Couples Relationship Workshop 2024

Fostering Secure Attachment 

through Effective Communication

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One day: Saturday, February 10, 2024

Virtual Communication Skills for Couples Workshop Read more

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Deep Emotional Healing Retreats 2024

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Excavate and express your radiant Authentic Self …

the person God meant you to be.

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Two days: May 18-19, 2024. Register by April 1.

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Two days: October 5-6, 2024. Register by September 1.

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Conscious Creating Retreat

New Year’s Day Retreat 2023

Location: Virtual meeting on Zoom

Registration Deadline: December 17, 2022. 

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How do you like the idea of being an empowered conscious creator while staying deeply rooted in your spiritual connection? 

Our lives, especially during the holidays, are stressful for many of us. We may be so consumed with everyday activities that we don’t stop to reflect on what will generate a truly flourishing life. 

That’s what happened to me for the first half of my life. I was busy with work, relationships, sports and household chores. I thought I was in touch with my Authentic Self, but when things didn’t go the way I wanted, I felt anxious or deflated. Perhaps I made a mistake at work and I felt ashamed. Or maybe my mom or my boyfriend didn’t give me the quality connection I craved. The part of me that didn’t feel whole took center stage, and I didn’t know how to find my way to the core of my being because I didn’t really know who I was.

Trying to feel fulfilled was like riding on a roller coaster … succeeding and failing … rising up and falling down … anxiety mixed with brief periods of ecstasy.

This uncomfortable roller coaster ride motivated me to study how to be the conscious creative force of my life. Normal wasn’t good enough for me. I wanted what Maslow called self-actualization.

There are many things I have to share with you about conscious creating, but one of the most important things is that we all have several parts in our inner family. Sometimes these parts want different things. They have distinctive values, goals and attitudes. If we don’t figure out how to resolve our inner conflicts, we’ll be far less successful than we could be. Here are some examples. 

Our inner high achiever declares that she wants to make $150,000 in 2023 (or whatever your next benchmark is.) But if we charge ahead with that goal, we’ll suffer from the stress. We won’t get 8 hours of sleep. We won’t take 30 minutes to meditate daily or to exercise five days a week. We’ll probably work 6 days a week.

Our people-pleasing part wants to eliminate our irritability and impatience, but our inner critic gets so frustrated with people’s incompetence that she blows up.

Our inner adult, like Mr. Spock on Star Trek, wants to increase our knowledge base to propel our career success. We might want to enroll in a degree program or take several continuing education courses.

Northern Lights by lightscap on unsplash

Our inner free child wants to relax and unwind. She wants to go on vacation, visit the Grand Canyon and see the Northern lights. She wants to create a healthy romance where she can cuddle up at night with her beloved feeling safe, secure and sexy.

Our inner nurturing parent vows to get at least one massage a month, visit the chiropractor for regular health maintenance, do art work, and visit friends.

Our inner accountant tells us that we don’t have money for two vacations this year. We’re going to have to create a budget and save money. The inner free child doesn’t want to adhere to the discipline of a budget.

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You might ask these questions:

How can I find the time to do it all?

How can I create balance?

I ask you these empowering questions:

What is the Holy Spirit urging you to do? Did you ask?

What will help you feel whole no matter if you fail or succeed?

What would you try if you couldn’t fail?

What are you truly passionate about?

What do you want to say “yes” to in 2023 and what do you need to say “no” to … for now?

I want you to be successful AND I also want you to feel unconditional self-acceptance every step of the way.

If you want to upgrade your skills to create a truly flourishing life … not just set and forget New Year’s resolutions … join us for the Conscious Creating Retreat on January 1, 2023. Registration deadline: December 17, 2022. Complete the questionnaire on the Contact Page and tell me you’re interested in the Conscious Creating Retreat. I’ll respond within 48 hours, Monday-Thursday.

 

We’re always aspiring to new heights. We’ll never fully “arrive” except for special moments of enlightenment. That’s when you feel whole … no matter what is happening around you. Hopefully, you get to experience many moments of enlightenment in your lifetime. It’s my greatest joy to design environments where this happens. That’s GOLD.

Knowing your Authentic Self … your spirit-led-self … who is intimately connected with the Holy Spirit is the root of true fulfillment … whether you are succeeding or failing, or happy or sad.

I love guiding people to dream big and craft actionable steps.

We come together in the Conscious Creating Retreat to ride the wave of group consciousness so it’s easier for all of us to expand our abilities to achieve our goals. We tune into God and listen to the highest callings for our lives.

We take the time to ask important questions so that we can create a life full of rich texture. We meditate and contemplate. There’s no rush. We acknowledge what is working well in our lives and we celebrate that.

We take a deeper look and ask, “If I were living the most fulfilling life … being true to my Authentic Self … what would that look like?”

How do I limit myself?

