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 ATTEND
- Couples struggling in their marriage.
- Couples who want to prevent negative patterns from escalating, and learn proven skills to create a flourishing relationship.
Conscious Creating Retreat
Conscious Creating New Year Retreat
One Saturday, January 3, 2026
Location: Virtual on Zoom
Do you want a flourishing life deeply rooted in your spiritual connection?
Life can be stressful. You may be so consumed with everyday activities that you 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. 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. 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 to self-actualize (Abraham Maslow) … to be my best self.
There are many things I’ve learned about conscious creating, and I want to share them with you.
One of the most important things is that we all have several parts in our inner family. Competing parts can sabotage your success. They have different values, goals, and attitudes. If you don’t figure out how to resolve your inner conflicts, you’ll be far less productive.
Here are some examples.
Your inner high achiever declares she wants to make $150,000 (or whatever your next benchmark is.) If you charge ahead with that goal, you’ll be stressed. You won’t get 8 hours of sleep. You won’t take 30 minutes to meditate daily or to exercise five days a week. You’ll probably work 6 days a week.
Your people-pleasing part begs you to spend more time with your loved ones.
Your inner critic warns you that you may fail, which makes your Adadted Child procrastinate.
Your inner adult wants to increase your knowledge base to propel your career forward. You might want to enroll in a degree program or take continuing education courses.
Your inner free child wants to relax and have more fun. She wants to visit the Grand Canyon and see the Northern lights. She wants a healthy romance where she can cuddle up at night and feel safe, secure, and sexy.
Your inner nurturing parent vows to get at least one massage a week, visit the chiropractor for regular health maintenance, do art work, and visit friends.
Your inner accountant tells you that you don’t have money for all that healthcare and two vacations this year. You’re going to have to create a budget and save money.
Your inner free child doesn’t want to adhere to the discipline of a budget.
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You might feel overwhelmed and ask yourself:
How can I find the time to do it all?
How can I create balance?
Ask yourself these empowering questions:
What is the Holy Spirit urging you to do?
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 the new year, and what do you need to say “no” to … at least for now?
I want you to be successful, and I also want you to feel unconditional positive regard for yourself every step of the way.
Conscious creators are always aspiring to new heights. You’ll never fully “arrive” except when you are fortunate enough to experience moments of enlightenment. That’s when you feel WHOLE … no matter what is happening around you. Hopefully, you get to savor 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.
What happens in the Conscious Creating Retreat?
I love guiding people to dream big and craft actionable steps.
- We’ll ride the wave of group consciousness so it’s easier for everyone to achieve their goals.
- I’ll help you tune into God and listen to the highest callings for your life.
- We’ll take the time to ask important questions so that you can create a life full of rich texture. We’ll meditate and contemplate. There’s no rush.
- We’ll acknowledge what is working well in your life and celebrate that.
- We’ll take a deeper look and ask, “If you were living the most fulfilling life … being true to your Authentic Self … what would that look like?”
- How do you limit yourself?
- What support do you need? From whom?
This is where I come in:

I will help you identify your limiting thoughts. Those pesky thoughts can sneak up on you without you even knowing it. That’s why it helps to have an astute guide walking by your side.
Here’s an example of how people unknowingly sabotage themselves.
You are taught to solve problems from a young age. You want to get rid of what you don’t want … what hurts you … what annoys you … or limits you.
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 problem-solving is trying to get rid of your critical nature. You think you’ll be OK if you can just get rid of it. It always pops back up.
The problem with this approach is that when you don’t feel successful, you get anxious or depressed. You’ve failed again. You try even harder, or your motivation plummets. You don’t have enough energy to propel yourself in the direction of effective action. You may give up entirely or at least for a while. You haven’t figured out the definition of effective action.
Another example of problem-solving is the way people go on a diet. When you eat a piece cake or eat unhealthy fast food, you say, “Screw it. I failed so I’ll eat whatever I want for the rest of the day.” Your pleasure-seeking inner child gets to run free while the inner critic beats you up, and another inner child feels guilty and ashamed. This results in yo-yo weight loss. Most people who lose weight put it back on, plus a few extra pounds within a year or two.
Promises of the Conscious Creating Retreat
If you want long-term results, not short-term fixes, you must do things differently.
- You’ll 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 craft SMART goals consistent with your values.
- You’ll pinpoint the behaviors and beliefs that thwart your success so you can eliminate life-long patterns.
