Email: contact@souliology.com
STEP 1 - SOMATIC IFS RETREAT WITH SUSAN MCCONNELL AND STAFF
PORTUGAL - APRIL 22 - 29, 2026
What to expect from a Somatic Internal Family Systems Retreat (SIFS) with Susan McConnell and her clinically trained staff?
This Step 1 enriching Somatic IFS retreat is a retreat not to be missed.
Somatic IFS is a branch of IFS that blends the principles of somatic therapy - like movement, touch, sensation and breathwork – with the traditional tools of IFS. Somatic IFS explores the embodiment of the internal family with the goal of restoring the client’s SELF to leadership and allowing parts that express through the body to come into relationship and alignment with the client’s SELF.
On this retreat, you will be invited to explore your internal system with the practices of Somatic IFS. Through guided exercises, journaling, live demonstrations and small group interactions you will listen to your parts through sensations, movement and touch. Your experience of the Embodied Self can transform your personal and professional life.
During the retreat, you will be skilfully guided by Susan and her staff to experience for yourself the five practices of Somatic IFS, to help you heal parts's burdens in the body, using the IFS model. -
1: Somatic Awareness
2: Conscious Breathing
3: Radical Resonance
4: Mindful Movement
5: Attuned Touch
PLEASE NOTE: Step 1 is an experiential retreat, not a formal training in the Somatic IFS model. Step 2 is the formal 54-hour Somatic IFS Training, and participation is only possible after fully completing a Step 1 retreat. This sequence is intentional: you cannot guide clients further than you have gone yourself. Step 1 provides the essential foundation by allowing you to personally experience the five core practices of Somatic IFS in a safe, confidential, and deeply supported environment. Through this direct experience of the model, you gain the insight and grounding needed to later learn its various steps and ultimately bring this transformative work to your clients.
The retreat is open to IFSI Level 1 + graduates only. 20 IFS-CE credits are available for this Somatic IFS Retreat which can be used towards IFS certification or recertification.
A completion certificate will only be offered to participants who attend all 30 hours of this retreat. If, for any reason you cannot attend the full 30 hours, you will not be issued with a completion certificate. You will also require a completion certificate from a Step 1 Program to be eligible to attend a Step 2 54-hour Somatic IFS Training Program.
This retreat is limited to 32 participants.
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A Little more about Susan....
Susan McConnell, MAPD, CHT, is a senior trainer for the IFS Institute and has taught Internal Family Systems in the US and internationally since 1997. Somatic IFS is the culmination of her experience and teaching of various bodywork, movement, spiritual, and psychotherapeutic modalities that facilitate the embodiment of the internal family—the subpersonalities as well as the essential core Self—to bring compassionate witnessing to the implicit body stories of our individual hurts and societal burdens.
Somatic IFS is a branch of the Internal Family Systems (IFS) Model. IFS is a psychotherapeutic model that normalizes multiplicity of the mind and views each person as having a Self that the therapist helps to uncover so that it can fully lead the system of parts, or subpersonalities.
IFS holds that all parts, regardless of how they currently manifest, hold positive intent and can be helped to contribute their wisdom and gifts to the person’s system. Somatic IFS explores the embodiment of the internal family with the goal of restoring the client’s Self to leadership and allowing parts that express through the body to come into relationship and alignment with the client’s Self.
To learn more about Susan, visit her website at:
The Retreat Location
The Retreat will take place in the 5* Oceanfront Hotel in Sesimbra, Portugal.
Sesimbra, a hidden gem just a stone's throw from Lisbon! This charming town, beloved by locals, offers an authentic slice of Portuguese life, far from the hustle of mass tourism.
Sesimbra is beautifully situated next to Arrábida National Park, where you'll find stunning hills covered in Mediterranean vegetation, dramatic cliffs, and untouched beaches. From here, you can easily reach Capo Espichel, known for its famous sanctuary where dinosaur footprints were discovered.
The town offers a variety of activities, including excursions, scenic walks, and water sports. The sandy bay is flanked by high cliffs to the west and a fishing port to the east, with the municipal beach charmingly split in two by a historic fort. Nearby, the pristine beaches of Arrábida Natural Park, such as the famous Praia do Figueirinha, entice visitors with their calm, crystal-clear waters and stunning scenery.
For breathtaking panoramic views, head to "The Castle," perched on a 200-meter cliff. Built by the Moors and later contested in the 12th century by Alfonso Henriques, the first king of Portugal, and Dom Sancho I, this historic site offers a glimpse into the region's rich past. The castle's main attraction is the Igreja Santa Maria do Castelo, a small white church beautifully decorated with traditional blue and white azulejos.
If you love the great outdoors, Arrábida National Park is a must-visit. This protected mountain area, stretching behind the town, is one of Portugal's most picturesque green spaces. With numerous hiking paths suitable for both trekking and mountain biking, it's a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
There is plenty to do on your day off, whether you're exploring historic sites, enjoying outdoor adventures, indulging in the Hotel's wonderful spa treatments or simply relaxing by the sea, Sesimbra offers a perfect blend of natural beauty and cultural richness in an enchanting corner of Portugal!
Here is a link to help you explore more about the locality:
Recommended Reading
Susan McConnell is also the author of Somatic Internal Family Systems: Awareness, Breath, Resonance, Movement and Touch in Practice and The Somatic Internal Family Systems Therapy Workbook. The workbook is both a stand-alone book and a companion to her Somatic Internal family Systems Therapy book.
You can purchase these books at https://www.embodiedself.net/book and they are also available on Amazon UK and US or at North Atlantic Books - https://www.northatlanticbooks.com/
It would be really beneficial to read at least her book -Somatic Internal Family Systems: Awareness, Breath, Resonance, Movement and Touch in Practice in its entirety prior to the beginning of the retreat so you can get the very most out of your experience and financial investment but it is not essential and there is no obligation to do so.
