IFS for Health and Wellbeing
Thursday, December 3 through Sunday, December 6, 2026
Land of Medicine Buddha, 5800 Prescott Rd, Soquel, CA
Cost dependent on choice of accommodations. See rates below.
Make your $100 deposit today!
About Nancy Sowell, LICSW
Nancy is an Internal Family Systems (IFS) Senior Trainer for the IFS Institute, and a Teaching Associate of Harvard Medical School where she teaches IFS to multidisciplinary staff and students. She specializes in the use of psychotherapy to treat physical health problems affected by toxic stress, unmet needs, shame, and trauma. She regularly witnesses the healing power of compassionate relationships – with the body, oneself and other people that support well-being and the open-hearted risk of living courageously.
Description:
This retreat is for those affected by chronic illness or who work with clients affected by chronic illness. We will create a safe, healing container together using this IFS-based approach to explore the social and physical environments that have affected "parts" of our personality, our body and health. Nancy will guide participants in identifying parts related to physical illness and/or pain that need to connect with the body, Self and sense of well-being. This retreat combines individual, small group and community experiences. Through didactic talks, meditations, writing, sharing, and experiential exercises, Nancy will explore the interconnection between life experience, parts of the internal social system, and physical health. Together we will emphasize the life-affirming Self-energy residing in each participant to promote well-being through a relational healing process with one's Self and the Self-energy of the group.
Make your $100 deposit today!
SCHEDULE:
Thursday:
4:00 pm: Check-in to the Retreat Center
6:00 pm: Dinner
6:30 – 8:30 pm: Welcome, Orientation, Introductions, Connection
Friday & Saturday:
8:00 am: Breakfast
9:30 am – 12:00 pm: Morning meditation, talk, experiential, large &/or small groups
12:30: Break for lunch & Free time
4:00 – 5:30 pm: Talk, experiential, large &/or small groups, closing
6:00 pm: Dinner
7:30pm Evening Movement Activity
Sunday:
8:00 am: Breakfast
9:30 am – 12:30pm: Morning meditation, talk, large group experience, closing & good-byes
Accommodations
Land of Medicine Buddha is a 108-acre sanctuary, nestled amidst the redwoods and close to the ocean. Visitors are welcome to enjoy the Dharma Wonderland with many precious holy objects, browse the bookstore, or simply enjoy the peace and tranquility of the holy land. For first-time visitors, Land of Medicine Buddha welcomes you to pop into the Reception Office to say hello! You can enquire about the sacred sites of interest to visit.
Private Single Room, Queen Bed $1,739
Shared Double Room, Twin Bed $1,627
Shared Triple (or more) Room, Twin Bed $1,519
Private Single Yurt, Queen Bed $1,509
Commuter Rate $1,209
Rates are for all four days and include the retreat fee, all meals, as well as use of facilities (pool, sauna, hiking trails).
Final Payment due by November 3, 2026. Payment plans available. Email sioux@mcaft.com for more information.
Make your $100 deposit today!
Healthy Meals & Dining
Land of Medicine Buddha offers a vegetarian breakfast, lunch, and dinner for retreats. The dining hall is accessible 24/7 and is equipped with a full size fridge for retreatants to use. A coffee and tea bar, with all the fixings, is also available in the dining hall.
Email sioux@mcaft.com for more information.
Make your $100 deposit today!
Retreat Disclaimer:
Please note that this is not a formal training course, and is not intended as a didactic training on how to apply this information in your work with other people. Retreats are designed to enhance your life, support your personal growth and promote well-being. That being said, engaging in experiential activities and getting more familiar with your own internal system is a wonderful way to learn the IFS model and continue to deepen your proficiency with it professionally.
We will be applying for IFS-I CEs. Since Nancy Sowell is a Senior Trainer at the IFS Institute, we are expecting the IFS-I to approve our request. We will update this space as soon as we have confirmation.
Cancellation Policy:
Any and all deposits and/or payments for the workshop portion of our retreats / courses are non-refundable and non-transferable. Lodging payments are refundable according to the guidelines of each particular retreat center. Please note that there will be no refunds for any reason for the workshop portion, including illness. Thank you for your understanding.