IFS AND EATING – A 6 DAY INTENSIVE RETREAT | Souliology | Retreats | IFS therapy

IFS AND EATING – A 6 DAY INTENSIVE RETREAT

What to expect from an IFS and Food 6-Day Intensive Retreat

Program Description:

The messages we absorb from the dominant culture as well as from family, friends, and others, in addition to other stressful or traumatic experiences and traumas, motivate parts of us to focus on food and the body to alleviate the shame, worthlessness, and anxiety other parts of us hold. Since these toxic messages are pervasive, we often don’t notice or question them. We continue to engage in diets and wellness plans that keep us stuck and also perpetuate these corrosive practices at the cultural level.

In this six-day retreat, you‘ll explore the different beliefs, emotions, and energies parts of you carry regarding food and your body. Through a combination of large group discussions, small group experiential exercises, and live demonstrations, you’ll get to know and heal the parts of yourself who carry burdens and are stuck in painful cycles of dieting or disconnecting from the body.

Participants will be expected to have some familiarity with the basic concepts of the IFS model. Preference will be given to applicants who have completed a Level 1 training.

Learning objectives:

Describe the three sources of burdens related to food and the body
List three cultural legacy burdens that impact how you relate to food and the body
List two common fears protectors hold about shifting out of their roles of focusing on or disconnecting from food and the body
Describe how IFS is used to address polarized parts engaged in disordered eating and eating disorders
List two ways to disrupt bias related to food and the body

The facilitators are in the process of applying for up to 30 IFSI CE Credits for this program with can be used for IFS Certification or Recertification. They are also in the process of applying for 30 APA CE credits. If awarded and you wish to attain 30 APA CE credits, then an additional fee will be required.

A little about Jeanne Catanzaro ….

Jeanne Catanzaro, PhD., Licensed Clinical Psychologist, Certified IFS Therapist & Approved Clinical Consultant

Jeanne Catanzaro, PhD, is a clinical psychologist who trained in psychodynamic psychotherapy, Somatic Experiencing, and EMDR before discovering the Internal Family Systems (IFS) model.

She has specialized in the treatment of eating disorders, disordered eating, and trauma for over twenty-five years. Her book, Unburdened Eating, focuses on helping people heal their relationships with food and their bodies using an IFS approach.

A little about Marcella Cox….

Marcella Cox, LMFT, Certified IFS Therapist, Approved IFS Clinical Consultant & Certified Eating Disorder Specialist - Supervisor (CEDS-C)

Marcella Cox, LMFT, is a Certified IFS Therapist specializing in treating eating disorders, disordered eating, body shame, and trauma. Marcella recently contributed the chapter on IFS and Disordered Eating in Altogether Us: Integrating the IFS Model with Key Modalities, Communities, and Trends (Pivotal Press, 2023). She is also on the staff of Susan McConnell, developer of Somatic IFS, an approach that blends the IFS model of therapy with embodiment practices. As an Approved IFS Clinical Consultant, Marcella provides professional consultation and supervision. She also leads workshops, trainings and retreats. Her certifications as a Body Trust Provider, Daring Way Facilitator and Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher also inform her professional work.

Marcella is the founder of Kindful Body, a collaboration of experienced eating disorder professionals providing online therapy and nutrition counseling throughout California. She also co-founded the IFS Telehealth Collective with lead IFS trainers, Mariel Pastor, LMFT and Paul Ginter, Ed.D. The IFS Telehealth Collective is a multi-state mental health group practice dedicated to providing authentic, high-quality IFS Therapy online throughout California, New York, Massachusetts, Florida, Oregon and Michigan. To learn more, visit www.kindfulbody.com or www.ifstherapyonline.com.

A little about Theresa Chesnut….

Theresa Chesnut, LCSW, Certified Eating Disorder Specialist (CEDS-S), IFS Level 1 Trained, Founder of The Chesnut Group

Theresa is a passionate and dedicated therapist with over 30 years experience with clients with eating disorders and trauma. She maintains a private practice in Northern California and demonstrates her leadership and entrepreneurial skills as the founder/owner of The Chesnut Group, which has locations in California and Indiana.

Theresa, a Level One Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist trained by Dr. Richard Schwartz in 2002, offers consultation and supervision to other therapists. Her unique perspective, deeply informed by her own lived experience of having and recovering from an eating disorder, fuels her empathetic and effective approach to treatment and healing from eating disorders.

