Release
& Renew
A trauma-informed therapy retreat designed to help you pause, listen inwardly, and make space for meaningful change using EMDR and therapeutic approaches. Whether you're new to therapy or continuing your journey, this experience meets you exactly where you are.
A retreat focused on healing through EMDR and Creative Psychotherapy
What's Included
This retreat offers a gentle yet powerful blend of therapeutic and holistic practices to help you explore your internal narrative and set positive intentions for the year ahead. You’ll be guided through:
Whether you're seeking clarity, emotional release, or simply a moment of peace, this retreat is a chance to step away from the noise and nurture your inner resilience.
A 50 minute individual session before the retreat to meet Heather or Susan and spend some time thinking about how the retreat will be most useful to you (online)
EMDR-informed group therapy sessions to help process distressing experiences, anxieties, worries or fears and cultivate self-compassion
Creative workshops to explore and express your inner world through art, writing, and movement
Yoga and meditation to ground your nervous system and restore calm
Group sharing circles to foster connection, belonging, and emotional insight
Three nourishing meals a day prepared by a private chef, designed to support emotional balance and physical energy and some healthy snacks throughout the day.
Beautiful double rooms with en-suite bathrooms, offering comfort, privacy, and space to unwind and the option to share in a spacious twin room with en suite.
Post Retreat Support: To help you continue your journey, we offer a complimentary 50-minute individual online session in the month following the retreat- a chance to reflect, reconnect, and integrate what you've discovered.
Optional Reiki and massage treatments for additional holistic support available at additional cost.
Retreat pricing
Comprehensive healing experience with luxury accommodation and private chef.
Shared Room
Private Room
Your Journey at Release & Renew
From the moment you arrive, every part of the weekend is thoughtfully designed to help you disconnect from the everyday and reconnect with yourself. Here’s a glimpse into the transformative journey.
Friday
Arrival & Intention Setting
our journey begins with a warm welcome as you arrive and settle in from 5:00 PM. You will be guided through a gentle introductory circle with your hosts, Susan and Heather, to ground you in the space and set your intentions for the weekend ahead. After a delicious, nourishing dinner prepared by our private chef, we'll ease you into a state of deep peace with a guided meditation for a truly restful night's sleep.
Saturday
Exploration & Expression
Begin your day with a restorative morning yoga session to gently awaken your senses, followed by a healthy breakfast. The morning is dedicated to profound healing with a professionally guided Group EMDR session, helping you to process distressing experiences and cultivate self-compassion in a safe, supportive environment.
Following a nourishing lunch, the afternoon blends personal time with guided expression. You will have dedicated space for solo relaxation before tapping into your inner world during an expressive creative group session. After a brief break, we'll gather again for a group reflection session to share and integrate the day's discoveries.
After our evening meal, a deeply calming Yin yoga session will soothe your nervous system, preparing you for another night of profound rest and restoration.
Sunday
Integration & Closure
Begin your day with a restorative morning yoga session to gently awaken your senses, followed by a healthy breakfast. The morning is dedicated to profound healing with a professionally guided Group EMDR session, helping you to process distressing experiences and cultivate self-compassion in a safe, supportive environment.
Following a nourishing lunch, the afternoon blends personal time with guided expression. You will have dedicated space for solo relaxation before tapping into your inner world during an expressive creative group session. After a brief break, we'll gather again for a group reflection session to share and integrate the day's discoveries.
After our evening meal, a deeply calming Yin yoga session will soothe your nervous system, preparing you for another night of profound rest and restoration.
Monday
Departure
Our final morning begins with a nourishing breakfast at 8:00 AM, offering a moment for quiet reflection. Check-out is at 9:00 AM. Afterwards, you are welcome to take optional time to explore the local area before your journey home.
Your retreat partners
Susan McQuaker
With over 25 years of experience supporting mental health and wellbeing, Susan brings a wealth of expertise to the retreat's therapeutic sessions. Her dual training in creative arts and psychotherapy allows her to provide a respectful, collaborative, and bespoke therapeutic service. Susan is dedicated to creating a safe, confidential space where you can explore your internal narrative through EMDR and creative expression.
Heather Williams
Heather’s vision is to create restorative spaces where you can truly reconnect with yourself. With over 18 years of experience as a Creative Psychotherapist specialising in trauma, she integrates EMDR therapy with a deeply compassionate and non-judgemental approach. Heather will guide you through the core therapeutic work, helping you feel empowered to pursue meaningful healing and personal growth.