What support do I need?  From whom?

This is where I come in:

I will help you identify your limiting thoughts. Believe me, those pesky thoughts sneak up on us without us even knowing it. That’s why it helps to have an astute guide walking by your side.

Here’s an example of how we unknowingly sabotage ourselves.

We are taught to solve problems from a young age. We want to get rid of what we don’t want … what hurts us … what annoys us or others … or limits us.

In the book, The Path of Least Resistance, Robert Fritz explains that problem-solving is a REACTIVE model. That’s different from creating what you want to bring into being.

One example of this is trying to get rid of our critical nature as referenced above. We think we’ll be OK if we can just get rid of it.

The problem with this approach is that when the going gets tough and we don’t feel successful, we get anxious or dismayed. We’ve failed again. Our motivation plummets. We don’t have enough energy to propel us in the direction of effective action. We may give up entirely or at least for a while.

For example, when people want to lose weight and they eat a piece of cake or five cookies, they say, “Screw it. I failed so I’ll eat whatever I want for the rest of the day.” Their inner child who seeks pleasure gets to run free while the critic beats them up and another inner child feels guilty and ashamed. This results in yo-yo weight loss experiences. Most people who lose weight put it back on, plus a few extra pounds within a year or two.

There’s a better way. If we want long-term results, not short-term fixes, we must do things differently.

In the Conscious Creating Retreat, I will help you pinpoint the behaviors and beliefs that thwart your success. You’ll learn how to proceed in the direction of the path of least resistance.

I will help you learn how to eliminate life-long patterns. You will be able to unlock the door to your metaphorical jail cell and walk out into the daylight of freedom.

That’s what I want for you – the freedom to be you – fully living your Authentic Life in alignment with your Spirit-led-self and God.

In the Conscious Creating Retreat, I’ll teach you a PROACTIVE model grounded in your most precious values.

You’ll learn how to identify your north star, your guiding light, the values that are strong enough to propel you in the direction of creating your desired goals … even when the going gets tough.

You’ll experience passion to think outside the box, find solutions, and take risks to create your fondest dreams while attuned to your Authentic Self and your spiritual connection.

We’ve got some healing and excavating to do.

Come and clean out the closets in your mind.

Make way for the new.

Create a vacuum.

Create a space.

Invite in the freshly designed life that God has waiting just for you!

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Schedule: One day, January 1, 2023. 10am – 5pm Eastern with two one-hour breaks.

Where: Zoom

Tuition: $225. Registration deadline on December 17, 2022.

To apply: Please return the questionnaire on the contact page. Mention your interest in the Conscious Creating Retreat. I’ll respond to you within 48 hours Monday-Thursday.

Facilitator: Benita A. Esposito, MA, LPC, LCMHC

Suggested reading: To get the most out of this retreat, read The Path of Least Resistance by Robert Fritz. It’s OK to buy the inexpensive version.

“… you will find not only the closure to move on, but the bravery and strength to dive deep into new beginnings where you are no longer guided by the past but guided by His Spirit, as He breathes new life into you with every new step you take.”  ~ Morgan Harper Nichols

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Your Authentic Life Personal Growth Retreat

One day, Saturday, September 16, 2017

Register by August 26, 2017.

 

What if you don’t take the risk to be your Authentic Self?

The thought of showing up as your Authentic Self can be exciting and scary. It requires you to take risks, and sometimes you don’t know the outcome before you jump off the proverbial cliff.

Will your marriage weather the transition? Will you still be employed? Will you be embraced by your family and friends … if you dare to be your Authentic Self and tell the truth about who you are?

But …

If you don’t show up as your Authentic Self, love is never fulfilling because your true self hides behind a mask. People can’t reach you and you can’t reach them. You change your behavior to manage people’s impressions, hoping they’ll love you. Or you withdraw to protect yourself, or you fight with your loved ones.
If you don’t show up as your Authentic Self, work is never fulfilling. Even if you get promoted because you’re conscientious, you’re unhappy. You’re not as creative as you could be. You’re not tapped into your sweet spot, shining from your God-given gifts. Without the passion of being fully alive, you feel drained, depressed or anxious.

So why take the risks to show up as Your Authentic Self?

Even when you’re afraid to fully show up, there’s a part of you who still yearns to unfold the truth of your being.

You want to be loved and respected for who you truly are. You want genuine emotional connection. You want to express your unique voice. You feel compelled to share your gifts with the world and leave your legacy.

The truth is: When you take a stand to show up as your Authentic Self, then you will find the people who truly support you. Others may fall away. You have to risk letting go. You must get good at grieving … saying good-bye … so you can say hello to your Authentic Self and the new people who will come into your life.

You must challenge the idea that being true to your self is selfish. Many of us grew up with the idea that it is bad to be self-centered … as if we couldn’t think about ourselves and be kind to others.

