Beyond the Basics Retreat:
Developing Expertise in the Treatment of Trauma
Do you want to make a more meaningful impact with your clients who struggle with trauma?
Do you want to grow in skills and confidence as a trauma therapist, and learn how to integrate holistic interventions into your sessions?
Are you tired of wasting time, energy, and money with online trainings?
Are you ready to nourish your own growth with the same dedication you give to your clients?
You're in the right place!
Come join Dr. Shanti M. Pepper,
PSYCHOLOGIST AND TRAUMA SPECIALIST, FOR A 3-DAY IN-PERSON RETREAT.
The Beyond the Basics Retreat is a unique and intimate opportunity to truly evolve as a trauma specialist, explore holistic approaches to healing, feel centered and confident as a provider, transform your clients' lives, and stay in love with your career.
This retreat is held at the Circle Yoga Shala, a wisdom school in Jasper, Arkansas that nurtures and supports learning, community, and connection with nature.
WHO IS THIS RETREAT FOR?
- Therapists in training: graduate students, psychology interns, and post-docs
- Early career therapists
- Seasoned therapists who want to build mastery in trauma treatment
Holistic Interventions
A unique feature of this workshop is the extensive hands-on learning!
Therapists often hear WHAT to do without understanding HOW to do it. This workshop offers HOURS of clinical coaching to train participants in both stabilizing clients and the practical steps to empower clients to become their own experts in self-regulation. Come prepared to develop mastery in Stage One trauma interventions.
Exclusive Feature!
The Beyond the Basics Retreat at the Shala is an exclusive chance to elevate your practice as a trauma specialist with an additional focus on nurturing YOU as a healer. Through soothing movement, nature immersion, self-regulation techniques, and emotional replenishment, this retreat offers holistic support for your professional and personal growth.
What You'll Learn
MODULE 1
Foundations of PTSD & Trauma
- History of PTSD
- Treatments for trauma: thoroughly understand the nuances of EMDR, CPT, PE, and more
- Neurobiology of trauma, the nervous system, and Polyvagal Theory
MODULE 2
Clinical Assessment & Stages of Treatment
- Accurately assess PTSD and DID
- Learn a clinical decision-making model to safely assess when clients are ready for deeper work
MODULE 3
Suicide Assessment and Prevention
- Review of research regarding risk factors, barriers, etc.
- Assess, intervene and monitor for suicide
- Tools and resources
MODULE 4
Stabilization Skills, Resourcing, and Returning to Self
- Mindfulness
- Breath practice
- Gentle movement
- IFS and Polyvagal exercises
MODULE 5
Healing the Healer
- Vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue and the ethics of burnout
- In-class gentle restorative yoga, which you can do, personally, in small segments at work. Bring your own yoga mat and blocks, if you have them
BONUS SECTIONS
Special Considerations
- Veterans
- Sexual assault survivors
- Death and dying:
- Develop self-awareness around and evaluate your own personal relationship with
grief, death, and dying - Identify ways to support a terminally ill client or patient
- Identify ways to support caregivers of the terminally ill or dying
- Develop self-awareness around and evaluate your own personal relationship with
What's Included
Experience up to 15 hours of transformative instruction, led by Dr. Shanti Pepper, a psychologist, yoga teacher, and trauma specialist with over 20 years of experience. We are also thrilled to welcome the esteemed Mary Horne, LCSW, RYT-500, and Maggie Compernolle, RN, RYT-500, who will be joining us for guest lectures, soothing movement practices for therapists, and insightful polyvagal integration techniques.
The Shala is a private sustainable farm in the Ozark mountains. They provide beautiful and rustic lodging designed to support learning, community, and connection with nature. Private and shared accommodations are available and include heat, A/C, and access to shared loos and shower spaces. All genders share all bathrooms. Click here to read more.
Meals are ayurvedically inspired by the season and support digestion and deep nourishment. Participants will be nurtured with six beautifully curated meals + a hearty nosh upon Friday’s arrival. The Shala has experienced cooks that can accommodate food allergies. Please email us directly with any specific food allergies ([email protected]).
Depending on your energy levels, weather, and personal interest, you’ll have time to take naps, connect with nature on a walk, connect with others around a firepit, or explore a beautiful swimming hole for an invigorating cold plunge.
Guest Speakers
Maggie Compernolle, RN, RYT-500
Maggie is a Registered Nurse (BSN, RN, 500-RYT) with a background in oncology nursing, palliative care, hospice, mindfulness research, yoga instruction, and a curiosity in contemplative practices.
She currently holds a clinical role in palliative care and serves in the end-of-life space as an educator, coach, and doula, promoting curiosity, self-awareness, and compassion. A life-long learner, she is endlessly fascinated by this world and what it means to be human.
Learn more about Maggie here.
Mary Horne, LCSW, RYT-500
Mary Horne, LCSW is a licensed psychotherapist with 18 years of experience exclusively helping people who have experienced trauma. In 2020, she opened her private practice, TRIBE Psychotherapy. Prior to that, she spent 10 years at VA serving veterans diagnosed with PTSD where she and Dr. Pepper created a yoga program as well as leading various psychotherapy groups together.
Mary is certified in several evidence-based therapies for trauma and is drawn to therapies that blend mind and body. In her current practice, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), and Parts Work are her primary modalities. She is also trained in MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction) and is a yoga teacher at the 500-hour level.
Learn more about Mary here.
RETREAT LOGISTICS
Beyond the Basics Retreat:
Developing Expertise in the Treatment of Trauma
JASPER, ARKANSAS
Friday, March 28 to Sunday, March 30, 2025
RETREAT SCHEDULE
Friday, March 28: Arrive at the Shala by 12:30pm/1:00pm for hearty nosh and settling in.
Sunday, March 30: Pack up and depart by 2:00pm.
Current early bird pricing is valid until February 28, 2025.
Private Room
$1500
Only 3 spots available!
QUEEN BED IN PRIVATE SPACE
◦ 15 hours of advanced instruction
◦ 6 beautifully curated meals + a hearty nosh upon arrival
◦ Retreat facilitation and facilities
◦ Personal + professional nourishment
Shared Room
$1425
Only 10 spots available!
SINGLE BED IN SHARED SPACE
◦ 15 hours of advanced instruction
◦ 6 beautifully curated meals + a hearty nosh upon arrival
◦ Retreat facilitation and facilities
◦ Personal + professional nourishment
A private room is NOT guaranteed because it is a first come, first served. Your pricing will be adjusted to the Shared Room rate, if a private space is not available.
Camping and RV sites are also available. Please email [email protected] for more info.
About Circle Yoga Shala
A wisdom school for yoga, ayurveda, and advanced movement located in the foothills of Arkansas’ Ozark Mountains.
What is the retreat schedule?
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Camping and RV accomodations
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Will I have cell signal and Wi-Fi?
What if I have physical limitations, chronic pain, etc?
What if I have food allergies?
Is the Shala wheelchair accessible?
Are pets allowed?
When does early bird pricing end?
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