A Soulful Leadership Retreat for Therapists and Practice Owners
January 31 - February 5, 2027
Verdesana by Imiloa Palo Verde, Costa Rica
Coming Home to Congruence
If you're a therapist or practice owner who has spent years holding everything together for everyone else and quietly lost track of yourself underneath it, this is your invitation to come back. Join us in Costa Rica for five nights and six nourishing days of renewal, reflection, and genuine connection. Return home calmer, clearer, and more joyfully yourself so you can lead with greater clarity and create a more sustainable life and practice.
Imagine…
Stepping out of the shuttle at Verdesana, the warm air, birdsong, open sky, and winding garden paths immediately invite you into a different rhythm - one that feels spacious, nourishing, and surprisingly unfamiliar…
For the first time in a long time, there is nowhere you need to be and nothing you need to prove.
You wake up to the sound of morning stillness and fresh Costa Rican coffee waiting at your doorstep. As the days unfold, you begin to slow down. Morning stillness gives way to meaningful conversations, moments of reflection, nourishing meals, laughter, and experiences that gently invite you back into relationship with yourself. In the company of a small circle of like-minded therapists, practice owners, and helping professionals, you are seen, supported, and renewed.
Almost without noticing, something begins to shift. Held by the quiet rhythm of the days, the grounding presence of the land, and the depth of the conversations, the constant holding begins to soften. The weight you've been carrying begins to loosen. Your breath deepens. Your shoulders soften. You reconnect with the part of yourself that exists beneath the roles, responsibilities, and expectations you've carried for so long.
You return home calmer, clearer, and more grounded. More connected to what matters most. With renewed vitality, meaningful connections, and embodied practices that support you long after the retreat ends.
Lead from the Inside Out
As therapists and practice owners, we lead every day — in the room with our clients, in the ways we hold our teams, and in the ongoing work of guiding our own inner world so we can stay present, connected, and show up with integrity.
But when you spend your days attuning to everyone else’s needs, it’s easy to drift out of alignment with yourself.
Your vision gets buried under the pace of daily demands.
Your values get overshadowed by responsibility.
Your energy gets stretched thin by being the one who’s expected to hold everything together.
You want to feel aligned, grounded, and present — not just for others, but for yourself.
Are you being called to slow down and renew yourself?
Coming Home to Congruence is your invitation to pause, reconnect, and realign.
An eco-luxury retreat designed to help you remember who you are beneath all the doing… and return home living and leading from that place.
During your time at Verdesana, every detail is thoughtfully tended to so you can fully arrive.
Here, surrounded by Costa Rica's tropical cloud forest, you'll be supported by nature, meaningful connection, nourishing food and experiential learning that gently invites you back to yourself.
Because sometimes the greatest transformation doesn't come from doing more.
It comes from remembering who you’ve been all along.
This Retreat is for you if…
✓ You’re a therapist, supervisor, or practice owner who needs space to restore, reflect, and realign
✓ You want your professional leadership to feel aligned with your personal values
✓You’re curious about how your inner world shapes your professional relationships, boundaries, and business culture
✓You want deeper, more meaningful conversations with colleagues who “get it”
✓You’re craving nourishment, not another productivity workshop
✓You’re longing for a reset that honours both your humanity and your professional role
What you will experience…
A luxurious setting and space to realign your inner compass so you can lead in therapy, in business, and in life, from the truth of who you are.
Coming Home to Congruence Retreat in Costa Rica
Guided Teachings
Applying Satir’s Iceberg, survival patterns, and congruence to leadership, practice culture, and the inner life of the therapist
Experiential Practices
to slow down, reconnect, and embody insights rather than just think about them
Small-group Dialogue & Guided Inquiry
Integrating the self of the therapist with the self of the business
Intentional Rest, Nature Time, and Solitude
Because congruence begins with presence, not pressure
A Place that Supports
Your Journey
Rest, Reflection, and Renewal
For a retreat devoted to coming home to congruence, we couldn't imagine a more fitting place.