Some people will understand you and like you; some people won’t. When you define your true North, and summon the courage to be real, you glisten like a diamond, just as God intended you to shine in the world.

When you pay more attention to your divine blueprint than the opinions of others, only then will you experience true fulfillment.

In this Retreat …

  • You’ll clarify your core values and develop skills to craft the most meaningful life possible for you.
  • You’ll explore the limiting beliefs that hold you back.
  • You’ll learn why thinking positively doesn’t transform entrenched coping patterns.
  • You’ll examine childhood core decisions that have unconsciously thwarted your success.
  • You’ll learn skills to heal difficult emotional experiences that have shaped your life.
  • You’ll increase courage to show up as your Authentic Self, and share your most precious gifts.
  • As a result, you’ll enjoy greater health, happiness and work-life balance.

Who Should Attend?

Singles and Couples: Adults who want to express their Authentic Self, do deep emotional healing so they can successfully reach their life goals. Appropriate for Highly Sensitive People and others.

Retreat View, Young Harris, GA

Retreat View, Young Harris, GA

Why Attend a Retreat?

One-hour therapy sessions are great, but you can make much faster progress with an entire day spent with like-hearted people joined together to help you heal and tap into your full potential.

I will help you connect with your Authentic Self, your Spirit, and the Holy Spirit where healing, wisdom and creativity naturally flow.

This retreat will be tailored to the specific needs of those present.

This retreat unfolds organically to meet each participant’s needs. You will each define your goals, and I will draw on my 40 years of experience to choose specific skills to help you attain your goals. My task is to be present with you, and help you be present each moment, even in your vulnerable emotions. You’ll tell the deepest truth, and connect with your highest wisdom. We’ll mine the gold in the darkness.

When you develop the ability to feel your emotions while staying grounded in your body, you’ll experience an incredible freedom and peace, even in the midst of chaos. You will learn how to remain calm in the peaceful eye of the hurricane while the winds whip all around you. Instead of shrinking back from your fears, you will find your way through the storm, and flourish in the freedom of pure love. You’ll connect with your Authentic Self, just the way God made you.

Like to swim? Bring your suit.

Topics may include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Increase self-confidence, and self-esteem.
  • Create healthy relationships.
  • Improve communication and assertiveness skills.
  • Deepen emotional healing.
  • Eliminate emotional reactivity.
  • Enjoy sweeter spiritual intimacy.
  • Heal family of origin wounds.
  • Achieve work-life balance.
  • Improve self-care and overall health.

Date: One day. Saturday, September 16,  9:30a.m.-5:30 p.m. Please arrive 9:00-9:15a.m.

We’ll have a lunch break for 2 hours so you can go swimming, walk by the lake, meditate or visit with group members. Bring a picnic lunch or go out to eat.

money-visa-blue-morguefile-freeTuition: $240.00. Lunch on your own.

Register early to reserve your seat. Space is limited to 7 participants. Please register by August 26, 2017.

If you have had three or more private therapy sessions with me, you may go ahead and pay with PayPal. Ask me for instructions. Or mail a check to The Esposito Institute, PO Box 1074, Young Harris, GA 30582.

If you are a new client: To apply for participation in this event, complete the Contact form. Give me 3 good times to call you. You’ll receive a complimentary 10-minute phone interview to see how this retreat will benefit you. Prerequisite: 2 private therapy sessions, in-person or videoconference.

HiawasseeLocation: Young Harris, Georgia. Enjoy the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Two hours from Atlanta, Asheville or Chattanooga.

The Old Paradigm

When we judge and suppress or repress our emotional experiences, we get stuck. We learn to wear a mask, protecting our soft under-belly from being hurt. We hide from ourselves and our loved ones. We can’t truly flourish. We may try hard, and we may be very successful in ways defined by the world. But our relationship with our Authentic Self, with our body, with God, and with others becomes compromised. This separation creates dis-ease and unrest on many levels.

The New Paradigm

Contrary to popular opinion, fear, anger, or anguish are not the problem. Emotions are not our enemies and we do not have to get rid of them or release them. This thinking  keeps us stuck in a vicious cycle: feeling good for a while and then feeling bad and ashamed, and then suffering once again.

We need to accept difficult emotions as part of our human experience and stay fully present in our bodies, receiving unconditional love. Then we heal. Health and vitality flow. Relationships flourish. Self-esteem rises.

Retreat Testimonials

Suggested reading: The Path of Least Resistance by Robert Fritz.

Pre-requisite: A minimum of two private sessions with Benita A. Esposito.

 BE July2016Credentials:  Benita A. Esposito, M.A. earned her master’s degree in clinical psychology in 1976. She is a licensed professional counselor, life coach and ordained minister with “The Association for the Integration of the Whole Person.” Benita provides individual and couples private sessions, groups, workshops and weekend retreats.  This retreat is a spiritual healing format, not a psychotherapy format.

