Awaken Retreat
With Dr. Jesse Hanson and Demi Betschart
September 15 - 21, 2024
Rediscover your true essence.
Immerse yourself in the biodiverse and lush landscape of Costa Rica for a transformational experience designed to guide you on a journey of self-discovery, personal growth, and life fulfillment.
Our facilitated preparation and integration programming combined with our 3:1 guest-to-guide ratio serves to help you feel fully supported throughout your journey.
Enjoy luxurious accommodations surrounded by scenic mountains and a sea view & savor delicious farm-to-table meals to nourish you on every level.
Wisdom meets science: our integrative approach
Atman’s philosophy for healing and transformation draws insights from ancient traditions and the latest developments in neuropsychology, somatic relational therapy, attachment theory, complex trauma, and parts work.
Merging elements of family constellation therapy and internal family systems with ceremony, mindfulness, and embodiment, Atman is pioneering an integrative approach to radical healing, personal development, and holistic wellness.
What to expect throughout the ‘Awaken’ retreat
Psychoeducation – Learn the science behind our approach to give you a cognitive and logical understanding of the experience you will have at your retreat.
Relational Support – Receive a dedicated, individualized preparation session, during which, your facilitators and retreat group actively engage in and support your process.
Therapeutic Touch – We offer bodywork to ensure that you can holistically integrate the mental and emotional shifts you experience during your retreat.
Facilitated preparation and integration support
The power and potential of your retreat depend on how you prepare your body, mind, and spirit for the experience – as well as how you’re able to translate it into meaningful shifts in your life afterward.
We provide in-depth preparation and integration support, providing you with tools, and giving you opportunities to witness and be witnessed in a group setting.
All of these serve as a road map for your journey.
Your retreat includes a group preparation call two weeks before and a group integration call two weeks after your retreat (virtual). At the retreat, you’ll move through a group-supported preparation process before your first ceremony, and group integration following your second ceremony.
Additional 1:1 Support
Due to the expansive nature of psychedelic and somatic work, we recommend having multiple guided preparation sessions leading up to your journey and ongoing integration after your retreat with one of our experienced coaches. Your 1:1 calls are with an experienced and dedicated Atman coach, personalized to your needs, and can be booked as individual sessions or packages.
The more informed, resourced, and supported you are, the greater the potential for breakthroughs and transformations in your life that can be sustained long term.
You may book more preparation and integration sessions with an Ātman facilitator in the retreat registration process. If you have any trouble with this, please email us at info@atmanretreats.com.
Ceremonies, guided practices, rest, and play
Experience two facilitated ceremonies where you can go inward, explore different spaces on the land, and receive support with whatever may arise.
Join daily group mindfulness or movement practices that are intentionally curated to help you develop the skills and gain the tools to anchor you throughout your journey.
We value rest and play. Outside of ceremonies and group work, you will have space to rest, go on nature excursions, and gather for meals and fire circles.
Please note: While the core elements of the retreat are consistent, we may adjust activities due to weather and to best support the unique dynamics, of each group.
The power to shape your own experience
While we trust in the transformative power of this process and offer our unwavering support, it’s ultimately your path to walk and your inner guidance to heed.
Your sovereignty serves as a beacon that guides and empowers you to shape an experience that resonates authentically with your being. We honor your individuality and invite you to embrace your truths and set the rhythm of your journey.
While every element of your experience is optional, we encourage you to be in tune with and express your personal needs and boundaries. Come with an open heart and mind, ready to explore the depths of your being and awaken.
The Ātman Team
Meet the heart and soul behind Ātman: a dedicated team of trauma-informed facilitators who serve as pillars of support before, during, and after retreats.
Dr. Jesse Hanson, Clinical Director
Jesse holds a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, specializing in somatic psychology and neuropsychology. He also possesses a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Santa Barbara Graduate Institute. In addition to his academic achievements, Jesse has spent over 20 years training with various holistic and shamanic teachers, exploring the connection between mind and body and its impact on natural healing processes.
Currently, he also serves as a co-founder and clinical director of MentalHealth.com, the chief clinical officer of Dimensions Retreats, and the Interim Clinical Director at Ryzio Institute. He works as a Clinical Advisor at HOLOS. He also served four seasons as an interventionist on A&E’s documentary series Intervention. With a career centered on helping patients recover and better their lives, Jesse is committed to bridging modern neuroscience with ancient wisdom.
He is also a father and lives with his family in beautiful Costa Rica.
How we create safety
Our approach integrates three elements identified by research as essential factors for catalyzing transformative experiences.
- An environment that helps you have a felt experience of safety
- An embodied experience of your true essence/authentic self
- Being witnessed by and supported by the loving care of another
We cultivate the conditions that allow you to have these transformational experiences at the retreat by establishing an environment that prioritizes your physical and emotional well-being so you can fully engage with the process.
Exploring guest readiness
Your transformational retreat experience often results in a fresh mental perspective, influencing how you view yourself and your surroundings.
We explore your readiness for these potential changes by supporting you through an onboarding process that involves a screening call and intake form. We intend to get to know you as well as possible to build a deep sense of trust so that we can best support you before, during, and after your retreat.
Questions? We’d love to hear from you.
If you feel called to this work and resonate with our approach, we encourage you to reach out to us with any questions and curiosities that could guide you toward a path that is in alignment with your unique needs.
Reach out to us at info@atmanretreats.com and we will respond to you within 48 hours.
We look forward to connecting with you.
About the Leaders
Dr. Jesse Hanson
Dr. Jesse Hanson is the clinical director for Atman Resorts and Retreats. He holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology with a specialization in somatic psychology and neuropsychology. He also possesses a master's degree in Clinical Psychology from Santa Barbara Graduate Institute. In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. […]
Learn more about Dr. Jesse Hanson
Demi Betschart
Demi Betschart is a seasoned practitioner and somatic coach with over a decade of dedication to the healing arts. With a profound journey spanning soul retrieval, rebirthing, and deep exploration of body awareness, yoga, meditation, and breath work, she brings a wealth of experience to the realm of somatic healing. Over the past seven years, […]
Learn more about Demi BetschartCategories : Somatic Relational Therapy, Transformation, Wellness