Retreats Guided by Psychological Insight, Nature, and Human Connection.
Next Retreat: February 25 to March 1, 2026 | Vermont
For women navigating the next 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 small group retreats provide a calm and steady space to pause, reflect, and realign.
Rooted in principles from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and shaped through the warm, experienced coaching of Seoka Salstrom, PhD, psychological insight is blended with the grounding presence of nature and a supportive group connection. This is not therapy. These retreats offer practical, evidence-based tools to help you see your patterns more clearly, reconnect with your values, and move forward with purpose and confidence. Our winter/spring 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 in early adulthood, and other life transitions that call for a fresh perspective. Whether you are seeking clarity, renewing your confidence, or beginning a new chapter, these experiences offer a restorative, human space to realign.
Upcoming Athara Retreats
Womens’ Midlife Retreat Vermont
A retreat for women in their 40s, 50s and 60s.
A Retreat for All Adults
Vermont
A retreat for men and women of all ages.
Becoming You Retreat Vermont
A retreat for women in their 20s and 30s.
Perimenopause Retreat in Norway
A retreat for women in their 40s and 50s.
Becoming You Retreat
in France
A retreat for women in their 20s and 30s.
Women’s Midlife Retreat in France
A retreat for women in their 50s and 60s.
Bringing Love and Science Together
with Compassion and Humor
Seoka Salstrom, PhD, is a clinical psychologist with over 20 years of experience. As retreat leader and coach, she weaves together evidence-based practices from Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and ancient wisdom. Through experiential workshops, guided reflection, and a supportive community, you’ll gain practical tools to reconnect with your inner clarity and begin making meaningful changes that align with who you truly are and the life you want to create.
ACT focuses on mindful, value-based living as well as learning from your discomfort rather than avoiding it. In a coaching and retreat setting, ACT isn’t therapy - it’s a collaborative partnership for intentional growth, designed to help you move forward with greater clarity, purpose, and resilience.
Begin your Athara experience
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1. Choose your retreat
Select the retreat that fits where you are now.
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2. Book a conversation
A quick call helps us understand what you are seeking and recommend the best fit.
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3. Join us on your next chapter
Experience meaningful personal growth in extraordinary landscapes.
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 science and 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.
-participate in experiential exercises chosen in real time based on the needs of the group.
-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 rest, reflection, 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, burnout, 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, direction, identity clarity, and deeper self trust
craving experiences that combine guided 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 nourishing meals, 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, centering, and adventurous experience held in nature, supported by psychological science and insight with 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 retreats follow 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.
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We offer integrated support, including:
Pre-retreat virtual orientation
Optional follow-up group and/or individual coaching
A WhatsApp group for post-retreat community
Banner image by LXS Photograph-
All booking journeys begin with a call with Seoka, either by filling out our contact form or by booking time on her calendar. If it seems that this retreat aligns well with your interests and goals, we’ll officially confirm your participation and send you a payment link.
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We partner with cozy, local guesthouses and retreat centers that provide comfort, privacy, and local 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.
At retreat centers, single room supplements are available for an additional fee. Solo travelers wishing to be partnered in a double room will be paired with another participant 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.