—> If you would like a two-day retreat to do more intensive work, join us for the Deep Emotional Healing Retreat October 28-29, 2017.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.”  Jesus, quoted in John 14:12

Copyright 2016.  All rights reserved. The Esposito Institute, Inc.

Psychotherapy: www.Flourishing-Lives.com

Life Coaching: www.SensitiveIntrovert.com anywhere in the world via videoconference

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Success Skills Retreat

One Saturday, December 31, 2016.

9:30AM-5:30PM

Early Bird: Save $39.00 by 12/12/2016

Have you begun to contemplate your goals for 2017? I have. Read more

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Your Authentic Life Annual Beach Retreat 2017

Kihel on Maui, Hawaii. July 13-23, 2017.

Click here to view Maui Beaches

Only two spots left for this retreat.

Women Only.

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Private Personal Development Retreat

If you’re like me, sometimes you feel pulled to go deep inside to explore the inner reaches of your psyche, but you resist doing it by yourself. You need structure and guidance from a qualified expert. Schedule a private personal development retreat just for yourself, tailored to your exact needs … the deep dive necessary to catapult you on your human potential journey. Choose one or two days.

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Retreat Testimonials

Sunset, Panama City Beach, FL

“By working with Benita Esposito over the last eight years in one-on-one and in group settings, I have deeply explored the outer reaches of consciousness, and the inner depths of my body-mind-soul-emotions. Via strong empathetic connections, Benita has intuitively guided me through issues that others in the mainstream medical professions told me I would be living with for the rest of my life.  Benita coaches me to create healthy relationships in personal, business and in community. I benefit most from group retreats where there is a mixture of people’s energies. The extended time to work on things is crucial to digging deep and making major changes, while the beautiful Nature settings give me a soothing arena I need to process the experiences. Jump at the chance to be involved in a retreat as often as possible – that is my recommendation. If a retreat doesn’t suit you, choose another format. It is an honor and a privilege to have Benita as the co-creator of my true destiny and journey towards my Authentic Self.”  ~ L.S. Florida (August 2010)

“As we closed the retreat on Monday, I felt, probably for the first time in my life, a deep grief that I would be leaving a group of people, and a deep desire to continue to be a part of your lives, and have each of you be a part of mine. This is one of the gifts you have all given me this past weekend. My path in life has been a solitary one, and I mostly liked it that way, at the same time feeling lonely, isolated, and different. I never before realized how much I wanted to share myself with others, and to share their path and their experience.” ~ E.W., President, Software Development Consulting, Virginia

“My cheek muscles have been sore since I returned from the retreat. Could this be from smiling so much that it hurts? I have to say, when I left the retreat I had some good gut wrenching cries of loss–and now…. wow, I do believe that joy is here. I am walking around singing, laughing, and just having fun with myself. I feel I want to spread some of this around.”  ~ M.F., Technical Trainer, Colorado

“I just wanted to thank you again for hosting such a wonderful and inspirational weekend retreat. I continued to ride the wave all the way home! As I reflected on one of the weekend’s more intense moments I found myself crying tears of despair, but they were instantaneously transformed into tears of joy as I instinctively felt comfort from the Divine. Thanks to your guidance, I now know how to access the healing, the answers, the wisdom and the love.” ~ B.M., Computer Programmer, Tennessee

“I have never really even entertained the idea of doing a retreat. Scared me to death. This time I had some help coaxing me to go, but I knew I would do it anyway. Once my spirit decided it was the place to be, then it was so powerful that I really had to surrender. So far it’s been one life changing experience after another. Right now I am flying. Can you tell? I mean high! I feel like running up this path barefooted if I have to. What an amazing, amazing life I have!” ~ V.S., Psychotherapist, Atlanta

Click here to view the Retreat Schedule.

To apply for a retreat, send me a message in the comment box on the right side of this page.

Retreats are held in the north Georgia Blue Ridge Mountains or at the Florida Gulf coast.

Facilitator: Benita A. Esposito, MA, Licensed Professional Counselor, Georgia.

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Private Marriage Retreat / Couples Retreat

Whether you have a good relationship and want to make it better, or your marriage is in trouble, I will help you open your hearts to a greater love than you have ever known. Reap the rewards of 40 years of psychological research on what makes masters and disasters of marriage. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor.

WHO SHOULD ATTENDSerious Conversation Couple

  • Couples struggling in their marriage.
  • Engaged, newly married couples or dating couples who want to prevent negative patterns from arising, and learn proven skills to create a strong flourishing relationship.

As couples move beyond the “honeymoon” phase, they encounter conflicts. If not handled skillfully, emotional wounds mount up, adding one more brick in the wall. That hurts. But, there is hope and help.

