Email: contact@souliology.com
THE SPIRITUAL ENERGETIC LENS OF IFS WITH KAY GARDNER
MARCH 1 - 6, 2026 - PORTUGAL
A little about Kay....
Kay Gardner is a senior Lead Trainer for Internal Family Systems (IFS). She is a therapist who has been in private practice for 40 years in Chicago. Kay is co-founder of the Women's Circle, a woman’s program in Chicago and also has led various workshops around the country for men and women including Persephone's Journey, Men and Their Mothers, Women and their fathers, Legacy burdens, and Sacred Theatre for couples.
She has been involved with IFS since the beginning. She was a therapist and teacher of Hakomi Body Centered Psychotherapy and helped to integrate the body into the IFS model 25 years ago. She brings a body centered and spiritual approach to her work and has been a student of yoga and meditation for 40 years.
This retreat is limited to 30 participants. We require a minimum of 24 participats for this retreat to proceed so please do not make travel arrangements until you have been formally advised in writing that the retreat is proceeding. If we do not get the required numbers for the retreat to proceed, we will refund all fees paid to Souliology towards the retreat cost.
25 IFS-CE credits are available for this Retreat which can be used towards IFS Certification or Recertification.
What is this retreat about?
This 6-Day Residential Retreat will help you expand your experience and understanding of parts work to include a rich and deep resonance with energy and spirituality. Kay has taken the things that have enriched, inspired and enlivened her along this path and included them in this retreat.
All the systems we will explore (the chakras, the enneagram, the dakinis, the sacred marriage, the marriage within, shadow work, the survival strategies etc ) are there to help to wake us up, to not only who we are, but how our patterns run energetically.
We will explore how our Self energy and our parts are energetic systems, how spiritual approaches can create more Self energy, and how we can use intention and the IFS model to create more impactful healing in our own and in our clients’ systems.
Participants will go home with a deeply resourced way to approach their lives and their practices.
Recommended Reading:
Kay's upcoming book, titled “The Spiritual and Energetic Lens of IFS” will be released later this year.
Reading the book prior to the retreat will support getting the most out of your experience but it is not essential and there is no obligation to do so.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDED READING RESOURCES
The Five Personality Patterns by Steven Kessler
Feeding your Demons by Isutrim Allione
The Five Wisdom Bodies by Irini Rockwell
Deep Liberation by Langston Kahn
What to expect from this retreat:
This retreat is a highly experiential retreat where Kay will use guided meditations to show you how to bring in your guides, introduce a few key shamanic techniques, discuss how to work with ancestors, do powerful sculpts, and have opportunities for authentic movement.
By exploring deeply our energy and how our patterns run in these systems, we can begin to break the energetic patterns that bind us, allowing us to know and come home to ourselves again and again.
During this experiential retreat participants will:
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Have an opportunity to work in an intimate setting with a group and one on one to explore energy work.
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Learn about morphic fields as they relate to you and your energetic patterns.
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Witness a live sculpt by Kay.
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Explore and discover your own energetic patterns.
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Have a group experience of working with your energetic patterns.
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Have an opportunity to work with your own spirituality.
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Have an experience of working with the energy in your body.
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Learn how to energetically fill the vacuum left after an unburdening.
Please be advised that this is not a formal training and is not intended as a training on how to guide this work for other people. This is strictly a retreat for your personal growth and well-being.
The retreat is limited to 30 participants and a solid understanding of IFS, gained through training, reading or your own IFS therapy is a pre-requisite for being accepted onto this retreat.
The Retreat Location
The Retreat will take place in Sesimbra, Portugal.
Sesimbra, a hidden gem just a stone's throw from Lisbon! This charming town, beloved by locals, offers an authentic slice of Portuguese life, far from the hustle of mass tourism.
Sesimbra is beautifully situated next to Arrábida National Park, where you'll find stunning hills covered in Mediterranean vegetation, dramatic cliffs, and untouched beaches. From here, you can easily reach Capo Espichel, known for its famous sanctuary where dinosaur footprints were discovered.
The town offers a variety of activities, including excursions, scenic walks, and water sports. The sandy bay is flanked by high cliffs to the west and a fishing port to the east, with the municipal beach charmingly split in two by a historic fort. Nearby, the pristine beaches of Arrábida Natural Park, such as the famous Praia do Figueirinha, entice visitors with their calm, crystal-clear waters and stunning scenery.
For breathtaking panoramic views, head to "The Castle," perched on a 200-meter cliff. Built by the Moors and later contested in the 12th century by Alfonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, and Dom Sancho I, this historic site offers a glimpse into the region's rich past. The castle's main attraction is the Igreja Santa Maria do Castelo, a small white church beautifully decorated with traditional blue and white azulejos.