Retreat Particulars
The retreat will take place South of Lisbon in a charming seaside resort.
The retreat is over 7 days starting at 7pm on the Wednesday evening of April 22nd, 2026 when we will meet for dinner, welcome everyone, make introductions and outline the program for the week. We will complete our week on Wednesday April 29th, 2026 after breakfast, when you are free to depart at your convenience.
The cost of the retreat is €3,995 based on single room occupancy. The retreat cost includes the retreat guidance with Susan McConnell and Staff, 7 nights private ensuite accommodation and 3 delicious meals a day plus teas/coffees and refreshments during the morning and afternoon breaks. Each day locally sourced foods will be available for breakfast, lunch and a delicious evening meal. All meals include gluten free and vegetarian options.
There is a day off on Sunday, April 26th, 2026 to allow participants to process, rest and relax. You are not required to stay at the retreat hotel on the day off, so if you wish to make plans, go to Lisbon or go sightseeing, you are free to use your time as you wish. To allow you fully embrace this day off, we will not be providing lunch or dinner on the evening of April 26th.
This retreat is limited to 32 participants. If you are interested in participating, please register your interest. You will then be seamlessly directed to a registration form for completion. Only applicants who complete a full registration form will be considered for this retreat. Once your registration is approved we will advise you formally and it is only at this point that we will request a €1,000 (EURO) non-refundable and non-transferable deposit to secure your place.
Any travel costs to the retreat location in Sesimbra, Portugal, is the sole responsibility of the participant.
IMPORTANT: Please read our FAQS page on this website for further guidelines and information on Covid, the arrangements we have in place in the unlikely event the retreat is cancelled due to Covid or in the unlikely event the retreat leader is not in a position to attend. The FAQS page also provides further general information which you may find useful when planning your trip. If after reading the FAQS page you have any further information, please feel free to email us at contact@souliology.com.
Retreat Schedule: -
Seven Day Retreat Schedule – This is a broad outline of what the schedule for the week will look like but it is subject to change at Susan’s discretion.
Wednesday 22nd April – Wednesday 29th, April, 2026
Wednesday – 22nd
Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Monday and Tuesday
Sunday
3pm or later
6.30pm
7.30pm – 9pm
7.30am – 9am
9am – 12pm
12.15pm
3pm – 6pm
6.30pm
Hotel Check-in
Dinner
Opening Session
Breakfast
Morning Session
Light Lunch
Afternoon Session
Dinner
Tuesday Night
Wednesday – 29th
Day off to do as you please – rest, relax, process, enjoy the spa or sightsee. Please note, we will not be offering lunch or an evening meal on this day to allow you fully embrace your day off. However, breakfast will be available for you so you can start the day on the right note.
8am – 9am
11am
Breakfast
Check out.
7pm - Dinner followed by a closing event at 8pm with music from a wonderful local musician. Please ensure to stay until the end so you don’t miss it.
Please note we will serve teas/coffees and refreshments during our morning and afternoon breaks which will usually be at 10.30am and
4.30pm daily except on the day off.
Your Investment: .
Total Retreat Cost: - €3,995 per participant (based on single room occupancy)
The retreat cost includes the 7-day retreat itself with Susan McConnell, 7 nights private ensuite accommodation in a beautiful beachfront hotel and 3 delicious meals a day to include a full breakfast, a light lunch and a delicious evening meal throughout the retreat schedule (except on the day off when we will be offering breakfast only). Our retreat location can also cater for a variety of dietary requirements such as vegetarian, gluten free and lactose intolerance. You can indicate your dietary requirements and preferences on the registration form.
Retreat Payment Schedule:
We are delighted to offer flexibility with our payment options. You have two choices: you can make full payment now of €3,995 (EURO) or you can opt for our convenient payment plan. The payment plan breaks down the retreat cost into 3 convenient payments as follows:
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Payment 1: €1,000 (Euro) non-refundable deposit – (Due on acceptance onto the retreat).
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Payment 2: €1,500 (Euro) per person due by the 21st November, 2025. (This amount will be refundable until 30th January 2026 should you decide to cancel.
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Payment 3: The remaining balance depending on your room occupancy type must be paid by the 30th January 2026.
Please note: There is no refund of fees over and above your non-refundable deposit for withdrawal for any reason after 30th January 2026. If you register for the retreat after the specified payment deadlines outlined above, the existing payment schedule will no longer apply. Your payment schedule will either be adjusted to align with the existing payment plan, provided the payment deadlines allow, or you will be required to pay for the retreat in full.
Partners/Companions: If you wish to attend the retreat with a companion and share accommodation, we offer a reduced fee for both attendees. The total cost for two people to attend the full retreat and share accommodation at the hotel is €7,700. Please ensure to indicate your preference by choosing Option 3 during the registration process.
Additionally, you are welcome to bring a companion who can stay at the hotel with you in shared accommodation, enjoy the set retreat meals but not attend the retreat itself. This option incurs a supplementary cost of €1,000. Please ensure to indicate your preference by choosing Option 2 during the registration process.
Please note:
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Any companion accompanying you must be an adult over 18 years of age.
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Children are not allowed to join you in shared accommodation during the retreat.
Possible additional charges -:
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An additional €100 (Euro) per person late fee for payments received after 21st November 2025 and 30th January 2026.
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An additional €50 (Euro) administrative fee for room or occupancy category changes.
20 IFS-CE credits are available for this Somatic IFS Retreat which can be used towards IFS certification or recertification.