Even after an affair, marriages can be saved 73-85% of the time according to research. *

It breaks my heart to see couples suffer with the slowness of private counseling sessions. We can cover only so much in 50 minutes once a week. If you have severe conflicts, you touch on the pain, and session is over. That’s so frustrating. You fight again, or you hurt each other with icy silence.

You don’t have to suffer this way. We will skyrocket your success by meeting for one to two days at a time in a Private Couples Retreat.

happy-couple2I recently facilitated a 3-day private marriage retreat. They were thrilled with breakthroughs that they had not been able to experience in one year of marriage counseling with another counselor. Don’t get me wrong. They have a highly skilled marriage counselor, one of the best. I collaborated with their therapist an hour each day of their retreat. The wife said that even the first day we accessed deeper material than in one year of marriage counseling. Their therapist was extremely grateful for my help, and I was honored to assist her and her clients.

Whether you’ve had couples counseling before, or this is your first time, a private couples retreat will greatly accelerate your progress.

I’ll design a retreat tailored to your needs. Couple on sofa

  • Enhance your emotional intimacy and sexual intimacy so you feel loved and understood.
  • Listen to understand each other. Empathize. Lean toward your partner, instead of away, so you stop the loneliness, anger and pain.
  • Express your emotions, thoughts and needs constructively so your partner wants to connect with you.
  • Stop hurting each other.
  • Become each others best friend.
  • Create win-win solutions to meet each other’s core needs. If one of your loses, the relationship loses.
  • If you try to resolve conflicts at the surface level, conflicts will keep repeating like a revolving door. I will help you discover your deepest needs and emotions, and communicate from that deep level.
  • Spot and stop your negative coping patterns when you get triggered.
  • Manage hurt, anger, and fear effectively so you grow in intimacy instead of going quiet or lashing out.couple-holding-hands-black
  • Heal emotional wounds that block intimacy.
  • Apologize and forgive. Reach true reconciliation so you trust each other again.
  • Be true to your Authentic Self. Stop losing yourself in your relationship.
  • Learn how to be assertive, not aggressive nor non-assertive.
  • Stay motivated to do what it takes even when the going gets tough.

If your relationship is not growing, it is dying.

If you want your car to function well for a long time, you take good care of it by giving it regular maintenance. Your marriage deserves this tender loving care also … on a regularly scheduled basis.

When I see couples in private weekly counseling sessions, they sometimes say they can use the skills during our meetings, but they have trouble applying them at home. I jokingly say, “Do I need to come live with you?” Well, this retreat is the next best thing!

Bride and Bridegroom at WeddingCORE VALUES

The secure bond that results from emotional intimacy is the root of all healthy loving relationships. By increasing your ability to love well and communicate in caring ways, everyone benefits: you, your partner, your children, your families, your community and ultimately the world.

PREREQUISITE: The 4-Step Assessment Phase

The purpose of the Assessment Phase is to get know you and your relationship dynamics. We’ll identify the strengths and weaknesses of your relationship, and develop a treatment plan tailored to your exact needs.

In the unlikely event that I determine that a private couples retreat is not in your best interest, I will make appropriate referrals.

Meeting 1: You meet as a couple for 50 minutes ($200.00). If you want to make faster progress, schedule an 80-minute session ($300.00).

Then you’ll take the online Gottman Assessment which is based on John Gottman’s 40 years of research on what makes masters and disasters of marriage. It will show the strengths and weaknesses of your relationship. The fee is $100.00 for the assessment.

Meetings 2 and 3: I meet with you each individually for 50 minutes. $165.00 for each meeting.

Meeting 4: We all meet together for 50 minutes. This meeting is $180.00. I will give you a summary of your relationship strengths and weaknesses, and we will develop your goals. This meeting can kick-off  your Private Couples Retreat, or I may require it before scheduling a Retreat, depending on what I think is best.

THEORY AND TECHNIQUES

I draw on four decades of psychological research, theory and practice as presented in the books below. If you are a Christian, I will include grace-filled principles to tailored to meet your needs. You do not need to be Christian to attend this retreat.

If you want to know what the Private Couples Retreat will be like, read my articles on Relationships and Marriage.

Click on the link below to watch my 24-minute TV interview based on Dr. John Gottman’s research of the four behaviors that predict divorce with 93% accuracy: Four Horsemen: Don’t let them ruin your marriage.

Search for these authors’ books and YouTube videos.

  • Dr. Sue Johnson: Hold Me Tight and Love Sense: The Revolutionary New Science of Romantic Relationships.  Created for connection: The “Hold Me Tight” Guide for Christian Couples. I use Emotionally Focused Couple Therapy.
  • Dr. John Gottman: The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. Purchase the revised edition 2015. The Biblical Reference Guide for the Gottman Method by David Penner and Laura Heck. What Makes Love Last?: How to Build Trust and Avoid Betrayal by John Gottman and Nan Silver. I have completed level 3 of 3 in the Gottman training program. I am a Gottman Leader for public workshops.

