How the Work Happens

The retreat is held as a continuous therapeutic environment rather than a series of sessions.

Each day includes one-to-one therapeutic time with Tess, alongside shared moments, quiet reflection, movement, meals, and time outdoors. The work unfolds through relationship, presence, and careful attention — not through pressure or performance.

There is no requirement to share personal stories in a group. Guests are met individually and privately, with the group providing a steady, human backdrop rather than a therapeutic demand.

The structure of the week is intentionally simple. This allows the nervous system to settle, trust to build, and meaningful shifts to occur — often more quickly and more deeply than expected.

Many women arrive feeling unsure of what they “need.” By the end of the week, clarity, relief, and internal movement are already underway.

Tess Hunneybell

Trauma psychotherapist · Retreat lead

I lead the therapeutic work of the retreat, including daily one-to-one sessions and small group workshops. I have been designing and holding trauma-informed retreats for over fifteen years, and I carry the clinical responsibility and overall structure of the week so guests can arrive knowing the work is experienced, contained, and professionally held.

Further information about my clinical background and work can be found at
https://tesshunneybell.com

Eszter Balázs

Somatic Therapist · Yoga Teacher · Reflexologist

Eszter’s work is rooted in somatic therapy and nervous-system awareness, supporting the body to release held patterns of tension, protection, and fatigue at a pace that remains tolerable and safe. Her approach recognises that trauma is carried not only in memory, but in posture, breath, and reflexive responses.

Through gentle movement, breath-led yoga, and reflexology, Eszter helps guests reconnect with bodily signals in a way that builds trust rather than overwhelm. Sessions are responsive and adaptable, with careful attention to regulation, boundaries, and individual capacity on any given day.

Many guests describe her work as quietly stabilising — creating a sense of grounding and coherence that allows deeper therapeutic work to unfold without force.

Viktoria Varga

Senior Yoga Teacher & Holistic Massage Therapist

Viki supports the body’s natural capacity to soften, settle, and restore. Her work is gentle, grounding, and responsive, offering guests a way back into physical presence without pressure or expectation.

Yoga and massage sessions are always invitational and adapted to each individual, with careful attention to safety, consent, and nervous-system regulation. Many guests describe her presence as quietly reassuring — steady, attuned, and deeply respectful of where the body is on any given day.

The Healing Trauma Workbook

Each participant receives a 97-page Healing Trauma Workbook, created by Tess Hunneybell to accompany the retreat.

The workbook is designed to be used selectively. Not every section will be relevant to every person or every retreat experience, and there is no expectation to read it in full. Guests are invited to dip in and out of the sections that feel useful at different moments.

It offers reminders of work done during the week, gentle prompts for reflection, and accessible psychoeducation, as well as material that many people return to later for ongoing reference and integration.

The workbook supports continuity between therapeutic conversations and provides a way to orient when experiences are difficult to name. What you write is entirely private and remains your own.

Key Details

Location
San Flaviano Monastery, Umbria, Italy

Duration
6 nights / 7 days

Group Size
Maximum of 5 guests per retreat

Language
English

Accommodation
Single occupancy rooms with bathrooms or Shared Twin room with bathroom

Meals
All meals included

Food & Nourishment

Guests are nourished with lovingly prepared Italian meals made from seasonal ingredients, rooted in vegetarian and pescatarian cooking.

The food is generous, comforting, and supportive — created to care for the body as the therapeutic work unfolds. Dietary requirements are welcomed and accommodated.

Yes, chocolate! Yes, espresso!

Water throughout the house comes from a fresh mountain spring and is available as drinking water from all taps.

2026 Retreat Dates

20–26 May 2026
3–9 June 2026
17–23 June 2026
8–14 July 2026
22–28 July 2026
5–11 August 2026
26 Aug – 1 Sept 2026 3 place
9–15 September 2026

Wed arrival · Tue departure · Max 5 guests

Investment & Accommodation

This is a fully held, all-inclusive trauma retreat hosted at San Flaviano Monastery, Italy.

The investment includes:

6 nights / 7 days accommodation
3 Full meals & snacks per day
The complete therapeutic programme
Daily yoga, somatic therapy and body-based work
One-to-one therapeutic sessions and workshops with Tess
Thermal Spa afternoon
A small, carefully held group (maximum 5 participants)

Early Booking (Limited)

A 30% early booking rate is available for a limited time and confirmed on a first-come basis..

This rate applies to both room options and is offered to support early commitment and planning

A 25% deposit secures your place.
The remaining balance is due 4 weeks before the retreat. The deposit is calculated based on the price paid at the time of booking, including any early booking rate.

Private Room in the Monastery

A quiet, comfortable private bedroom offering space to rest and withdraw between sessions.
Rooms are kept at a constant, comfortable temperature of around 24°C, supporting rest and regulation throughout the year.

~~€4,400,~~ €3,150 (30% early booking)
(Private room ensuite bathroom)

Deposit: €787.50
🔒 Pay secure card deposit

Secure Stripe payment · Debit & credit cards accepted

Shared Room (Two Guests)

A spacious 90M2 Church Mezzanine room shared with one other guest, with clearly defined sleeping areas.
The space is maintained at a stable temperature of approximately 24°C, with access to two bathrooms.

~~€3,900,~~ €2,730 (30% early booking) each
(Shared room · two bathrooms)

Deposit: €682.50
🔒 Pay secure card deposit