STEP 1 - SOMATIC IFS RETREAT IN COSTA RICA | Souliology | Retreats | IFS therapy

STEP 1 - SOMATIC IFS RETREAT WITH SUSAN MCCONNELL IN COSTA RICA
FEBRUARY 7 - 14, 2026

ABOUT RETREAT LEADER | RETREAT LOCATION | RETREAT PARTICULARS | RETREAT SCHEDULE | YOUR INVESTMENT | HOW TO GET THERE...

What to expect from a Somatic Internal Family Systems Retreat (SIFS)?

Susan McConnell’s amazing Somatic IFS retreat is a retreat not to be missed.

Somatic IFS is a branch of IFS that blends the principles of somatic therapy - like movement, touch, sensation and breathwork – with the traditional tools of IFS. Somatic IFS explores the embodiment of the internal family with the goal of restoring the client’s SELF to leadership and allowing parts that express through the body to come into relationship and alignment with the client’s SELF.

On this retreat, you will be invited to explore your internal system with the practices of Somatic IFS. Through guided exercises, journaling, live demonstrations and small group interactions you will listen to your parts through sensations, movement and touch. Your experience of the Embodied Self can transform your personal and professional life.

During the retreat you will experience for yourself the five practices of Somatic IFS -

1: Somatic Awareness

2: Conscious Breathing

3: Radical Resonance

4: Mindful Movement

5: Attuned Touch

Susan, through Somatic IFS, incorporates the five practices to help you heal parts's burdens in the body, using the IFS model.

The retreat is open to IFS graduates only.

PLEASE NOTE: This Step 1 Program is an experiential Retreat and NOT a formal training of the model nor is it an official or accredited training program of the IFS Institute or its model. Once you fully complete a Step 1 Retreat with Susan McConnell, you are eligible to take her Step 2 - 54Hr Online Training in Somatic IFS which instructs and supports you to apply Somatic IFS in your clinical practice.

30 IFS-CE credits are available for this Somatic IFS Retreat which can be used towards IFS certification or recertification.

A completion certificate will only be offered to participants who attend all 30 hours of this retreat. If, for any reason you cannot attend the full 30 hours, you will not be issued with a completion certificate. You will also require a completion certificate from a Step 1 Program to be eligible to attend a Step 2 54-hour Somatic IFS Training Program.

This retreat is limited to 32 participants.

A Little more about Susan....

Susan McConnell, MAPD, CHT, is a senior trainer for the IFS Institute and has taught Internal Family Systems in the US and internationally since 1997. Somatic IFS is the culmination of her experience and teaching of various bodywork, movement, spiritual, and psychotherapeutic modalities that facilitate the embodiment of the internal family—the subpersonalities as well as the essential core Self—to bring compassionate witnessing to the implicit body stories of our individual hurts and societal burdens.

Somatic IFS is a branch of the Internal Family Systems (IFS) Model. IFS is a psychotherapeutic model that normalizes multiplicity of the mind and views each person as having a Self that the therapist helps to uncover so that it can fully lead the system of parts, or subpersonalities.

IFS holds that all parts, regardless of how they currently manifest, hold positive intent and can be helped to contribute their wisdom and gifts to the person’s system. Somatic IFS explores the embodiment of the internal family with the goal of restoring the client’s Self to leadership and allowing parts that express through the body to come into relationship and alignment with the client’s Self.

The Retreat Location

Escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and allow yourself to embark on a journey of self-discovery at Pura Vida Retreat & Spa.

Nestled amidst breathtaking landscapes, the retreat resort offers a peaceful sanctuary for those seeking solace and a chance to reconnect with their inner selves. Pura Vida Retreat & Spa spans over 8 acres at 4,900 feet above sea level, surrounded by tranquil coffee plantations and offering stunning views of Costa Rica’s Central Valley.

There’s plenty to do on and around the grounds of the retreat centre. The spa is a haven of relaxation, set against a beautiful backdrop. Guests can unwind at the Pura Vida Jacuzzis and pools after a soothing massage, or enjoy a meal at the dining hall.

Weather: Pura Vida Retreat & Spa is tucked serenely in the clouds, nearly a mile above the city of San Jose. Pura Vida’s climate is spring-like year-round with warm days (70s-80s F) and mild nights (60s F). The sun rises at 5:30 and sets around 6 all year long. Costa Rica’s Green Season is full of splendor for those seeking peace and tranquility. Refreshing mountain temperatures, purifying and cleansing rains are an opportunity to enliven the senses as you enter the season of turning within.

Food: Delicious dishes are lovingly prepared from fresh local produce and regional purveyors. Served buffet-style in their inviting dining hall, all meals feature both North American and Costa Rican vegetarian, fish and chicken dishes to tempt your taste buds and nourish your body and soul. Complimentary coffee, tea, alkaline water and filtered water are available throughout the day. The wine and juice bar in the dining hall stocks sulfite-free, organic wines, Costa Rican and Central American beers, and bottled water for an additional fee. It is also the place for fresh smoothies, and custom-blended chai and turmeric elixirs.