Natasha Lincoln
Natasha provides the grounding and restorative movement for our retreats. With a naturally gentle and nurturing presence , she intuitively blends the strength of Hatha yoga with the deep surrender of Yin. Trained in India as an Integral Hatha Yoga teacher , her sessions are designed to calm your nervous system and help you reconnect with your inner wisdom.
Hayley North
Hayley is our specialist retreat chef who believes food is an integral part of the therapeutic journey. With decades of experience cooking for hundreds of retreats worldwide, she brings an invaluable insider's insight. Her meals are mindfully created to be more than just nourishing, fusing western nutrition with eastern approaches to support your emotional balance and wellbeing throughout the weekend .
Where you'll stay
The upcoming Release & Renew Retreat will be hosted at The Cattle Shed, a beautiful and rustic luxury retreat located in the stunning Peak District National Park. Converted from a former cattle shed, this unique venue provides a tranquil and elegant setting for our retreat.
Our guests will enjoy beautifully appointed en-suite rooms and an open-plan lounge with spectacular views across the Hope Valley. The space is perfect for relaxing in front of a real fire, dining together, or simply taking in the breathtaking scenery. Outside, there is a large, south-facing terrace where guests can dine alfresco, as well as an additional terrace with a barbecue and fire pit, ideal for unwinding under the stars.
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Catering
Embracing natural ingredients, bringing influence from travel, culture and tradition, integrating western nutrition and eastern approaches, Chef Hayley works mindfully and from the heart. The food prepared not only tastes great, but nourishes, brings joy, inspires and educates.
Hear from our clients
FAQs
Here are some common questions about our retreats and the experiences we offer.
Not at all. This retreat is designed to support anyone interested in exploring their inner emotional landscape. While some participants may be navigating recovery from trauma, burnout, or the overwhelm of everyday life, others may simply feel the need to pause, reflect, and reconnect with themselves. Whether you are seeking clarity, rest, or personal growth, this retreat offers a nurturing space and thoughtful resources to guide your journey.
You do not need to have experienced therapy previously; this is the perfect opportunity to gently experience therapy and how it may be helpful to you. The beauty of therapy is it meets you where you are at regardless of experience. We just ask for an openness and willingness to explore your internal narrative.
Yes, this would be an opportunity to take stock and reflect on your therapeutic journey and deepen your connection with yourself.
We understand that life can be unpredictable. If you need to cancel your place on the Release and Revive retreat, please review our policy below:
- All Deposits are non-refundable
- Cancellations before the retreat are non-refundable, unless your place can be filled from our waiting list.
- If the retreat is cancelled by the organisers due to unforeseen circumstances, you will receive a full refund.
- You may transfer your booking to another person with prior approval from the organisers.
We recommend purchasing travel insurance to cover any unexpected changes to your plans.
Travel is not included in the retreat cost.
There is a local taxi firm available which is a short journey to the retreat house.
There is free parking at the accommodation for you to use.
Absolutely! We encourage you to share this transformative experience with someone you trust. Just ensure they also register for the retreat to secure their spot. Together, you can support each other's healing journey.
We recommend bringing the following items to ensure you are comfortable throughout your stay:
- Clothing: Please pack comfortable clothing suitable for yoga, group sessions, and relaxation. We have an outdoor fire pit and lovely walking routes nearby, so we advise bringing a warm coat and appropriate walking shoes.
- Personal Items: Please bring your own toiletries and a journal for reflections. We provide all necessary materials for therapy sessions.
- Yoga Equipment: We provide yoga mats, blocks, and blankets for you to use, but you are welcome to bring your own mat if you prefer.
Yes. All meals are thoughtfully prepared by our in-house chef, focusing on nutritious and delicious options. We accommodate dietary restrictions, so please inform us of any specific needs when booking.
Roommates are introduced upon arrival at the retreat. You will always be allocated a room with a guest of the same gender (unless you have requested to stay with a nominated person). Twin roommates are allocated with careful consideration.
We prioritise the safety and well-being of our guests and carry out a thorough vetting process, which includes a personal form and a private session with one of our therapists for every attendee. This process ensures a safe and respectful environment for everyone.
We highly recommend attending all therapy sessions as they are designed to build upon one another. However, all yoga and meditation sessions are optional, so please feel free to rest if you need to.
To support the therapeutic process and ensure a clear, safe environment for all guests, this is an alcohol-free retreat. We appreciate your cooperation in not bringing alcohol to the venue.
Still have questions?
We're here to help!