In addition to her private and group practices, Theresa partners with Holly's House, a Child Advocacy Center in Evansville, IN, where she oversees and supervises therapists working with children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. Her team is trained in CF-TSI (Child and Family Traumatic Stress Interventions) and TF-CBT to support these clients.

Before establishing her private practice, Theresa was the Clinical Director at The Healthy Teen Project, an adolescent eating disorder-specific outpatient clinic. She also spent 13 years at Castlewood Treatment Center, where she held various roles, including Program Director, individual and group Therapist, and MSW Intern Supervisor. At Castlewood, she played a key role in starting new programs, training staff, overseeing operations and expanding existing practices into new geographic locations.

Theresa lectures locally and nationally on therapeutic interventions targeting the entire eating disorder recovery process. She hosts the annual Tri-State Eating Disorder Conference in Evansville, IN, and has lectured on college campuses to students and allied professionals, covering symptom identification and eating disorder prevention. She is also trained in Family-Based Therapy (FBT), Emotionally Focused Family Therapy (EFFT).

Her professional outreach has included training elite athletes, coaches, and trainers on the signs and symptoms of disordered eating and collaborating with high schools and universities in these areas. Theresa holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Kansas and has served as a staff member of the Menninger Clinic. She has also held leadership roles for the Binge Eating Disorder Association (BEDA), including Secretary, Vice-Chair, and Chair, where she was a board member from 2009-2015.

To learn more, visit - https://thechesnutgroup.com/

The Retreat Location

The Retreat will take place at the Guesthouse, in Chester, Connecticut.

The Guest House was built as a country inn and offers beautiful and comfortable ensuite accommodations while maintaining a feeling of serenity throughout.

Our Retreat Participants enjoy the convenience of meeting rooms, dining halls and guest rooms located under one roof, while enjoying the comfort and privacy of individual spacious guest rooms, each with their own full bathroom.

Every guest room is decorated with elegant and functional furnishings, and no two rooms are exactly alike. High-speed WiFi and air conditioning are available in all guest rooms and throughout the building.

The Guest House is a beautifully renovated country inn that combines functionality with comfort. It has many features that you can enjoy throughout the retreat week such as:

Facility-Wide High Speed WiFi
Private baths in each of Guest Rooms
Fully air conditioned and heated guest rooms, with most using environmentally friendly, individually controlled HVAC units
A fitness center featuring aerobic exercise equipment, free and fixed weights, a ping pong table, and a sauna.
The Guest Amenities Closet has all the little things you might miss from home: Irons & Ironing Boards, Fans, Bath Mats & Extra Towels, etc
Bottomless Coffee & Tea served daily in their Dining Room.
Three healthy, expertly prepared meals per day with most menus adapted to many common allergies such as gluten & lactose intolerance.
Wooded walking trails on property, with many hiking trails very close by.
Two large open fields, perfect for yoga or yard games – Weather permitting.
Full-size tennis court
A meditation Labyrinth.
A lending library
A Gift Shop & Necessities Store

Retreat Particulars

Applications are currently open for this retreat in Chester, Connecticut, USA from 9th -14th , March 2025

Please be advised this is a highly experiential retreat for your personal growth and professional development. It is not a formal training, and participants should be prepared to explore their own parts related to food and their body.

The retreat will take place over 6 days starting on Sunday night, March 9th and concluding on Friday, March 14th, 2025 after lunch.

The retreat cost includes retreat guidance by Jeanne Catanzaro, Marcella Cox and Theresa Chesnut, 5 nights private ensuite accommodation and 3 delicious meals a day to include breakfast, lunch and a delicious evening meal.

Chester is a beautiful town located only 5 miles from the retreat centre and Long Island Sound is only 12 miles away for those that wish to visit the beach. There will also be some local hiking tours available at an additional cost.

This retreat is limited to 36 participants and all participants must be have an in-depth knowledge of IFS. Preference on the retreat will be given to IFS Level 1 trained graduates. Once you register your interest, you will be seamlessly directed to a full registration form for completion. Once you complete a registration form and it is formally approved, we will send you an acceptance email offering you a place on this retreat. After your have been accepted onto this retreat, your place on the retreat will only be secured once a $1000 non-refundable deposit is received. Please do not make travel arrangements until your registration has been fully accepted by Souliology and we formally confirm in writing that the retreat is proceeding. Should we not reach the required numbers for the retreat to proceed, we will refund your non-refundable deposit and any other fees you have paid towards the retreat tuition cost only.