Nestled within Costa Rica's tropical cloud forest, Verdesana is more than a beautiful retreat centre. It naturally evokes the very qualities we'll be cultivating together - presence, reflection, meaningful connection, and deep restoration. It's a place where you can step out of the constant pace of doing and remember what it feels like to simply be.
You'll gather in inspiring spaces designed for both learning and renewal - from the open-air yoga shala beside the river to our experiential workshop space. Between sessions, wander forest trails, soak in the wood-fired hot pools, pause in the gardens, or simply sit quietly and listen to the sounds of nature.
At the end of each day, your eco-luxury cabin becomes a peaceful sanctuary - a place to exhale, sleep deeply, and wake to birdsong and fresh mountain air. Every element of Verdesana has been chosen to support the deeper intention of this retreat: helping you lay some of the weight down, reconnect with yourself, and return home feeling calmer, clearer, and more fully alive.
Your Stay at Verdesana
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Perched at the highest point of the property, the VIP Mountain Cabin offers a deeply private and elevated retreat experience. Surrounded by sweeping views of forest covered mountains, this spacious cabin invites rest, reflection, and uninterrupted presence.
$5997 USD (monthly payment plan available after initial $500 deposit).Designed for comfort and seclusion, the cabin features a king sized bed, a private deck for taking in the mountain air, and a fireplace that creates warmth and ease as the evenings settle in. A soaking tub with expansive views of the surrounding landscape offers a place to unwind fully, allowing nature to be part of the experience.
This cabin is ideal for guests seeking added privacy, quiet luxury, and a setting that supports deep rest and restoration.
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The one bedroom private cabins offer a peaceful and comfortable retreat for solo guests seeking privacy and restoration. Thoughtfully positioned throughout the property, each cabin is designed to support rest, reflection, and a sense of ease.
Two of the cabins are nestled close to the river, where the gentle sound of flowing water creates a naturally calming atmosphere. The third cabin offers a serene garden view with added seclusion, providing a quiet and private setting surrounded by lush greenery.
Each cabin features a queen sized bed, a private ensuite bathroom, and a furnished deck where guests can enjoy the forest or garden views and take in the rhythms of nature. These cabins are an ideal choice for those who value personal space while still feeling held within the retreat environment.
$5247 USD (month payment plan available after initial $500 deposit.) -
The two bedroom semi private cabins offer the most spacious accommodations on the property, thoughtfully designed for guests who value both personal space and shared connection. Each cabin includes two private bedrooms, each with a queen sized bed, allowing for rest and retreat while remaining part of a communal living experience.
The cabins feature a generous shared living room and a large furnished deck, creating space to relax, reflect, and connect in a comfortable, unhurried way. Surrounded by forest, garden, or mountain views, these cabins invite a sense of openness and grounding within the natural landscape. A shared bathroom serves both bedrooms with ease and comfort.
These cabins are ideal for two guests who want the privacy of their own bedroom alongside the ease and warmth of a shared living space.
$4750USD ( monthly payment plan available after initial $500 deposit) per person. -
The one bedroom shared cabins offer a spacious and thoughtfully designed setting for guests who wish to share space while maintaining comfort and ease. Each cabin features a single bedroom with two queen sized beds, making it an ideal option for friends or two guests who prefer their own bed within a shared room.
The cabin includes a shared ensuite bathroom and a furnished deck overlooking forest or garden views, providing a peaceful place to unwind and take in the surrounding landscape. With generous space and a calm, grounded atmosphere, these cabins support rest, connection, and a sense of being at home within nature.
These cabins are well suited for guests who value shared experience alongside comfort and simplicity.
$4250 USD (monthly payment plan available after initial $500 deposit) per person.
Nourishment for Body and Soul.
There is something deeply nourishing about being fed well in a beautiful place.