- You’ll proceed in the direction of the path of least resistance.
- You’ll adopt a PROACTIVE model instead of being REACTIVE to life circumstances or your inner family members.
- You’ll experience curiosity 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.
- You will 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.
We’ve got some excavating to do.
Come and clean out the closets in your mind.
Make room for the new.
Create a vacuum.
Invite in the freshly designed life that God has waiting for you.
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Schedule
10:00am – 12 noon Eastern
12:00-1:00pm Break
1:00 – 3pm
Where: Zoom
Tuition: $259
How 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 least expensive 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

Refund Policy
All refund requests must be made via email. Complete the contact form.
• 30 or more days before the retreat, there will be a full refund minus a $50 processing fee.
• No refunds 0 – 29 days before the retreat, but you may apply your fee to private sessions or another retreat within one year, minus a $50 fee.
Facilitator’s Cancellation Policy
If an event must be canceled due to unforeseen events (such as the weather or illness of the facilitator) the event will be rescheduled. Every attempt will be made to accommodate a new date that will suit your needs. If that is not possible, you may apply your tuition to another event of your choice within one year or apply your fee to private sessions.
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.
or
Two days: October 5-6, 2024. Register by September 1.
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 …
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.
- 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.
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.
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.
Tuition: $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.
Location: 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.
Suggested reading: The Path of Least Resistance by Robert Fritz.
Pre-requisite: A minimum of two private sessions with Benita A. Esposito.
Credentials: 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
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
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.
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. You want the structure and guidance a professional counselor can give you. Here, you may schedule a private personal development retreat tailored to your exact needs. This is a deep dive to accelerate your life’s journey. It can be in-person in Young Harris, Georgia, USA or via Zoom.
Retreat Testimonials
“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.
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Contact me, Benita A. Esposito, MA, Licensed Professional Counselor. Schedule a private session, or inquire about a retreat or workshop. Serving clients in Georgia and North Carolina via Zoom.
Lodging & Restaurants, Hiawassee & Young Harris, GA. Hayesville, NC
Book your room early because hotels and B&B’s fill up quickly if there is an event in our tourist town.
LODGING
Brasstown Valley Resort. Beautiful, many amenities and most expensive. Includes hotel lodge rooms and log cabins, spa, golf course, indoor-outdoor saltwater pool, hiking trails. The restaurant and grill are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 6321 U.S. 76, Young Harris, GA 30582.(800)201-3205. 5 minutes from my home. www.brasstownvalley.com
The Ridges Resort. At the foot of my mountain, on the lake next to the marina. Many lake-view rooms. 3499 U.S. 76 Hiawassee, GA 30546. (706) 896-2262. www.theridgesresort.com
Hinton Center, Hayesville, NC. Gorgeous mountain lake views. A Methodist Retreat center, lowest priced lodging, includes small hermitages, cottages and dormitories. 15 minutes from my home. A great deal. Has a cafeteria for a quick breakfast. 2330 Hinton Center Rd., Hayesville, NC 28904. (828) 389-8336. www.hintoncenter.org
RESTAURANTS ~ All are within 5 minutes of Young Harris Retreat Venue
Breakfast and Lunch and Dinner sometimes
• Mary’s Southern Grill at the corner of Hwy. 76 and GA17/NC69. Down-home southern country cookin’ at the foot of my mountain.
Lunch and Dinner – Young Harris and Hiawassee, Georgia
Hawg Wild BBQ And Catfish House. Lunch and dinner. Gorgeous views of the lake. Outdoor dining.
El Cancun Mexican Restaurant. Great views of the lake and casual outdoor dining on the deck.
Brothers Restaurant, Young Harris. Steak and seafood, Amerian cuisine.
Young Harris College buffet and Chic Fil A. (See Cupid Falls just off the campus.)
Asiano’s (Chinese and Japanese)
Rib Country, Hayesville, NC and Hiawassee
Copper Door, Hayesville. elegant, expensive, live music on weekend.
The Oaks Lakeside Kitchen at the Ridges Resort at the bottom of my mountain.
Café Portofino, Hiawassee. Live music on weekends.
Enrico’s Italian Restaurant, Young Harris
Towns County Chamber of Commerce List
Hotels: http://www.mountaintopga.com/hotels_motels_and_resorts.asp
B&B’s: http://www.mountaintopga.com/bed_and_breakfasts.asp





