Do you think you might be depressed? Or, are you concerned about a loved one?
Click on the link to complete the assessment. If you answer “yes” to 5 or more of the symptoms, it is wise to get counseling. Depression Checklist
Contact me for a complementary 10-minute get-acquainted phone meeting. Life can get better. Help is available.
Want a quick way to transform a depressed or anxious mood?
Because the heart’ s force field is 5,000 greater than the brain, the heart can entrain the brain. HeartMath Institute’s research suggests this meditation: Read more
The following dialogue will give you a glimpse of typical concerns people experience as they decide to attend a Retreat. I refer to myself as ‘BE’ in the dialogue. These photographs are pictures from our Labor Day retreat at the Florida panhandle.
Click here to view the complete Retreat schedule.
Client: What will happen at the retreat?
BE: Every retreat is different because they evolve organically based on the needs of the participants. You begin by completing a questionnaire to help you define your goals. Instead of expecting me to lead you through a specific set of exercises, you are an active co-creator along with the other participants. We stay focused on excavating Your Authentic Self, and transforming patterns that have prevented you from living a truly fulfilling life. You’ll learn tools to successfully attain your goals. You will define your core values, your uniqueness, and draw a picture of the life that would be most fulfilling for you. As you proceed toward creating the life of your dreams, it’s natural for fears and doubts to arise. You’ll learn how to eliminate resistance so you continually move to a higher level of excellence … who God made you to be … Your Authentic Self.
This is a retreat where deep emotional processing is done. There’s nothing superficial about it. Think of the word “deep,” deeper than you’ve ever gone. That’s where we’re going. We also have lots of fun and there’s plenty of lightness. We have time to meditate and take naps and rejuvenate. We have time to play. Think of the words “inner peace.” Think of the words “balance and healthy living.” I support you to do that at the retreat so you can implement it in your daily schedule when you return home.
Client: I’m nervous. I’ve never done anything like this before.
BE: That’s normal. I’ve done tons of retreats, and sometimes I still get nervous. When we move out of our known reality, our ego gets scared. It doesn’t want to let go of its comfort zone. That’s understandable. But our spirit, our Authentic Self, calls us forward. One time I attended a 5-day retreat and I was so nervous I had diarrhea the day before and the whole first day of the retreat. I told one of the support staff and she said, “Oh, we’ve all had that. You learn how to deal with it and continue to participate.” I found the bathrooms quickly. In our retreat, it’s important to bring with you whatever feelings you have. There’s no judgement. That’s one of rules of the retreat. It’s OK to feel how you feel and still show up and be real.
Client: I’ve been this way for so long. I always try to make people happy. If they are not happy, I’m not happy. I’m afraid to be my Authentic Self. 
BE: I accept you where you are. I will support you to understand the pattern fully so you can change it. I’ll support you to develop your self-esteem. I’ll be a catalyst for you to develop the courage and take the risks to fully show up as your Authentic Self, not the mask you’ve grown to believe is the real you.
Client: I wonder, “Who am I really behind all this programming?”
BE: You are growing and you have come a long way. One of the major issues I dealt with when I was doing heavy-duty transformational work was comparing myself to others, or comparing myself to an ideal standard that I should be functioning at. I came to realize that the act of comparing myself created painful suffering over and over again. I didn’t love myself very much, although I thought I did. I wasn’t good at self-forgiveness. This is an example of an issue that might come up at the retreat.
Client: I’m concerned my spouse won’t want me to attend the retreat. He will say that what I need isn’t important.
BE: Ask yourself these questions. Do you deserve a safe place to heal? Do you deserve to be with like-minded people? How important is it to uncover and express your Authentic Self? Are you worth it? This is a self-esteem issue.
Client: This retreat is something I need to do for myself. I will say to him, “I know you may not agree with it. I’ve already got time off work. I hope you can understand.’” Then he’ll ask about the money for the retreat, and I’ll say “I’ve got it covered.”
BE: Great answer.
Client: I don’t know if I’ll like my Authentic Self.
BE: Your programmed self, or your ego we could call it, may feel awkward and scared, like a fish flopping around on the shore. Ask this: “Who is the ‘I’ who won’t like my Authentic Self? Who have I identified with? What is my programming for survival?” That is not the real you. I suggest you do this exercise with every challenge you come upon. Ask yourself “What would a woman say or do who has high self-esteem? Begin each morning with this contemplation. How does God see me? What does God want to do?
Client: Do you have any ground rules?
Photo by Benita A. Esposito
BE: Yes, I do. These guidelines promote maximum growth ad healing for everyone.
Photo by Erica Wieland
Panama City Beach. Photo by Benita A. Esposito
These are only some of the issues that participants face as they decide to enter a retreat. Questions are normal and I am happy to address them.
I am like an orchestra leader, helping each person play their instrument well and weaving it together with the entire group so the concerto can be played beautifully. The concerto, in this case, is your life and how you interact with the group at the retreat.
As more and more of us do this kind of healing transformational work, we uplift our families, our communities and our world.
The Retreat Invitation
If you would like to speak with me about the possibility of attending our next retreat, please click the Contact Page. Tell me 3 good times for you to talk. Please leave your name, phone number and email address. This is a complementary phone interview to determine if this retreat is a good match for you. If it isn’t, I’ll do my best to recommend other supportive formats for you.
Pre-requisites: You must have a minimum of three private sessions before attending this retreat so it is important to contact me ASAP.
To see the Retreat schedule, click here.
Facilitator: Benita A. Esposito, MA
Licensed Professional Counselor
The Esposito Institute, Inc.
Click here to contact Benita to inquire about private sessions or retreats.
Psychotherapy Website: www.Flourishing-Lives.com
Life Coaching and Spiritual Counseling: www.SensitiveIntrovert.com
Specialties: Couples counseling, personal development, divorce, emotional roots of disease, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, grief, and success skills. Combining intuition and evidence-based practices, Benita gets to the bottom line quickly to help clients create flourishing personal and professional lives. Psychotherapy is available in-person in Blairsville, Georiga. Life coaching and spiritual counseling for high achievers is available worldwide via telephone and videoconference. In this retreat, Benita functions as an ordained minister with AIWP, applying hands-on-healing as appropriate and invited.