Lake Chatuge, Hayesville, NCRETREAT VENUE

Blue Ridge Mountains, Young Harris, Georgia.  ** During the Covid pandemic, all retreats are held on Zoom. **

FUN

In addition to receiving expert guidance to strengthen your marriage from a licensed professional counselor, you might want to combine your private couples retreat with a vacation. Pack a picnic lunch and hike through a forest to a waterfall. Sit by the fire and watch the stars. Rent a canoe, kayak, boat or jet ski. Swim in our clean lake. Enjoy a massage. Dance the night away. Hike the Appalachian Trail. Climb to the top of Brass Town Bald, the highest mountain in Georgia where you can see three other states: North Carolina, Tennessee and South Carolina.

RESTAURANTS and LODGING

Several nearby hotels and restaurants overlook Lake Chatuge and the Blue Ridge Mountains or a golf course.

TUITION

$1,200 per day. 9:30am-5:30pm, includes 6 hours of counseling per day. Plus, the pre-requisite assessment sessions discussed above.

Benita A. EspositoFACILITATOR: Benita A. Esposito is a Licensed Professional Counselor with a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology and four decades professional experience.  Specialties include marriage counseling and couples counseling, highly sensitive people, depression, anxiety, stress management, healing trauma, and healing family of origin issues.

To apply for this Private Marriage Retreat / Couples Retreat:

Please complete the Contact page. You will receive a complementary 15-minute interview. Include your name, email address, phone number and time zone with three best times to reach you.

 

I look forward to helping you create a truly flourishing relationship. It is possible!

Blessings,
Benita A. Esposito, MA, LPC

P.S. Follow-up weekly or bi-weekly sessions or additional one-day retreats will help you deepen the learning until you can maintain a secure healthy connection.

 

T h e   W a l l  (One of my favorite poems)

TallulahGorge_Falls fav

Tallulah Gorge, GA

Their wedding picture mocked them from the table,
These two whose minds no longer touched each other.
They lived with such a heavy barricade between them that
Neither battering ram of words nor
Artillery of touch could break it down.

Somewhere, between the oldest child’s first tooth
And the youngest daughter’s graduation, they lost each other.
Throughout the years, each slowly unraveled that
Tangled ball of string called Self.
And as they tugged at stubborn knots,
Each hid his searching from the other.

Sometimes she cried at night
And begged the whispering darkness
To tell her who she was.
He lay beside her,
Snoring like a hibernating bear,
Unaware of her winter.

Once, after they had made love,
He wanted to tell her how afraid he was of dying.
But, fearing to show his naked soul,
He spoke instead about the beauty of her breasts.

She took a course in modern art,
Trying to find herself in colors
Splashed upon a canvas,
And complained to other women
About men who are insensitive.

He climbed into a tomb called the office,
Wrapped his mind in a shroud of paper figures
And buried himself in customers.

Slowly, the wall between them rose,
Cemented by the mortar of indifference.
One day, reaching out to touch each other,
They found a barrier they could not penetrate;
And recoiling from the coldness of the stones,
Each retreated from the struggle on the other side.

For when love dies,
It is not in a moment of angry battle,
Nor when fiery bodies lose their heat.
It lies, panting, exhausted …
Expiring at the bottom of the wall
It could not scale.

Author Unknown

* Research from Dr. John Gottman and Dr. Sue Johnson indicate a success rate of 73-85% with these particular therapies. This is higher than any other method of couple/marriage counseling. That’s why I use them.

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Deep Emotional Healing Retreat October 2015

Explore, Excavate, Express your Authentic Self. 

Retreat Dates: October 30-November 1, 2015.

Early Bird Date: 9/19/15. Save $40.00.  

fall-leavesUnresolved emotional wounds decrease your ability to create fulfilling relationships, a meaningful career, and increase anxiety. Eventually, these wounds will also take a toll on your physical health.

What Makes My Retreats so Powerful?

This retreat is a safe place for you to dive deep into emotional healing so you can experience major transformation in a compressed time. Private counseling sessions of 55 minutes just don’t allow for this kind of deep healing.  Here, you have an entire weekend to explore emotional material, peel away layer after layer, allowing your Authentic Self to shine brightly. You will benefit from my 4 decades of professional counseling expertise, but the most powerful healing force is the Holy Spirit. You can achieve 6-12 months worth of progress in one weekend. Really!

Resolve family of origin wounds and the limiting patterns that were set up because of them. This is sometimes called “shadow work.” When the clouds vanish, the sun shines through.

RELATIONSHIPS:happy-couple2

Married: Are you frustrated with conflicts that just won’t stop? Do you get emotionally triggered, even when you don’t want that to happen?

