The Holistic & Functional Psychology Institute
Registration is open for the Holistic Therapy Training & Wellness Retreat in Costa Rica in Feb 2026! Learn more here
Regenerate and Realign: The Holistic Therapy Training & Wellness Retreat for Therapists
Earn a holistic therapy credential (and 10 APA CEs) while restoring your nervous system, connecting with nature, and confidently stepping into holistic clinical work at an off-grid eco-luxury retreat.
A 7-day midwinter retreat | February 2026 | Costa Rica
The Holistic Wellness CE Retreat for Therapists: At A Glance
7 Spacious Days and 6 Nights
📍Location: Off-Grid Eco Resort in the jungles of Costa Rica
📅 Dates: February 15 - 21, 2026 (confirmed); Feb 23 - March 1, 2026 (pending, will open with enough interest)
🎓Training: A professional certificate in Holistic Lifestyle Medicine for Mental Health: over 10 hours of experiential training designed for licensed therapists, + 10 APA approved CEs
💆♀️ Includes: Daily yoga, excursions, all meals, eco luxury lodging, certificate, transportation, natural spring-fed pools, jungle hiking trails, and more
✨ Designed for: Mental Health Therapists seeking a soul-aligned, restorative, nature-based, and exploratory CE experience
💸 Investment: Packages start at $3,245 for an immersive 7-day experience.
As Continuing Education and Professional Development, this event may be tax-deductible as a business expense
APA Continuing Education Credit Details
CE credits for psychologists are provided by the Spiritual Competency Academy (SCA) which is co-sponsoring this program. The Spiritual Competency Academy is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Spiritual Competency Academy maintains responsibility for this program and its content. The California Board of Behavioral Sciences accepts CE credits for LCSW, LPCC, LEP, and LMFT license renewal for programs offered by approved sponsors of CE by the American Psychological Association. LCSW, LPCC, LEP, and LMFTs, and other mental health professionals from states other than California need to check with their state licensing board as to whether or not they accept programs offered by approved sponsors of CE by the American Psychological Association. SCA is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN Provider CEP16887) for licensed nurses in California. RNs must retain their certificate of attendance for 4 years after the course concludes. For questions about receiving your Certificate of Attendance, contact The Holistic & Functional Psychology Institute, LLC emma@holsiticandfunctionalpsychology.com. For questions about CE, contact Spiritual Competency Academy at info@spiritualcompetencyacademy.com.
Secure Your Spot with Just a $495 Deposit
Committing to an international retreat is a big decision, which is why you can reserve with a small deposit of $495.
You can pay the rest later, either in full or with a flexible payment plan.
This retreat is intentionally small and intimate, and is therefore capped at around 12 participants.
This winter, instead of slogging through another gray winter week…
Picture yourself surrounded by rainforest greens and the sound of flowing water. The sun is warm on your skin, and you’re walking back from morning yoga to enjoy fresh, organic coffee and a nourishing breakfast.
Later that day, you’ll soak in volcanic hot springs, hike to a turquoise waterfall, or simply rest in a hammock with your journal. You’ll be learning alongside a small group of like-minded therapists, weaving professional growth with personal renewal.
This winter, I'd love to help you give your nervous system the restoration it needs while gaining the confidence and skills to bring holistic practices into your clinical work.
You're Here Because...
You’re tired of constantly helping clients regulate their nervous systems… while your own is fried
You're the space holder for others day in and day out, but you never get to be the one held
You LOVE holistic wellness, but you’re scared to apply it to your clinical practice. What if you do something ineffective - or worse - unethical?
You need dozens of hours of continuing education this year, but you can’t bring yourself to attend yet another disembodied training
You feel like a black sheep in the field, and you’re longing for your holistic tribe
You feel cut off from peers - and from yourself - in a job that requires constant one-way connection with clients. Who knew this field could be so isolating?
You desperately need a restorative getaway, but you can’t justify a personal retreat. Post-tax expenses just hit different than pre-tax ones.
