Upcoming Events

In an increasingly complex and challenging world, finding inner peace and resilience is more vital than ever. This intimate, four-day Immersion™ Retreat is designed by Canyon Ranch Mental Health & Wellness Experts for those seeking to heal, grow, and cultivate a calm center amid life’s storms.

Join us in at our award-winning New England spa resort, and connect with like-minded individuals while immersing yourself in a transformative journey that blends expert guidance with holistic wellness practices.

Through insightful presentations, healing consultations, and restorative activities, this exclusive experience offers you the tools to understand and process trauma, develop resilience, and embrace holistic well-being.

In addition to this event, you can enjoy all of the daily activities that Lenox, MA offers. Explore our sample schedule.

Dr. Elisseou received her B.A. and M.D. at Brown University and completed residency and chief residency at Yale School of Medicine. She is a practicing physician in the VA healthcare system, an instructor at Harvard Medical School and Boston University School of Medicine, and an internationally recognized expert in trauma-informed care (TIC), a strategic framework for supporting survivors of physical, sexual, psychological, and structural trauma. Dr. Elisseou creates evidence-based platforms to train professionals in trauma-informed practices.

Over the past 17 years, Dr. Elisseou has cared for thousands of patients with a trauma history. Her patients taught her that there is a need for a universal, trauma-informed approach to care. In order to help meet this need, Dr. Elisseou read extensively about TIC and created a novel framework to enhance patient safety during medical appointments. Dr. Elisseou is considered the premier expert on trauma-informed physical examination; her award-winning curriculum on this subject is now taught at medical schools across the U.S.. She has since applied TIC to help organizations within and outside healthcare.

Dr. Elisseou is the co-founder of the National Veterans Health Administration TIC Collaborative, a member of the Trauma Informed Health Care, Education and Research (TIHCHER) collaborative, and a member of the Harvard Medical School TIC Steering Committee. She is invited to speak about TIC for broad audiences including the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), disaster relief organizations, and health officials in developing nations. She has been named an Ambassador of the Dr. Lorna Breen Heroes Foundation.

Internal Experts

Mary Cahilly
MA, LMHC, LPC, CCTP, Mental Health & Wellness Therapist
Mary is dedicated to helping her clients remember the truth and beauty of who they are. Weaving transpersonal psychotherapy, mindfulness approaches to wellness, and her understanding of neuroscience, she teaches her clients how to pause and access their own inherent wisdom as they move through life’s challenges and celebrate life’s preciousness.

Robbie Bogard
MA, LICSW, Mental Health & Wellness Therapist
Robbie is a seasoned therapist of 30 years, with specialties in trauma recovery, women’s issues, stress management, mindfulness, and relationship with food. She uses the latest research in neuroscience, attachment styles, and mind-body connection to help people better understand their patterns of behavior and make the changes they desire.

Amy Hawthorne
MS, LMFT, Tucson Director of Mental Health & Wellness
Amy specializes in getting to the root of issues quickly, helping guests to recognize the deeper “why” for current life circumstances, identifying and healing past traumas, and addressing maladaptive relationship patterns.

Dan Marko
MA, Senior Spiritual Wellness Provider
Dan helps guests explore how developing or deepening a spiritual practice can enhance personal and professional relationships. He provides individual consultations, group lectures, and workshops.

Holly Benzenhafer
PhD, MDiv, MSc, Spiritual Wellness Provider
Holly is dedicated to helping our guests explore the deep meaning of their lives. Through individual, couple, family, or group sessions, she creates a safe space for resort guests where they may attune and attend places of spiritual pain and healing to find pathways to a life of intention, joy, and connection.

Friday, March 28

8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Time for services if arriving early

4:30 p.m. Welcome Reception
An opportunity to relax, mingle with fellow participants, and enjoy light refreshments in a calming atmosphere, joined by Mary Cahilly, Holly Benzenhafer, and Dr. Sadie Elisseou as they warmly welcome you to this retreat.

5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Group Welcome Dinner with Dr. Sadie Elisseou

**7 p.m. Sound Healing **
Completely disconnect from the noise of the day and surrender to a peaceful, meditation using the vibrations of Tibetan singing bowls and unique healing qualities offered by each soothing tone. Please wear loose, comfortable clothing.

Saturday, March 29

8 a.m. – 8:30 a.m. Pranayama Breathing
Every cell in our bodies needs oxygen to function properly. Join us in this engaged breathing practice that can decrease the effects of stress on the body and increase overall physical and mental wellbeing.

10 a.m. Trauma: Understanding & Healing
Gain insight about trauma and how it effects the central nervous system. Explore ways to heal and build a flourishing life by promoting post-traumatic growth.

12 p.m. Lunch & Learn: Mindful Eating
A mental health therapist leads you through the practice of mindful eating, while our demonstration chef prepares a delicious meal featuring gut-friendly fermented foods. With intention and appreciation, fully experience the pleasure of food.

1 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. CR Vitality Tour
Take your wellness routine to the next level with our new collection of dedicated recovery spaces. Featuring equipment from our Health & Performance experts, each space aims to improve energy, recovery, regeneration, sleep, and overall vitality.

5 p.m. Contemplation & Healing
A spiritual wellness provider explores how changing the way you “see” through contemplative spiritual practice can foster greater wholeness and inner peace.

7 p.m. Insights on Healing with Dr. Sadie Elisseou
Dr. Sadie Elisseou shares expert guidance on navigating life’s challenges and fostering a deeper connection between mind, body, and spirit.

Sunday, March 30

9 a.m. – 11 a.m. Shinrin Yoku
Experience the Japanese practice of taking in the forest atmosphere or "forest bathing." Join your guide on a slow, intentional walk into the woods to de-stress and reconnect with nature. Sign up: CR App or with a Wellness Guide, Ext. 55423

3 p.m. Somatic Yoga
Undo habitual patterns that may lead to pain, by retraining the brain and allow your muscles to return to their natural state. This practice blends mindful movement with gentle postures to increase awareness, release tension, and promote relaxation.

4 p.m. Rewire for Relief: Relieving Chronic Pain
Research shows that most chronic pain is the result of neuroplasticity. The brain learns to be in a state of high alert, which leads to pain. Learn how your brain can get stuck in a fear-pain cycle and how you can find relief.

8 p.m. Insights on Healing with Dr. Sadie Elisseou
Dr. Sadie Elisseou shares expert guidance on navigating life’s challenges and fostering a deeper connection between mind, body, and spirit.

Monday, March 31

7:45 a.m. On-Property Pole Hike/Nordic Walk
Join us for a brisk, energizing walk on woodland trails using poles for extra aerobic conditioning. Sign up: CR App or with a Wellness Guide, Ext. 55423.

10 a.m. Cultivating a Resilient Mindset
Learn how to cultivate resiliency skills with Director of Mental Health & Wellness, Amy Hawthorne, MS, LMFT. Amy discusses trauma, stress and burnout, in high-functioning people, common symptoms and how it affects your life.

2 p.m. Closing Panel Discussion
Wrap up your transformative retreat with an engaging Discussion and Q&A featuring Dan Marko, Robbie Bogard, and Dr. Sadie Elisseou. This final session provides a chance to reflect on key insights, ask questions, and gain valuable takeaways