The Therapist's Reset: Building Multi-Dimensional Resiliency

An immersive retreat for psychotherapists to deepen personal work and expand professional mastery. 

The Elongate Urban Retreat is specifically designed for clinicians who understand that personal self-awareness directly informs clinical excellence. Over this rich weekend, participants will explore the interplay of personal narratives, early wounds, the neuropsychology of resiliency and professional presence — gaining both internal clarity and specific clinical tools for treating attachment wounds, developmental trauma and their primary wounds. 

Retreat Faculty Highlights: 

• Bradley Lake, LICSW, LCSW-C is the founder of Elongate Retreats, LLC, and brings over 36 years of experience as a psychotherapist, clinical supervisor, trainer, and group facilitator. Bradley will offer a plenary on "When We Take Ownership: Shame, Regression, Ego Strength, and the Path to Resiliency," exploring the vital role of ego strength and self-possession in the capacity to take ownership—of mistakes, impact, and growth.  Participants will examine the developmental underpinnings of shame with our LGBTQ+ clients and how regression can serve as a portal to resiliency and intimacy.

• Kristie Nies, Ph.D., ABPP-CN is a board-certified neuropsychologist, a registered yoga teacher, and a psychotherapist and will offer a plenary: "Wired to Heal: Neuroplasticity, Resilience, and the Journey Back to Wholeness."

• Strother Gaines, LGSW, MBA is an innovative leader operating at the intersection of play, creativity, and personal growth and will present,  "The Power of Play: Role-Playing, Rehearsal, and Reimagining the Self."  Role-playing has been used as an intervention since the inception of psychotherapy, but there is a narrow view of what types we use clinically. This workshop examines the use of gaming, immersive theater, and character-building in client-centered, non-traditional therapeutic interventions. We’ll explore history, efficacy, and implementation techniques for your practice.

• Jenny Savitz‑Smith, Ph.D. is a seasoned psychotherapist, supervisor, and mental health professional based in Columbia, SC. With over two decades of clinical experience, she works primarily with adolescents, young adults and families. Her work is based in the belief that the self- of the therapist and the relationship with clients act as the agents of change. 

• Victoria Lee, Ph.D., CGP is an experienced therapist providing individual and group psychotherapy. She is on the faculty of National Group Psychotherapy Institute at the NWSP (New Washington School of Psychiatry). Victoria and Bradley have presented at conferences together.  

  
  

What to Expect: 

• Small and Large Group: Experiential and Didactic  

• Multiple inter-disciplinary Plenaries 

• Constructive Rest Meditation and somatic practices 

• Be Pampered: Catered meals and evening dinners, snacks and a Coffee Bar,  

• A Transformative Kintsugi Experience. Resiliency Activity: From Rupture to Repair.  

• Potting Plants and Donating to the Community Greenhouse (plants provided). Leaving something behind! 

• Luxury urban retreat setting at City Ridge / DC (Upper NW DC) 

Schedule:  September 5–7, 2025   

September 5th: 3:30pm-8:30pm (Dinner Included) 

September 6th: 9:00am-5:00pm (Breakfast and Lunch Included)

  6:30pm-8:30pm (Attendee Dinner Included)

September 7th: 9:00am-3:00pm (Breakfast and Lunch Included) 

(Overnight accommodations not included) 

Investment: 

Early Bird: $1,475 (by July 31, 2025) use Code EARLYBIRD25 at Registration

Standard: $1,650 (August 1-September 2, 2025) 

Space is limited to preserve depth and safety.  

Register Now: Get your CEs* by the Fall Deadline 

*10–12 CE Hours (including LGBTQ+ CEs) for APA/psychologists, ASWB/social workers, ACA/Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) and/or Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC), ANCC/Psychiatric-Mental