I created this retreat to meet the needs of therapists like you:
To bring you lifelong memories and friendships while aligning you with the holistic therapy career that calls to you.
After this retreat, you'll step into the holistic therapist identity you've always wanted... with the credentials to prove it.
What You'll Experience
The deep mind, body, and soul nourishment that helps you stay an excellent clinician
A vibrant community of like-minded holistic therapists who think outside the box, just like you do
Confidence and competence to ethically integrate holistic lifestyle medicine into therapy... for yourself and your clients
Spacious and embodied continuing education that restores you while empowering you clinically... and helps you check that continuing education box
A beautiful, off-grid eco-retreat in the Costa Rican jungle that embodies the holistic and regenerative principles that you deeply value
Connection, fun, and inspiration with other therapists who care about holistic practices and deep healing just as much as you do... (and maybe meet your therapist BFF along the way!)
How This Therapist Retreat Compares
Typical Trainings
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Boring lectures on Zoom or in crowded conference rooms
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Draining, disembodied content
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Info-heavy sessions with little real-world application
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No connection to nature or your own healing
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Often charge extra for CE certificates
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Just as isolating as clinical work; no true connection with others
Typical Training Retreats
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A rushed 4–5 days, often $3,000–$5,000+
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Most of the time is spent indoors
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Little space for rest or nature connection; lack of focus on personal wellness
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Meals, excursions, and transport not included
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Same disembodied learning in a prettier location
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Lacks time for integration, reflection, or real community-building
Personal Retreats
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Usually only 3-6 days... not enough time to truly settle in
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Often $3,000-$5,000+
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Personal rejuvenation with no professional development
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Not tax-deductible
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No CE credits or career-aligned learning
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Can feel directionless without a structured container
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Lacks the clinical depth or peer support to transform your work
This Training Retreat
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7 spacious days in an eco-luxury retreat center in Costa Rica
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Embodied, experiential CE rooted in holistic healing
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Daily yoga and restorative practices to renew your nervous system
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Real connection with like-minded peers
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Personally and professionally transformative
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Includes CE certificates, retreat center meals, and multiple excursions
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Prices start at just $3,245
Why Choose this Holistic Therapy Training Retreat for Therapists?
This retreat is rooted in the values of regeneration, exploration, integration, and holism. We don’t just teach; we invite you into a new way of living and working that’s aligned with nature, self-renewal, and whole-person healing.
This Retreat is For You If...
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You're a licensed therapist or other integrative health professional
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You're craving depth, exploration, and personal renewal
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You want to integrate evidence-based holistic lifestyle medicine into your work
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You want continuing education that both inspires and restores you
What You'll Gain
A professional certificate in Holistic Lifestyle Medicine for Mental Health from the Holistic & Functional Psychology Institute, with at least 10 continuing education hours
Daily yoga opportunities and multiple restorative practices (like yoga nidra, mindful walking, and breathwork) throughout the retreat
Beautiful accommodations and local, regenerative meals at an eco retreat center
Immersion in nature with stillness and time to reset
Curated excursions (such as a visit to luxurious hot springs, to swim in a gorgeous turquoise waterfall, to kayak next to a volcano, a cooking class, and more!)*
A like-minded community with other holistic therapists
Practical tools to use in your practice with clients... so you can step even deeper into your holistic therapist identity (with the credentials to back up your knowledge)
Why Learn from Emma?
I’m Emma. I’m a licensed therapist and the founder of Alternative Therapy STL.
I've built a thriving holistic private practice, and I founded the Holistic and Functional Psychology Institute to train other therapists to build the holistic practices of their dreams.
I have advanced training in all of the topics I teach about. My training includes Spiritual Counseling, Shamanic Counseling, Holistic Nutrition, Functional Medicine, Hypnosis, Yoga (500 hrs), Internal Family Systems, Coaching, and more.
I’ve created courses for both therapists and lay people alike. I've had 10,000 students in my live and/or on-demand courses.
Why Travel With Emma?