At Verdesana, every meal is an invitation to slow down and savour. Garden-to-table ingredients, vibrant tropical flavours, and creatively prepared vegetarian cuisine come together to nourish both body and spirit. Shared around the open-air table overlooking the mountains, each meal becomes another invitation to reconnect - with yourself, with others, and with the simple pleasure of being well cared for.
Vegetarian meals are included throughout your stay, with vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and other dietary needs happily accommodated.
Retreat Details
When? January 31 - February 5, 2027
Where? Verdesana by Imiloa in Costa Rica
What? 5-night/6-day immersive retreat including teaching, experiential learning, nourishing freshly prepared meals, staff available to care for you from dusk till dawn, reflective time, and restorative space
How much? Prices are dependent on the cabin of your choice (see the descriptions above). Includes transportation from SJO airport to Verdesana, Facilitation, Program Materials, All Meals and Accommodations.
Does not include round trip airfare, travel insurance, optional spa services or accommodations needed before or after the retreat.)
How many people? This retreat is intentionally limited for depth, safety, and connection
Meet Your Retreat Guides
This retreat is guided by Lisa Catallo and Jennifer Nagel, two experienced therapists and leaders who bring complementary strengths to the work of congruent leadership.
Together, they support therapists and practice owners who are ready to realign their inner truth with how they lead, work, and live.
Lisa brings clarity, structure, and sustainability to the practical realities of practice ownership and leadership, while Jennifer offers depth, embodiment, and a relational lens that supports meaningful, lasting change.
Their shared commitment is to create a space that is both deeply human and highly supportive. Where insight is grounded, nervous systems are cared for, and leaders leave feeling clearer, steadier, and more aligned.
“We believe that the most meaningful leadership begins with the relationship we have with ourselves. Coming Home to Congruence grew out of our shared passion for creating spaces where therapists and practice owners can step out of the roles they carry, reconnect with who they are, and return to their work with renewed clarity, vitality, and purpose.”
Jennifer Nagel
For more than twenty-five years, I've had the privilege of walking alongside people through some of the most difficult and meaningful moments of their lives. As a therapist, teacher, and clinical supervisor, I've spent much of my career helping others reconnect with themselves, navigate change, and discover the inner resources they didn't realize they already had.
What I've come to understand is that this isn't work we ever "arrive" at. It's a lifelong practice.
Several years ago, I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. At the time, I was carrying far more than I realized - supporting clients, teaching internationally, caring for my family, and trying to keep all the pieces of life moving. The diagnosis became a wake-up call that invited me to stop, listen more deeply, and honestly ask myself whether I was living in the same congruent way I was encouraging others to live.
That question continues to shape my life.
It has taught me that coming home to ourselves isn't something we do once. It's something we practice, over and over again. I've learned that slowing down isn't falling behind. That asking for support isn't weakness. And that some of the deepest transformation happens when we create enough space to hear the quiet wisdom that's been within us all along.
That's why this retreat means so much to me. It's an opportunity to create the kind of space that has been so important in my own life - a place where therapists and helping professionals can step out of the roles they carry every day, reconnect with themselves, and return home feeling more grounded, present, and alive.
It would be a privilege to welcome you to Costa Rica.
Lisa Catallo
For years, I built my practice the way I thought you were supposed to doing more, holding more, and always finding a way to keep everything moving. I didn't question it. That was just what leadership looked like.
What I didn't see was the cost. My energy was the first thing to go, then the relationships that mattered most to me, then my sense of who I actually was outside of my work. And underneath all of it, a quiet restlessness that kept me pushing harder as if the next thing I added would finally be the thing that made it feel stable. Eventually it caught up with me in ways I couldn't ignore: I wasn't running my business well anymore. I was just surviving it.
The shift happened, of all places, at a retreat in Costa Rica. I was there as a co-facilitator, and someone used the word burnout to describe what they were seeing in me. I hadn't let myself call it that. But hearing it named gave me permission to finally look at what I'd been carrying and to start asking what I might be able to set down.
