held in neural networks.
See you at The Abbey!
Cost includes all materials, meals, lodging and 18 CEs.
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