Days
Hours
Mins
Cultivating the Joy of Intimacy & Connection
April 15 - April 18, 2027
Jayne Gumpel LCSW
David Gumpel M.A
Irina Linetskaya, MD
Donna Sorgen, LMHC,LPC
This is a safe, structured retreat for couples led by a staff of licensed and highly experienced therapists and physicians in the beautiful Catskill Mountains at Menla Retreat and Spa.“Joy as medicine, love as practice”This retreat is an invitation for couples to slow down and deeply celebrate the nuances of their relationship, including aspects of joy and intimacy. Together, you will learn to understand each other’s needs and navigate challenges collaboratively. At the heart of the work is what we call noble communication: clear and compassionate exchange that lays the foundation for healthy relationships. As these skills deepen, couples often discover greater connection, more joy, and a deeper sense of unity.Ketamine is used here as a tool to explore profound existential realms and open loving communication. We see joy as a core aspect of our being. When unblocked, it enhances not only our intimacy but also our overall health and happiness. Ketamine-assisted sessions are designed to open mental, emotional, and physical channels, allowing participants to meet these parts of themselves with clarity, insight, and acceptance. Mindfulness and meditation are woven throughout the retreat, supporting the ability to regulate emotions and thoughts and to meet each moment with balance and grace. Poetry and art are also offered as supportive practices, opening space for creativity and wonder and helping create the conditions for cultivating joy.The program deepens personal and interpersonal connection within a group setting. The group is part of the medicine. Structured, meaningful conversations and guided practices support the exploration of relationship and intimacy in a nurturing environment. No prior experience with ketamine or other psychedelic medicines is required, and every couple begins with a screening call to ensure the retreat is a good fit. Preparation and integration are woven throughout the retreat so that what emerges can be understood and carried home into everyday life.Please note: This retreat is not a short-term residential treatment and is not suitable for anyone experiencing an acute mental health crisis or living with severe, persistent psychiatric conditions. It is also not intended as mediation for couples considering breakup or divorce. Medical Interview required for attendance.Steps to Join:Step 1: Complete the retreat application form. Once we receive your application, you’ll get an email with instructions for scheduling a screening call with our Co-Founder and Lead Facilitator, Jayne Gumpel, LCSW. This call will be held over Zoom.Step 2: If both you and our team feel the retreat is a good fit, we’ll ask you to make a 50% deposit of the retreat fee (note: housing costs are not included in this fee).Step 3: After your deposit secures your spot, you’ll receive a welcome email with important next steps, including:Schedule:Rooms available at 4 pmMedical retreat check-in: Thursday, 4 pmThursday, April 15
ABOUT THE TEACHERs
Jayne Gumpel LCSW
Jayne Gumpel LCSW, is a healer, poet, creator of Cultivating JOY retreats, and teacher. She is a Fluence lead trainer and KAP practitioner with groups, couples and individuals in private practice in NYC and Woodstock, New York. Jayne co-owns www.relationshipresources.info with he...
David Gumpel M.A
David Gumpel, Co-founder of Relationship Resources, is an Integral Master Coach and a qualified teacher of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) through UMASS medical school. He completed his MA in Psychology at The New School for Social Research. David is the co-founder of...
Irina Linetskaya, MD
Irina is a board certified Internal Medicine physician and LGBTQ+ health and HIV specialist whose integrative medicine practice, Contemplative Medicine, focuses at the intersection of physical illness, emotional trauma, and spirituality. Irina has supplemented her rigorous medica...
Donna Sorgen, LMHC,LPC
Donna Sorgen, LMHC, LPC (she/her/hers) is a psychotherapist with over 20 years experience working with adults, children, adolescents, couples, and groups. She is the Director of the Woodstock Therapy Center and the Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) Program at WTC. She is also...
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