Retreats Guided by Psychological Insight, Nature, and Human Connection.
Next Retreat: February 25 to March 1, 2026 | Vermont
For women navigating a new phase of midlife
Are you ready to pause and reconnect
with yourself?
Many people reach a point where life looks full on the outside yet feels unsteady on the inside. You may be moving through a major change, feeling disconnected from yourself, or questioning your direction. The pace of daily life can leave little space to breathe, reflect, or hear yourself clearly. Athara’s retreats are created for these moments. They offer a grounded environment where you can step back from routine, reconnect with what matters, and gain the clarity that is often hard to access on your own.
Athara’s retreats provide a calm and steady space to pause, reflect, and realign. Grounded in principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and shaped through warm, experienced coaching, they blend psychological insight with the grounding presence of nature and supportive group connection.
This is not therapy. These retreats offer practical, evidence-informed tools to help you see your patterns more clearly, reconnect with your values, and move forward with purpose and confidence. These retreats take place in the calm, natural surroundings of Vermont, where open landscapes create space to reflect and reconnect. Explore what an Athara retreat could open up for you…
At Athara, nature and adventure
belong to everyone.
Connection to nature is at the heart of every Athara experience. You do not need any particular level of fitness or outdoor experience. The mountains offer clarity whether you prefer gentle walking, quiet stillness, or more active movement. Our approach to adventure is inclusive. It can look like time outdoors, journaling by a fire, reflective conversation, or simply creating space to listen to yourself. Whatever your pace or experience, the mountains meet you where you are.
Athara’s retreats are designed for all sorts of people moving through change, going through identity shifts, and other life transitions that call for fresh perspective. Whether you are seeking clarity, renewing your confidence, or beginning a new chapter, these experiences offer a grounded, human space to realign.
Upcoming Athara Retreats
Meet your guide Seoka Salstrom, PhD
Athara retreats are facilitated by Seoka Salstrom, PhD, a clinical psychologist with more than twenty years of experience supporting people through change. Seoka brings a warm, grounded, and practical approach to helping people reconnect with themselves. Her facilitation blends ACT-informed coaching, time in nature, guided reflection, and gentle structure to support clarity and resilience.
ACT in a retreat setting is not therapy. It is a supportive partnership designed to help you reconnect with what matters, understand your patterns, and move forward with steadiness and intention.
What an Athara Retreat Offers
During an Athara retreat, you will have the time and support to step back from daily life and reconnect with what feels important. Each retreat blends psychological insight, time in nature, and small-group connection to create an environment where you can reflect, reset, and see yourself with greater clarity.
You may:
-take part in ACT-informed sessions that help you understand your patterns and reconnect with your values.
-have space to slow down, journal, reflect, and listen to yourself without distraction.
-share meals, conversation, and meaningful connection with a small group.
-receive warm, experienced guidance that supports clarity, confidence, and steadiness.
-spend time outdoors in ways that feel natural to you, from gentle walking and stillness to more active movement if that is part of how you connect.
Nature supports this work by helping you create space, perspective, and presence. You do not need any particular level of fitness. There is something for everyone, whether you prefer movement or stillness.
You will leave with practical tools for daily life, a clearer understanding of your direction, and a renewed sense of inner steadiness.
Who Our Retreats Are For
You may feel drawn to an Athara retreat if something in your life is shifting and you want space to understand it, or if you are simply craving a meaningful break from the pace of daily life. These retreats offer a thoughtful blend of reflection, grounding, and adventure, giving you the chance to reconnect with yourself while experiencing the outdoors in whatever way feels right for you.
You might be:
navigating perimenopause, menopause, or midlife and wanting steadiness, clarity, or renewed energy
entering a new stage of your life and sensing changes in identity, purpose, or direction
moving through relationship transitions, career shifts, or moments of uncertainty
in your twenties or thirties and wanting confidence, identity clarity, and deeper self trust
craving experiences that combine reflection with the freedom to explore, move, or be outdoors in a way that feels natural to you
wanting a retreat that offers both grounding insight and the space to simply enjoy yourself, whether through gentle activity, time in nature, or restorative rest
All activity is optional and shaped entirely around your pace. These retreats welcome anyone wanting a reflective, grounding, and adventurous experience held in nature, supported by psychological insight and warm, intentional guidance.
Would you like to discuss an upcoming retreat?
Retreat FAQS
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Whether you're an empty nester, a new parent, a dedicated professional, a caregiver, recently retired, or navigating a transition that defies labels— you belong here.
The practices we explore are powerful because they resonate across life stages. Challenges like burnout, overwhelm, and disconnection are not confined to one phase of life—they’re part of the human experience.
Our retreats welcome individuals aged 21 and above from all walks of life.
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We intentionally create a safe, judgment-free space where vulnerability is welcomed and respected. Group sizes are small to allow deep connection and personal attention. Confidentiality and mutual respect are at the core of our group agreements, which are the foundation of our time together. Disrespectful or disruptive behavior will not be tolerated.
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The 7-day experience follows a carefully designed, yet flexible flow rooted in neuroscience:
Deep Rest
Exploration
Integration
Frequent breaks, optional movement, outdoor activities, and cultural tours are woven into the week to ensure balance. Please take a look at the entire list of what’s included here.
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We offer integrated support, including:
Pre-retreat virtual orientation
Optional follow-up group and individual video calls
A supportive email series for post-retreat grounding
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We’re thrilled that you want to join us! To secure your spot, please pay the deposit. After that, Seoka will reach out to you via email to set a time to discuss the retreat further. If it seems that this retreat aligns well with your interests and goals, we’ll officially confirm your participation. And if it turns out it’s not quite the right fit, no worries—your deposit will be fully refunded.
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We partner with cozy, local guesthouses and retreat centers in Southern France that provide comfort, privacy, and French charm. Each location is carefully chosen to help you rest deeply after a day of learning and introspection. Click into a retreat to see the accommodation chosen for that week.
There are single room supplements available for an additional fee. Solo travelers wishing to be partnered in a double room will be paired at random with another traveler of the same gender identity.
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Yes—but a small one. We limit the retreat to 8–12 participants to cultivate connection with self and others. Many participants join solo, and strong bonds often form quickly in this nurturing, inclusive atmosphere.
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Absolutely. We are committed to sustainable and ethical travel, including:
- Supporting local inns, guides, and artisans
- Following Leave No Trace outdoor principles
- Enjoying locally sourced, seasonal meals
We believe in honoring the people and land we visit.