I am highly adventurous while also responsible and organized. I have been to 34 countries, many of them on my own, and self-guided.
I’ve developed a knack for building fun, off-the-beaten-path itineraries that nourish, inspire, and build lasting memories.
I have created our itinerary with a balance of restoration, connection, nature, environmental sustainability, exploration, and quality continuing education in mind. (P.S. I’ve been to this region in Costa Rica before. It’s truly magical!)
Photo: Me, 26, fresh out of grad school, about to board a one-way plane to Southeast Asia with nothing but a backpack, where I will spend 18 months working and traveling!
Why Costa Rica?
Costa Rica is truly a leader in sustainability and regenerative living. We can learn a lot from this land and its people.
It is the first tropical country to have stopped and then reversed deforestation. Natural forests cover over half of its total land area. Almost all of its energy sources are renewable, and tourism proceeds support conservation projects. And the retreat center where we will stay was named Costa Rica's first carbon-negative company.
The weather in the winter months tends to be dry and comfortable (high 60s/low 70s to low 80s), and the region we are going to is rich in unbelievably naturally turquoise waterfalls and volcanic hot springs.
You will learn just as much from the landscape and retreat center as you will from your continuing education classes about the importance of slowing down and caring for your own body and the planet.
Photo: El Rio Celeste, one of the many stunningly turquoise blue bodies of water in Costa Rica
What Others are Saying...
Sample Retreat Schedule
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Day 1: Ground
Theme: Ground & Arrive
Afternoon: airport transfer
Evening: dinner & opening circle with intro seminar on holistic therapy
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Day 2: Slow Down
Theme: NS regulation, stress, and circadian rhythms
Morning: yoga (optional), meditation, breathwork, and CE
Afternoon: Training on the nervous system & circadian rhythms
Evening: Yoga nidra experiential and group circle
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Day 3: Connect
Theme: Connect to nature, your body, and each other
Morning: yoga (optional), excursion to thermal spa, massage (optional add-on)
Afternoon: Free time, training on adjunctive therapies
Evening: Authentic relating
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Day 4: Nourish
Theme: Nutrition & mental health
Morning: yoga (optional), regenerative farm tour, workshop on nutrition & mindful eating
Afternoon: Cooking class with dinner
Evening: Optional group activity or free time
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Day 5: Move
Theme: Exercise & movement for mental health
Morning: yoga (optional), excursion to a turquoise waterfall, swim, and hike
Afternoon: Free time
Evening: Training on exercise & movement
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Day 6: Spirituality & Integration
Theme: Spiritual integration & clinical practice
Morning: yoga (optional), higher self meditation, Q&A
Afternoon: Workshop on clinical practice applications, use of holistic assessment tools
Evening: Integration circle & closing ceremony
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Day 7: Depart
Agenda: Breakfast, goodbyes, & travel to airport (or elsewhere in Costa Rica for extended travel!)
*Exact excursions are subject to change and still TBA. We can't wait to finalize all the fun things we have planned!
An Embodied Curriculum Designed to Nourish You and Your Practice
Over the week, you’ll explore key holistic therapy concepts with plenty of time for reflection and integration. Our approach blends experiential learning with thoughtful discussion and real-world tools. No boring lectures here!
APA Approved Topics include:
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Introduction to Holistic Therapy & Lifestyle Medicine for Mental Health
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Nervous System Health, Stress Hormones, and the Circadian Rhythm
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Foundational Mindfulness Techniques for Psychotherapy
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Using Yoga Nidra and Evidence-Based Breath Interventions in Psychotherapy
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Nutrition and Mental Health
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Adjunctive Therapies in Mental Health
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Exercise, Movement, and Mental Health
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Transpersonal Psychology Applications in Psychotherapy
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Therapeutic Applications of Holistic Lifestyle Medicine in Clinical Practice
All sessions are designed to be interactive, paced with plenty of time to rest, connect with nature, and allow these teachings to sink in. You will recieve 10 APA hours if you attend in full.
