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Couples Retreat: Seeing the One You Love.
Are you and your partner looking for the adventure of a lifetime while working on your relationship?
Our unique nature retreat for couples offers a very intimate space to connect and receive support designed specifically for you and your partner. Highly skilled therapists Dr. Nadia Arbles and Rita Gendelman will guide you into the adventure of a lifetime to the most pristine Nature on Earth to discover intimate connection with self and another. During couples counseling and individual therapy, they will teach you to feel into the vulnerability that lies behind resentment, anger, shame, guilt, and betrayal. When we can connect with our vulnerability the heart softens and opens for Love.
Program At A Glance
A Typical Retreat Day
- Morning yoga, Sun salutation, Connection
- Breakfast
- Circle of Intentions
- Family Constellation
- Lunch
- Break out for individual therapy sessions, explorations, reflections, rest, individual quests
- Dinner
- Reflection evening circle, sharing from the heart
Therapy Modalities Utilized
Our 2 Highly trained and licensed therapists will offer group and individual therapy using the following modalities:
- EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing)
- Family Constellations
Retreat Features
Location
Accommodations
Location
The program will take place in the beautiful Hawaii paradise of the Big Island, the Island of Hawai’i. We have a special location that we will share with you in the process of the interview. You will be flying to Hilo or Kona airport and you will be traveling to the meet up point on your own. We will provide a specific location when we meet shortly before your arrival. Please be advised that the location may change based on the unpredictable tropical weather conditions.
Food
Accommodations
Location
You will nourish your body with the food of your choice that you will bring with you as part of the backpacking experience. Every participant will practice being self-sufficient during this unique retreat. You will cook your own food using a backpacking stove. You will be guided in how to survive in the wilderness and eat from the Land. For example, upon requests, we can teach you how to pick opihi (Hawaiian sea mussels), local herbs for tea, open your own coconut, and catch your own fish. We can also teach you how to build a simple sun shelter and a fire. Suggestions for food to bring with you will be given in the Backpacking Gear list, as well as pictures and videos in the FAQ section.
Accommodations
Accommodations
Accommodations
You will be fully immersed and nurtured by tropical Nature of the secret area of the Volcano National Park or another magical location on the Big Island (depending on the weather and group preferences). We will hike away to a Hawaii paradise oasis, away from the distractions and pressures and responsibilities of the dynamic world we live in. You will have an option to sleep in the hammock (like many people in tropics do), being wrapped like a baby in mother’s womb enjoying the Mahina moon shining at you and stars whispering magic in your dream. The Ocean’s lullaby will soothe you into sleep. You can also choose to sleep in your own tent or do both. You will be guided in setting up your camp and sleeping arrangements by the guides.
Skill Level
Skill Level
Accommodations
You should be able to hike between 6 to 12 miles one way with approximately 25-35 lbs backpack through the lava desert terrain. The distance and the location will depend on weather conditions, requests of the participants and fitness level of the majority.
Gear
Skill Level
Gear
You will be provided a list of suggested gear for your smooth backpacking experience, including pictures and videos of what you will need. Please, find that information in the FAQ section. You will be offered to borrow some gear upon arrival. You will need to communicate what you need with the guides. If you damage or lose any gear, you will be responsible to compensate the guides for it in the price of a new item even if it was used. Should you choose to leave some items with the guides, they are not responsible for reimbursing you for it.
What Makes This Retreat Special
- First of all, this Retreat is offered at a very unique, sacred location in the tropics of Hawai’i away from civilization. You get to unplug from all the distractions and stressors of everyday life.
- This is the only Retreat in Hawai’i that is offered in the format of a backpacking experience. We don’t know a single therapist here who would want to exert themselves and step out of their nice air conditioned office for such an extended period of time. Rita and I are intentionally incorporating wilderness therapy aspects because of the incredible benefits and healing effects of immersing in Nature and eating off the land.
- This is not your typical wellness Retreat - this is a full on therapy experience where you get comprehensive care - individual, couples, and group therapy while being immersed in beautiful Nature. Plus! You get an opportunity to learn survival skills. So, it is almost like an adult version of a boy/girl scout camp plus a survivor show experience.
- There are 2 highly trained therapists on board who will be available to you 24 hours for 5 days! No other Retreat offers this!
- You get to choose your own “quarters” in Nature. You will decide where you want your special place to be, as far as your tent or your hammock (within the location of the camp).
- You can design your own Retreat within the program. You will participate in developing your own healing plan and schedule. Some of the activities will be all inclusive, some will be chosen based on your preferences and needs.
Your Leaders
Dr. Nadia Arbles
I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, born and raised in Siberia. Growing up in such harsh climate I was told that there was a place with no winter called Hawaii. Since then I decided to go check it out. I got my AA in TEFL and then I moved to the Far East to get my BA and a Specialist degree in Social Work. In 2006 I got a scholarship to study Counseling at The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). My first spring break I went to Hawaii and I knew right away it was my home.
I graduated with a PhD in Counseling and Supervision in 2012 from The University of Mississippi. I applied for an only open position at the University system in Hawaii at that time and I got it! This is how I ended up (very intentionally) living on the Big Island. Today, I am married and we have a child. I am enjoying my life in Hawaii, and most importantly I feel blessed that I have such opportunity to make a difference in other people's lives. Hawaii is a unique place on Earth and it offers a plethora of natural resources that can be used in healing wounded souls. I am so happy that I can facilitate such a process. Learn More About Nadia,
Rita Gendelman
My name is Rita Gendelman, I was born in Ukraine. Presently, I have a master’s in occupational therapy, a certified N.E.T (neuro-emotional-technique) practitioner and a certified Lifeline technique practitioner and a family constellation facilitator. I have had the honor to touch the lives of over 500 couples and families raising children on the autism spectrum while living in NYC. The foundation of my work is to tap into the resilience of the nervous system, beautifully explained by the Polyvagal theory based on the work of Dr. Porges. I as well, have taught at post-graduate programs on the topic of the power of a couple (parents) and it’s influence on the overall health of the family system. My deepest passion is being in the presence of a couple who deeply desire to open their hearts and come back home to one another. Moving to Hawaii in the last two years has been a true blessing because now I can spend time in nature supporting couples in their pain while guiding them to their deepest transformation.