Join us for a safe and structured four-day retreat at the intersection of science and spirituality, guided by an exceptional team of facilitators: Jayne Gumpel LCSW, Diana Fosha PhD, Mark Green MD, David Gumpel MA, and Lisa Wang MD. Together, we’ll explore Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), ketamine-assisted work, and mindfulness.
This immersive experiential retreat and training is designed for professionals seeking deep healing, renewal, and transformation through the integration of Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP), ketamine-assisted work, and mindfulness. Primarily, this is a participant retreat; secondarily, it is a training opportunity. Participation offers valuable learning experiences. This is a safe, structured retreat led by a staff of licensed and experienced therapists and physicians is located in the beautiful Catskill Mountains at MENLA Retreat and Spa.
What is AEDP?
Developed by Diana Fosha, PhD, Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) is a healing-centered, attachment-based therapy that integrates neuroscience, affective neurobiology, and transformational theory to support deep emotional processing. AEDP is based on the understanding that healing happens through relationship and the co-regulation of emotions in safe, attuned connections.
Grounded in the latest neuroscience research, AEDP harnesses neuroplasticity—the brain’s ability to rewire itself through experience. The therapy focuses on undoing aloneness, activating core affect, and harnessing positive neuroplasticity to rework painful emotional states into experiences of safety, connection, and integration. AEDP’s four-state model maps out the process of emotional transformation:
1. Defense & Resistance: Protecting against emotional pain.
2. Accessing Core Emotions: Tapping into deep feelings stored in the nervous system.
3. Transformational Processing: Allowing healing waves of emotion to integrate the experience.
4. The Emergence of the Authentic Self: A deep sense of joy, connection, and wholeness.
This retreat is both a personal healing experience and a professional training opportunity, offering a unique approach to blending AEDP principles, ketamine work, and mindfulness practices.
What You’ll Experience:
• AEDP-Informed Healing: Learn to tap into the innate capacity for transformation, embracing emotions as pathways to deeper connection and vitality.
• Ketamine Sessions: Three optional dosing sessions with SL Ketamine. Supported by experienced facilitators, participants explore expanded states of consciousness, uncovering insights, and releasing barriers to joy.
• Mindfulness & Somatic Awareness: Develop present-moment awareness, learning to attune to your body, heart, and mind with compassion and curiosity.
• Relational Practices: Engage in guided dialogues and practices to co-regulate, connect, and deepen emotional resilience.
• Community & Reflection: Share space with like-minded professionals, exploring how to integrate these transformative experiences into your personal and professional life.
The Neuroscience of Joy and Transformation
AEDP, ketamine, and mindfulness all work by engaging neuroplasticity—our brain’s ability to reorganize itself in response to new experiences. Research shows that deep emotional connection, safety, and presence can shift implicit memories stored in the nervous system, creating new pathways for resilience and joy.
Who is This For?
This retreat is open to clinicians, healers, and helping professionals who want to experience their own deep healing while cultivating tools to bring back to their work.
Come As You Are
Joy is your birthright—not a luxury, but a way of being that can be reclaimed. Come sit with us, breathe, and rediscover the aliveness, awe, and tenderness that have always been within you.
Safety is our top priority, and we take great care in the enrollment process. Each participant is carefully screened to ensure they are prepared for a group setting and can experience ketamine safely and constructively. This retreat is not a residential treatment setting and is not intended for individuals experiencing an acute mental health crisis or those with chronic and untreated psychiatric conditions.
Steps to join:
Step 1: Fill out the initial application to attend this retreat. After we receive that, the next step will be to conduct a screening call over Zoom with our Co-Founder and Lead Facilitator, Jayne Gumpel, LCSW (the confirmation email will include instructions on how to book this).
Step 2: If the phone or Zoom screening results in a sense that there is a good fit (mutually decided, of course) you will be asked to make a deposit of 50% of the retreat fee (please note, this does not include the cost of housing).
Step 3: After paying the deposit to confirm your enrollment, you will receive an email with detailed instructions for all your next steps, including scheduling a medical screening appointment, booking housing at Menla Retreat Center, and choosing your Pre-Retreat Preparation Group Video Call with other retreat participants. You’ll also receive a login to our Customer Portal, where you’ll find all this information and more in one place, to help you prepare for the retreat.
Individual Inquiry Call
Each participant will have a one-on-one call with a faculty member to ensure alignment with the retreat’s goals and readiness for the experience.
Group Zoom Preparation Meetings
Engage in group preparation sessions designed to set the foundation for a meaningful retreat experience.
Specialty Offerings from Lead Faculty
Learn from our lead faculty’s expertise in working with grief and loss. These sessions provide unique insights into navigating these profound human experiences, integrating professional and personal perspectives to foster healing and growth.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) 8-Week Class (Optional)
Participate in an MBSR course that includes mindfulness education through experiential and didactic learning, providing valuable tools for self-awareness and regulation.
Professional Development Zoom Sessions (Optional)
Access supplemental professional development opportunities through our Cultivating Joy Community Zoom Rooms for additional learning and connection.
Post-Retreat Integration and Learning
• Post-retreat cohort meetings on Zoom to support continued integration and application of retreat material.
• Ongoing peer support: We encourage and facilitate a no-fee peer group to continue fostering connection and learning after the retreat.
All Fees & Expenses
Relationship Resources Cost: $2500 per person (plus choice of housing), 50% deposit upon enrollment. 50% balance due to confirm registration.
Partial Scholarships are available, please let us know during screening and we will do our best to make this program accessible.
PLEASE NOTE: This cost does not include the cost of housing or the medical screening, which are paid separately (see details below)
Housing & Meals Cost ($750 ~ $1200)
Room prices range from $250 to $380 a night including delicious vegetarian meals. After being accepted, housing costs will be paid directly to Menla with instructions provided.
Medical Intake Costs
Medical Intake: Fee to be paid to medical provider $400. A payment link will be provided to pay your assigned medical provider.
Medication Cost: Paid direct to Pharmacy (~$75)
Refund Policy
All deposits are non refundable unless you cancel 60 days prior to the retreat. There will be a $500 fee deducted from the deposit if you cancel at any time after the deposit is paid. Please be sure you intend to join this retreat! Once the balance is paid (due 45 days prior to the retreat) the fees are non refundable and a partial credit can be assessed to a future retreat. We appreciate your understanding. Many many steps go into creating this experience for you.
Jayne Gumpel, LCSW
jayne@relationshipresources.info
914.924.1509 (cell)
Relationship Resources LLC
Front Desk at Menla:
frontdesk@menla.org
Or call 845-688-6897 (Extension 101)