A Living Legacy of Regeneration
Your retreat experience doesn’t end when you leave. For every participant who joins us, HFPI will plant 25 trees in Latin America through our reforestation partner to continue the work of regeneration.
Together, our retreat community will leave behind a thriving forest that restores ecosystems, captures carbon, and protects our planet for future generations.
Testimonials from Colleagues
What's Included
This retreat is designed to be both restorative and practical. Packages start at $3,245, covering:
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7 days / 6 nights lodging at an eco-luxury retreat center
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All organic meals at the retreat center during your stay
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A 10-hour certificate in Holistic Lifestyle Medicine for Mental Health (plus 10 APA-approved CEs)
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Daily yoga, as well as mindfulness, meditation, breath, and wellness practices
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A $100 excursion credit to use toward activities
Comparable personal retreats of this caliber often cost $3,000–$5,000 without professional training or CE hours. We’ve intentionally priced this retreat so you can invest in both your career and your wellbeing at once.
4 Eco-Friendly Lodging Options for Mental Health Professionals
Prices start at just $3,245, including tuition, room, and board. Payment plans are available.
The
Rooms
Twin Bed in a Shared Room: $3,245
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You'll have ample time and space to connect with others
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Bathroom: shared with roommates; private to the room
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Best for: Connection-seekers and budget travelers
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Amenities: Hammocks, handmade soap, all retreat center meals, coffee/tea station, and porch
Queen Bed in a Shared Room: $3,545
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Space and comfort combined. Enjoy the community feel of a shared room with the added comfort of a larger bed.
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Bathroom: shared with roommates; private to the room itself
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Best for: Connection seekers wanting a spacious bed
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Amenities: Hammocks, handmade soap, all retreat center meals, coffee/tea station, and porch
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Note: Only 1 queen bed is left.
Private Queen Bed in Shared Casita: $3,945
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Get the best of both worlds: a private room to share with a friend or partner in a shared casita. Includes a full kitchen and common indoor spaces for connection.
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Bathroom: Private for your room
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Best for: Travelers seeking both privacy and community; those wanting to split a bed with a partner or friend
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Amenities: Hammocks, handmade soap, all retreat center meals, coffee/tea station, and porch
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SOLD OUT; waiting list available
Queen Bed in Private Bungalow: $4,345
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An adorable bungalow (a retreat within a retreat) all to yourself to rest, reflect, and recharge.
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Bathroom: Private just for your bungalow
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Best for: Solo travelers seeking ultimate tranquility and privacy
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Amenities: Hammocks, handmade soap, all retreat center meals, coffee/tea station, and porch
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Notes: Not suitable for sharing. Only 2 available. Secure your spot ASAP to make sure you get ultimate privacy!
SOLD OUT; waiting list available
Imagine waking up to the soft rustle of palm leaves and birdsong outside your window. Morning light filters through the trees as you stretch, smile, and make a fresh cup of Costa Rican coffee.
You pause and thank your past self for saying yes. Yes to this experience. Yes to rest. Yes to you.
The air is warm on your skin. You smile as you think of your only plans for the day: A slow yoga session overlooking the rainforest. Relaxed, meaningful continuing education. A hike to a hidden waterfall. Daydreaming with new friends under the stars.
Burnout is nowhere to be found.
You feel restored. Realigned. Inspired by your work again.
You’re surrounded by a community of kind, wise, holistic-minded clinicians who feel like soul family.
You return home with new tools for your clients, and for yourself... With CE hours in hand and a sense of clarity you didn’t realize you were missing.
And it all began with a single brave leap:
A decision to give yourself the kind of retreat that can restore and realign both you and your practice.”
Frequently Asked Questions
4 Simple Steps to Land You in Paradise
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Request information below. Schedule an optional 30-minute free call to ask your questions
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Make an investment in your future self (this retreat is small and intimate. Sign up to make sure you get a spot + your preferred room)
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Review sign-up details and send some info about yourself so I can curate the retreat with you in mind
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Book your tickets, plan your bags, digitally connect with the others, get excited!