Any travel costs to the retreat location in Chester, Connecticut, USA is the sole responsibility of the participant.

IMPORTANT: Please read our FAQS page on this website for further guidelines and information on Covid, the arrangements we have in place in the unlikely event the retreat is cancelled due to Covid or in the unlikely event the retreat leader is not in a position to attend. The FAQS page also provides further general information which you may find useful when planning your trip. If after reading the FAQS page you have any further information, please feel free to email us at contact@souliology.com.

How to get there…..and more!

Please download the attached information document which includes details about-

How to get there
The Retreat location
Interesting place to visit while you are there
The weather
What to bring
OUR COVID-19 Policy

Download

Retreat Schedule:

6-Day Retreat Schedule – This is a broad outline of what the schedule for the week will look like but please note it is subject to change at the retreat leaders discretion.

Sunday March 9th – Friday March 17th, 2025

Please note: Hotel Check-In is strictly from 4pm on Sunday March 9th and check out is strictly by 11am on March 17th. You can store your luggage at reception before check in on Sunday if required and after check out on Friday until the retreat closes.

Sunday Night

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday &

Thursday

Friday

6pm – 7.30pm

7.30pm – 9.30pm

8am – 9am

9am – 12pm

12.30pm

3pm – 6pm

6.30pm

8am – 9am

9am – 1pm

1pm

Meet for Dinner

Open Circle

Breakfast

Morning Session

Lunch

Afternoon Session

Dinner

Breakfast

Morning Session

Lunch and goodbyes

Please note there will be bottomless teas/coffees available throughout the retreat period.

Your Investment:

Total Retreat Cost: - $3,000 per participant

The retreat cost includes the 6-day retreat itself with Jeanne, Marcella and Theresa, 5-nights private ensuite accommodation in this beautiful retreat location in Chester and 3 delicious meals a day to include a breakfast, lunch and a delicious evening meal throughout the retreat schedule. Our retreat location can also cater for a variety of dietary requirements such as vegetarian, gluten free and lactose intolerance. You can indicate your dietary requirements and preferences on the registration form.

Retreat Payment Schedule:

We are delighted to offer flexibility with our payment options. You have two choices: you can make full payment now of $3000(USD) or you can opt for our convenient payment plan. The payment plan breaks down the retreat cost into 3 convenient payments as follows:

NON-REFUNDABLE DEPOSIT: - $1,000 (USD) per person - Payable upon acceptance onto the retreat.
SECOND PAYMENT INSTALMENT:- On October 11th, 2024 an additional $1,000 (USD) per person is due. This amount will be refundable until the 13th December, 2024 should you decide to cancel.
FINAL PAYMENT INSTALMENT: - On 13th December, 2024 the remaining balance of $1,000 (USD) is due.
PLEASE NOTE: There is no refund of any fees paid for withdrawal for any reason after 13th December, 2024.

Possible additional charges -:

An additional $100 (USD) per person late fee for payments received after October 11th and December 13th, 2024.

Cost Reduction/Scholarship Places:

There are limited cost reduction/scholarship places available on this retreat.. Scholarshiop places are offered at a discounted rate of $2,600. To apply for a cost reduction/scholarship place, please email a relatively short reply (1-3 short paragraphs maximum) to the questions below. Please send your response to contact@souliology.com.

1) Please share briefly your motivation to attend this retreat and what you hope to gain from it.

2) Please share briefly why you are seeking a scholarship/cost reduction place on this retreat

Although we will do our best to accommodate all requests, this may not be possible as we have a limited number of these places available.

If you are offered a scholarship place, you can also avail of the flexible payment terms outlined above.

PLEASE NOTE: This retreat is expected to sell out. Applications will be reviewed and accepted in the order in which they are received. If the facilitators have questions about your application, they may reach out to you directly to make sure this retreat is appropriate for you. It may take up to 4 weeks to receive notification about the status of your application. If you have not received any communication about the status of your application after 4 weeks from submitting your registration form, please feel free to email us at: registration@souliology.com. Thank you.