If you love the great outdoors, Arrábida National Park is a must-visit. This protected mountain area, stretching behind the town, is one of Portugal's most picturesque green spaces. With numerous hiking paths suitable for both trekking and mountain biking, it's a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
There is plenty to do on your afternoon off, whether you're exploring historic sites, enjoying outdoor adventures, or simply relaxing by the sea, Sesimbra offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural richness in an enchanting corner of Portugal!
Here is a link to help you explore more about the locality:
Retreat particulars
The retreat will take place over 6 days in Portugal from March 1st - 6th, 2026.
We will gather for dinner and an opening circle on Sunday night, March 1st and we will conclude at 12pm followed by lunch on Friday, March 6th.
RETREAT COST: €2,500 per solo attendee.
The retreat cost includes the retreat itself with Kay Gardner, 5 nights private ensuite accommodation in a stunning seaside boutique hotel in Portugal and 3 delicious meals a day during the retreat schedule to include vegetarian options. Each full day of the retreat locally sourced foods will be available for Breakfast, lunch and a delicious evening meal. There will also be tea/coffee breaks with refreshments mid morning and mid afternoon during the scheduled retreat hours. Please note that we will not be offering dinner on Wednesday night March 4th as that is our half day off and therefore, you are free to dine elsewhere.
An application form will be available to you for completion once you register your interest.
This retreat is limited to 30 participants. 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 €500 non-refundable and non-transferable deposit to reserve your place on this retreat. We require a minimum of 24 applicants for this retreat to proceed so please do not make travel arrangements until you have been formally advised in writing that the retreat is proceeding. If we do not get the required numbers for the retreat to proceed, we will refund all fees paid to Souliology towards the retreat cost only. Thank you.
25 IFS-CE credits are available for this Retreat which can be used towards IFS Certification or Recertification.
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.
Retreat Schedule
5-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 1st – Friday March 6th, 2026
Sunday
Monday, Tuesday &
Thursday
Wednesday
6.30pm
7.30pm - 9pm
8am – 9am
9am – 12pm
12.30pm
3pm – 6pm
7pm
8am – 9am
9am – 1pm
1pm
Dinner
Opening Circle
Breakfast
Morning Session
Lunch
Afternoon Session
Dinner
Breakfast
Morning Session
Lunch
Rest of the day off to rest, relax, write, explore Sesimbra or go to Lisbon. There will be no dinner this night so you are free to dine elsewhere at your leisure.
Friday
8am – 9am
9am – 12pm
12.30pm
Breakfast
Morning Session and Retreat Close
Lunch and Goodbyes
Please note we will serve teas/coffees and refreshments during our morning and afternoon breaks which will usually be at 10.30am and
4.30pm daily except on Wednesday and Friday afternoon. We will also not be serving dinner on Wednesday night to allow you time and space to enjoy your half day off and dine elsewhere.
Your Investment:
Total Retreat Cost: - €2,500 per participant (based on single room occupancy)
The retreat cost includes the 6-day retreat itself with Kay Gardner, 5 nights private ensuite accommodation in a beautiful beachfront hotel and 3 delicious meals a day to include a full breakfast, lunch and a delicious evening meal throughout the retreat schedule. The will be no dinner provided on Wednesday night to allow participants explore and dine elsewhere. Our retreat location can also cater for a variety of dietary requirements such as vegetarian, gluten free and lactose intolerant. 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 €2,500 (EURO) or you can opt for our convenient payment plan. The payment plan breaks down the retreat cost into 3 convenient payments as follows:
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Payment 1: €500 (Euro) non-refundable and non-transferable deposit – (Due on acceptance onto the retreat).
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Payment 2: €1,000 (Euro) per person due by the 1st September, 2025. (This amount will be refundable until 1st December, 2025 should you decide to cancel.
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Payment 3: The remaining balance, depending on your room occupancy type must be paid by the 1st December 2025.
Please note: There is no refund of fees over and above your non-refundable deposit for withdrawal for any reason after 1st December, 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 and share accommodation, we offer a reduced fee for both attendees. The total cost for two people to attend the full retreat and share accommodation at the hotel is €4,500.
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 charge of €900 for your companion. Please ensure to indicate your preference during the registration process.
Please note:
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Any companion accompanying you must be an adult over 18 years of age.
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Children are not allowed to join you in shared accommodation during the retreat.
Possible additional charges -:
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An additional €100 (Euro) per person late fee for payments received after 1st September and 1st of December, 2025.
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An additional €50 (Euro) administrative fee for room or occupancy category changes.
25 IFS-CE credits are available for this Retreat which can be used towards IFS Certification or Recertification.