Singles: Do you want to prepare yourself for a healthy fulfilling relationship? You know that when you upgrade your own consciousness, you will attract a romantic partner who functions on a higher level.

Or, do you have a  strained relationship with a child or parent?  Learn how to remain true to your Authentic Self and set healthy boundaries for self-care while building healthy relationships. Communicate in ways that help everyone feel safe: safe to open, explore, and grow.

SELF-AWARENESS: Do limiting thoughts and “monkey-mind chatter” create worry? Do you suspect that unresolved emotional wounds from your family of origin may be sabotaging your relationships? Examples are: physical or sexual abuse, emotional or verbal abuse, physical abuse, emotional neglect or emotional detachment. Do you suspect that unhealed wounds may be contributing to ill health, obesity, damaged relationships or limits to your career?  Do you procrastinate or avoid conflicts?  I will help you dig deep to examine your patterns, become more self-aware, and heal emotional wounds so you can be set free. Before you can create flourishing relationships, you must know your Authentic Self. Paradoxically, this means that you must accept yourself right were you are, and then you are set free to change.

CAREER: Do you find yourself working too much? You don’t have enough time for your family or “me” time? Do you want to create a meaningful career that reflects your true Authentic Self? Are you frustrated because you do not receive appropriate compensation?  Do you sense the creative reservoir within, but you don’t fully express your gifts in the world? I’ll help you excavate the wisdom that already lies within you so you can shine as your Authentic Self in your career.

HEALTH: Do you experience physical illness or pain? Do you sense there might be an emotional, spiritual or lifestyle component that needs to be resolved? When you heal the psycho-spiritual root, many times pain lessens or disappears. You body feels safe to relax. Your body heals faster. I’ll help you uncover the core cause of the dis-ease and experience God’s healing grace.

EYE Micah Morrow Morguefiel.com freeSPIRITUALITY: Do you feel called to your next step of spiritual growth? Is divine discontentment knocking at your door? Experience the sweetness of spiritual intimacy nestled in unconditional love. Jesus’ greatest commandment is to love God, and to love each other as ourselves. That means that you must fully love your self. Allow this love to grow in you, as you.

The Promise of the Retreat

Lift your relationships, career, health and spirituality to a whole new level.

Experience rigorous yet gentle leadership tailored to your unique learning style. Receive insights so compelling that you naturally flow into effective action instead of getting bogged down in self-defeating patterns. Allow God’s love to flood you, heal you and release wave after wave of creativity. Bask in the sweetness of spiritual intimacy, drawing ever closer to God, our source of rich and deep healing. Enjoy accelerated healing in the beauty of our mountain lake.

Lake Chatuge, Hayesville, NC

Lake Chatuge, Hayesville, NC

Location: My home overlooking the Blue Ridge Mountains and Lake Chatuge, bordered by the Chattahoochee National Forest. Young Harris, GA. Two hours from Atlanta, Chattanooga and Asheville.

Retreat Activities. You will complete a questionnaire three weeks before the retreat telling me exactly what you want to create in your life. I will design processes to meet your specific needs. The agenda remains fluid throughout the retreat so that we optimize results for everyone.

There will be several types of experiential learning formats to facilitate your deep transformation:  (1) I will coach you while the group learns vicariously. Group members learn more than they ever thought possible by observing someone else being coached. We have plenty of  Q&A sessions to answer all your questions.

(2) Several people who have similar issues will participate in a process simultaneously.

(3) We will have at least one long Breathwork session which will create deep spiritual-psychological-emotional-physical transformation. (Click here to read two client stories about breathwork.)

(4) Short lectures, written exercises, hand-outs, movement to music, mindfulness, deep breathing, relaxation, body-awareness activities, and didactic conversations.

Read this before applying for this retreat.

FAQs – Breathwork

FAQs – What is it like to attend a Retreat?

TallulahGorgeFalls BEspositoSchedule: October 30 – November 1, 2015

Friday 7:00pm-9:00pm. Introductions. 

Saturday and Sunday

Group 9am – 12:00pm

Break  12 – 2:00pm

Group  2:00 – 5 or 6:00pm

Saturday evening: group dinner.

Please be flexible on the ending time to accommodate the needs of the group.

We will take one long break during the afternoon to exercise at the Lake, meditate, nap or deepen friendships. It’s your choice.

Prerequisite:  New clients must have at least 3 private sessions. This can be on the phone or video-conference. Retreats are intense, so I need to make sure you are prepared.

Tuition $495.00 (Meals and lodging are on your own.)Rhodie, Fuscia 27KB

Early Bird $450. Save $40 when you pay in full by midnight 9/19/14. A deposit of $50 holds your place. Pay with PayPal.

Enrollment is by invitation only.  For an interview, schedule a phone appointment with Benita Esposito. Call 770.998.6642

Prerequisite: A minimum of 3 private sessions.