That experience changed the way I lead my practice, and it's part of why Coming Home to Congruence exists. I know what it costs to run hard for too long without looking inward. I know what it feels like when the work you love starts to feel like a weight. And I know how much becomes possible when you finally give yourself the space to do something about it.
Today, I help therapists build practices that are both deeply human and sustainable where clear systems, healthy boundaries, and genuine self-awareness make the work better, not harder. It would mean a lot to be in Costa Rica with you.
What a Typical Day May Look Like
Each day unfolds as a gentle rhythm — beginning with inner attunement, moving into embodied exploration, allowing space for restoration, and closing with grounded integration.
7:00 am - Morning activity - optional yoga, meditation, movement
8:30 am - Breakfast
10:00 am - Morning Workshop - Inner Alignment & Embodied Process
Our workshop sessions are gentle, reflective, and experiential. Through guided conversations, quiet exercises, and meaningful connection, you will explore what congruence means in your life right now.
Together, we will create space to notice what feels aligned, what feels out of sync, and what is ready to shift.
This is not about fixing yourself. It is about remembering who you are, and coming home to that place within you.
12:30 pm - Lunch on site
1:30 pm - Each afternoon is intentionally spacious and restorative. Every day will offer something different, from spa time and hot pools, to a guided hike in nature, to structured reflection and journalling.
You will also have intentional alone time to think, breathe, and integrate what you are learning. This is not about filling every minute. It is about creating space for clarity, renewal, and thoughtful leadership.
4:30 pm - Afternoon Workshop - Integration & Congruent Leadership
Our afternoon sessions are grounded, practical, and integrative. Through guided discussion, structured exercises, and supportive dialogue, you will explore how congruence can be expressed in your business, leadership, and daily decisions.
Together, we will clarify what needs to be strengthened, simplified, or restructured so your outer life reflects your inner knowing.
This is not about pushing harder. It is about creating a way of working that feels honest, sustainable, and true to you.
6:30 pm - Dinner
8:00 pm - Evening activity - eg. bonfire, sound healing, music, fire ceremony
Frequently Asked Questions
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Verdesana is located in the central mountains of the country, in the province of Cartago, about 1.5 hours from the capital city San Jose. It is a quiet, secluded and peaceful environment at 1600 meters of altitude, surrounded by mountains and cloud forest. You can look up ‘Verdesana Forest’ on Google Maps to get the specific geographic location of the campus.
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Yes! We have several small trail systems located directly onsite. Hikes offsite the property are also available. Please inquire with our onsite team if you want to book a guided hike.
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We provide a vegan menu. Before arrival, you are sent a form to include all of your personal information, such as allergies or dietary needs. Our kitchen team will ensure that all of your allergies are considered while preparing your food.
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Our private ground transportation will depart from SJO domestic airport at 2:00PM on the arrival day of your retreat. Please account for time to go through customs and immigration. This process can take as little as 15 min, and as much as 2.5 hours, depending on the day at the airport and how busy it is. After you exit the airport we will have a representative waiting for you with a sign, and the representative will guide you to the domestic terminal where you will wait with the rest of your group for departure at 2:00PM.
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We want your experience to feel spacious from the moment you register, and part of that is knowing your investment is protected.
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance that includes Cancel for Any Reason coverage before your trip. For Canadian travellers, providers such as TuGo, Blue Cross, Manulife, and CAA Travel Insurance are commonly used and worth exploring to find the right fit for your situation.
Some participants also choose to add a Global Rescue membership, which provides emergency medical evacuation, field rescue, and security evacuation services worldwide. This is separate from travel insurance but can offer an additional layer of peace of mind when travelling internationally.
We want you to arrive in Costa Rica feeling genuinely at ease — and taking care of these practical details ahead of time is part of that.
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Cancellation Policy
We understand that circumstances can change. Please review our cancellation terms carefully before registering.