What more can you ask for?

Retreat Particulars

Please be advised that this retreat is not a formal training and is not intended as a training on how to guide this work for others. This is strictly a retreat for your personal growth and well-being so you can personally experience Somatic IFS before you delve into the Step 2 training if it appeals to you.

The retreat takes place over 7 days starting at 7pm on the Saturday evening of February 7th, 2026 when we will meet for dinner, welcome everyone, make introductions and outline the program for the week. We will complete our week on Saturday morning February 14th, 2026 after breakfast, when you are free to depart after check out.

The cost of the retreat starts from $3,300 based on single room occupancy and room type chosen. Once your application to attend is accepted, we will introduce you to our reservation specialist, Shina, at Pura Vida Resort and Spa who will assist you with choosing your room type and taking you non-refundable deposit of $1,000 to secure you place on this retreat. Here is a link to the various room types for your review, so you can decide which room type appeals to you ahead of time https://puravidaspa.com/accommodations/

The retreat cost includes the retreat guidance with Susan McConnell and Staff, 7 nights accommodation and 3 delicious meals a day plus bottomless teas/coffees throughout the week. Any wine, beer, specialty coffees and smoothies are additional extras. Each day locally sourced foods will be available for breakfast, lunch and a delicious evening meal. All meals include gluten free and vegetarian options.

There is a day off on Wednesday, February 11th, 2026 to allow participants to process, rest and relax or enjoy the spa, which features some exceptional bodyworkers - feel free to check out the spa menu - https://puravidaspa.com/wellness-center/. All spa treatments are additional extras and can be charged to your room.

You are not required to stay at the retreat venue on the day off and there will be several off site excursions available to choose from should you decide to venture out and explore Costa Rica for the day. All exclusions offered are additional extras and can be charged to your room for payment on departure.

This retreat is limited to 32 participants. If you are interested in participating, please register your interest. You will then be seamlessly directed to a registration form for completion. Only applicants who complete a full registration form will be considered for this retreat. Once your registration is approved we will advise you formally and it is only at this point that we will request a $1000 non-refundable deposit to secure your place.

Any travel costs to the retreat location at Pura Vida Retreat and Spa is your sole responsibility, however, the venue offer a free shuttle bus service from and to San Jose International Airport to the retreat venue. Please find more details on how to book in the "How to get there and more" section below.

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 questions, please feel free to email us at contact@souliology.com.

Your Investment: -

Total Retreat Cost: - Starts from $3,300 per participant (based on single room occupancy) depending on the room type you choose.

The retreat cost includes the 7-day retreat itself with Susan McConnell, 7 nights private accommodation and 3 delicious meals a day to include a full 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 or you can opt for our convenient payment plan. The payment plan breaks down the retreat cost into 3 convenient payments as follows:

Payment 1: $1,000 (USD) non-refundable and non-transferable deposit – (Due on acceptance onto the retreat).
Payment 2: $1,000 (USD) per person due by Friday the 8th August, 2025. (This amount will be refundable until the 7th November 2025 should you decide to cancel.
Payment 3: The remaining balance depending on your room and occupancy type must be paid by the 7th November 2025.

Please note: There is no refund of fees over and above your non-refundable deposit for withdrawal for any reason after the 7th of November 2025. If you register for the retreat after the specified payment deadlines outlined above, the existing payment schedule will no longer apply. Your payment schedule will either be adjusted to align with the existing payment plan, provided the payment deadlines allow, or you will be required to pay for the retreat in full.

Partners/Companions: If you wish to attend the retreat with a companion who will also be attending the retreat and you wish to share accommodation, we offer a $300 reduction off your total cost for both your attendance. Please ensure to indicate your preference during the registration process.

Additionally, you are welcome to bring a companion who can stay at the hotel with you in shared accommodation, enjoy the set retreat meals but not attend the retreat itself. This option incurs a supplementary cost of $1,000 (USD). Please ensure to indicate your preference during the registration process.

Please note:

Any companion accompanying you must be an adult over 18 years of age.
Children are not allowed to join you in shared accommodation during the retreat.

Possible additional charges -:

An additional $100 (USD) per person late fee for payments received after the 8th of August, 2025 and the 7th of November, 2025.
An additional $50 (USD) administrative fee for room or occupancy category changes.

30 IFS-CE credits are available for this Somatic IFS Retreat which can be used towards IFS certification or recertification.

How to get there…..and more!

Please download the attached information document which includes details of -

Pura Vida - The Retreat Venue.
Getting to the Retreat Venue, including a link to book the free shuttle bus from/to San Jose International Airport.
Driving Directions
Entry and Departure requirements for Costa Rica
Vaccinations if required
Currency
The Weather
What to bring
OUR COVID-19 Policy...
and more!

Download

STEP 1 - SOMATIC IFS RETREAT WITH SUSAN MCCONNELL IN COSTA RICA FEBRUARY 7 - 14, 2026