Note: Every retreat is different and is designed to meet the needs of the specific participants. Some people like to attend several retreats a year for several years, deepening their growth, and renewing friendships with other participants.

Facilitator: Benita A. Esposito

Benita is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Christian Healer with four decades experience. I respect your beliefs, including all spiritual paths that advocate love and respect for life.BE_Hat_side 6Jul13

Testimonials

Last night while soaking in the hot tub, I had a mental slideshow of past retreats and how transformative they’ve been for me.  For many years there’s been a deep ache inside of me because my father didn’t affirm me. This unresolved pain caused great difficulty with my romantic relationships. During the breathwork session at the last retreat, while I was in a dreamy state, I appeared as a radiant bride and my Dad finally gave me the adoration I have wanted all my life. Now six months later, I still feel the love that was planted in me during that retreat. What a priceless journey, worth more than gold!  – T.H, Entrepreneur

“By working with Benita Esposito over the last eight years in one-on-one and in group settings, I have deeply explored the outer reaches of consciousness, and the inner depths of my body-mind-soul-emotions. Via strong empathetic connection with me, Benita has intuitively guided me and coached me through issues so I can create healthy personal and business relationships. I benefit most from group retreats where there is a mixture of people’s energies. The extended time to work on things is crucial to digging deep and making major changes, while the beautiful Nature settings give me the soothing arena I need to process the experiences. Jump at the chance to be involved in a retreat as often as possible – that is my recommendation. If a retreat doesn’t suit you, choose another format. It is an honor and a privilege to have Benita as the co-creator of my true destiny and journey towards my Authentic Self.”  ~ L.S., Software Engineer

Black yg woman in yellow“As we closed the retreat on Monday, I felt, probably for the first time in my life, a deep grief that I would be leaving a group of people, and a deep desire to continue to be a part of your lives, and have each of you be a part of mine. This is one of the gifts you have all given me this past weekend. My path in life has been a solitary one, and I mostly liked it that way, but at the same time I felt lonely, isolated, and different. I never before realized how much I wanted to share myself with others, and to share their path and their experience.” E.W., Software Development Consultant

“My cheek muscles have been sore since I returned from the retreat. Could this be from smiling so much that it hurts? I have to say, when I left the retreat I had some good gut wrenching cries of loss and now…. wow, I do believe that joy is here. I am walking around singing, laughing, and just having fun with myself.  I want to spread this around to everyone.”- M.F., Technical Trainer

“I just wanted to thank you again for hosting such a wonderful and inspirational weekend retreat. I continued to ride the wave all the way home! As I reflected on one of the weekend’s more intense moments I found myself crying tears of despair, but they were instantaneously transformed into tears of joy as I instinctively felt comfort from the Divine. Thanks to your guidance, I now know how to access the healing, the answers, the wisdom and the love.” ~B.M., Computer Programmer

Happy mature woman outdoors in the park

“I had never really even entertained the idea of doing a retreat. Scared me to death. This time I had some help coaxing me to go, but I knew I would do it anyway. Once my spirit decided it was the place to be, then it was so powerful that I had to surrender. So far it’s been one life changing experience after another. Right now I am flying. Can you tell? I mean high! I feel like running up this path barefooted if I have to. What an amazing life I have!” – V.S., Psychotherapist

Click here to read 2 retreat stories.

View the list of hotels and restaurants. Book your hotel early. Space fills up quickly if there is a convention in town.

Tuition: $495.00Success Starts Here FlashBuddy Morguefile Free

Early Bird $455.00. Save $40 when you pay in full by September 19.

Want to make 2 payments? That’s OK. Call me.

To Register, call or email Benita A. Esposito, LPC. Cell: 770.998.6642

Email: Benita@EspositoInstitute.com

Reserve your seat now to ensure your seat. This small intimate retreat consists of 5-7 people. (I will hold the retreat with only 4 people, but we will only meet Saturday and Sunday, 9am-5pm.)

Pay with your bank account, credit or debit card on PayPal.com.  Or mail a check to: The Esposito Institute, P.O. Box 1074, Young Harris, GA 30582. Cash is fine, too.

Want to save money on lodging? There are two private bedrooms available in the apartment in my home. Please contact me for reservations @ $39 per night per person. Call 770.998.6642. After the bedrooms are filled, you may sleep on a deluxe air mattress in the living room (overlooking the lake and mountains) for $25/night.

Refund Policy • 26 or more days before the retreat, there will be a full refund minus a $50 processing fee. • 15-25 days before the retreat, there will be a 50% refund, minus a $50 processing fee. • No refunds 0 – 14 days before the retreat.

“When you polish your facet of the diamond, the whole diamond glows more brilliantly.” ~ Benita A. Esposito, MA, Licensed Professional Counselor

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