Deposits and non-refundable portion
The $500 deposit is non-refundable from the date of payment. In addition, $2,500 of your total investment (inclusive of the deposit) is non-refundable at any point after registration. This reflects the commitments we make to our venue, facilitators, and planning partners well in advance of the retreat.
Refund schedule for the remaining balance
The balance above $2,500 is subject to the following schedule:
✓ On or before November 30, 2026: fully refundable
✓ December 1 to December 31, 2026: 50 percent refundable
✓ On or after January 1, 2027: non-refundable
Credit option
If you are unable to attend, you may request a credit toward other programs or services offered by the Hosts. Credits are granted at the Hosts' sole discretion and are not guaranteed. Requests must be submitted in writing, and approved credits must be used within 60 days of the retreat start date. Program availability cannot be guaranteed.
Medical emergencies
In the case of a documented medical emergency, the Hosts may offer a partial credit toward a future retreat, less any administrative or unrecoverable costs. This is offered at the Hosts' discretion.
Retreat cancellation by the Hosts
If the retreat must be postponed or cancelled due to circumstances beyond our control, including natural disasters, war, pandemic restrictions, or government travel advisories, the Hosts are not held liable for associated costs such as flights, travel insurance, or personal expenses. In these cases, registered participants will be offered either a place in a rescheduled retreat or a credit toward a future program of equivalent value. Credits offered under this clause are not subject to the 60-day limit.
How to request a cancellation or credit
All cancellation and credit requests must be submitted in writing to info@congruentpractice.com. The date of receipt will determine which tier of the refund schedule applies.
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Yes. Coming Home to Congruence has been reviewed and approved by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) for 22 continuing education credit hours. After the retreat, we'll give you a CEC application form to fill out and send in yourself, along with proof of attendance. If you're a CCPA member, your transcript is issued at no cost. If you're not a member, CCPA asks for a $45 fee to record your hours and issue one.
If you're a BCACC registrant here in Canada, these hours count toward your own QACC tracking too. BCACC doesn't pre-approve outside events by name, so you won't see the retreat listed in their system — you'll simply log it yourself under whichever learning category fits, and your CCPA certificate serves as your record.
If you're joining us from the US, continuing education rules vary by state and by licensing board, and CCPA is a Canadian association. We'd suggest checking with your own board ahead of time to see how they handle hours earned through a Canadian-accredited event. Some accept them without any trouble, others want their own form. If you let us know who you're licensed through, we're happy to help you figure out what you need.
Join us in Costa Rica
What’s included
Five nights / six days at Verdesana by Imiloa
Private or semi-private accommodations based on your chosen cabin type
Round-trip group ground transportation between San José Airport (SJO) and Verdesana at the designated retreat transfer times
All chef-prepared vegetarian meals during the retreat, along with fresh juices, Costa Rican coffee, tea, and water
Full retreat facilitation with Lisa Catallo and Jennifer Nagel
All retreat programming, experiential sessions, and program materials
Guided workshops, reflective practices, small-group dialogue, and embodied experiences
Morning yoga, meditation, and other restorative practices
Special retreat experiences, which may include sound healing, cacao, music, ritual, and other thoughtfully curated elements of the week, such as Verdesana's wood-fired hot pools
Time for rest, nature, and spacious integration, including access to the retreat grounds and shared amenities at Verdesana
Accommodation of dietary needs
What’s not included
Round-trip airfare to and from Costa Rica
Travel insurance (strongly recommended, please see FAQ above for suggested providers)
Airport transfers outside the designated group retreat transfer times
Accommodations needed before or after the retreat
Optional spa services or bodywork
Wellness Bar purchases, including smoothies, mocktails, and specialty coffees
Personal purchases or incidentals, including souvenirs, laundry, or additional beverages not included by the venue
Medical expenses, prescription medications, or emergency travel-related costs
Gratuities
Any costs associated with flight changes, missed connections, delayed arrivals, or additional transportation required due to travel disruptions
Join us in Costa Rica
