Email: contact@souliology.com
STEP 1 - SOMATIC IFS RETREAT WITH SUSAN MCCONNELL IN LAKE JUNALUSKA, NC, USA
OCTOBER 8-15, 2026
What to expect from a Somatic Internal Family Systems Retreat (SIFS)?
Susan McConnell’s amazing 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 experience for yourself the five practices of Somatic IFS -
1: Somatic Awareness
2: Conscious Breathing
3: Radical Resonance
4: Mindful Movement
5: Attuned Touch
Susan, through Somatic IFS, incorporates the five practices to help you heal parts's burdens in the body, using the IFS model.
The retreat is open to IFS graduates only.
PLEASE NOTE: This Step 1 Program is an experiential Retreat and NOT a formal training of the model nor is it an official or accredited training program of the IFS Institute or its model. Once you fully complete a Step 1 Retreat with Susan McConnell, you are eligible to take her Step 2 - 54Hr Online Training in Somatic IFS which instructs and supports you to apply Somatic IFS in your clinical practice.
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, MA, CIFST, CHT, is the creator and founder of Somatic Internal Family Systems (SIFS) and a Senior Lead Trainer for the IFS Institute. She was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for her teaching, mentorship of other trainers, and development of curriculum for IFS Training programs. A pioneer in integrating somatic awareness with the evidence-based IFS model, Susan has been teaching Internal Family Systems throughout the United States and internationally since 1997.
She is the author of Somatic Internal Family Systems Therapy: Awareness, Breath, Resonance, Movement and Touch in Practice, published by North Atlantic Books, as well as the companion Somatic Internal Family Systems Therapy Workbook – Embodied Healing Practices to Transform Trauma. Translated into eight languages, these books have become essential resources for clinicians and practitioners seeking to deepen their Somatic IFS work through embodied, experiential practice.
Somatic IFS represents the culmination of Susan’s five decades of study and practice in bodywork, movement, spiritual traditions, and body psychotherapy. Her approach demonstrates how a deeper embodiment of our internal family—our sub-personalities and our essential Core Self—supports compassionate witnessing of the implicit body stories that arise from individual wounds and collective burdens. Case studies and clinical vignettes throughout her work highlight the profound efficacy of Somatic IFS in addressing a wide range of therapeutic issues.
Susan leads Somatic IFS retreats, and trainings to IFS therapists and practitioners and provides mentorship for the Somatic IFS teaching staff. When she is not teaching, she enjoys time with her family and friends along the shores of Lake Michigan and the Indiana Dunes, where rest, nature, and play nourish her ongoing dedication to healing and embodiment.
To learn a little more, you can visit her website: www.embodiedself.net
What the participants from our previous Somatic IFS Retreats
had to say
Lowing down and opening up! My body is still connecting into the deep healing from the SIFS Retreat and my system feels very calm. Ciara, you were a fabulous host, and thank you to Susan and the team for the wonderful SIFS experience, thank you, thank you, thank you. I appreciate the new Somatic IFS connections made and I look forward to more somatic training in future!
Steph, London
Ciara's attention to detail and level of care for the experience of participants can seen in every part of the retreat process. I highly recommend Souliology as a safe place to land in your travels for training.
The Souliology team is a top notch professional in organizing this kind of events. Ciara made the event feel special and I felt taken care of at the highest level.
Souliology offers a one of a kind experience for healers in this world. Thank you for taking such great care of those of us who attended, as well as offering a variety of experiences to deepen our learning of how to heal and to be healed ourselves. I will absolutely be attending another training with you.
I feel like I just spent a week marinating in self-energy and my heart feels so open. I feel refreshed and deeply seen and witnessed.
The Retreat Location
Lake Junaluska sits in one of the most peaceful and picturesque corners of the North Carolina Smoky Mountains, surrounded by soft, rolling hills, quiet walking paths, and wide-open lake views that change beautifully with the light. The area feels like a natural sanctuary: a place where the mountains rise gently in the distance, the water reflects the sky, and everything slows down just enough for people to breathe again.
The lake’s 3.5-mile walking trail winds past gardens, wooded edges, and small scenic overlooks, creating a sense of being held by nature while still having easy access to modern facilities.
The surrounding region blends tranquillity with subtle vibrancy—nearby Waynesville offers artisan cafés, local markets and small mountain-town charm, while the Blue Ridge Parkway and Great Smoky Mountains National Park provide endless horizons of forested ridgelines, waterfalls and scenic lookouts. Even though the setting feels remote and restorative, the area is surprisingly accessible, with Asheville and it’s regional airport just a short drive away.
There’s plenty to do on and around the grounds of the retreat centre. There is a small spa, a coffee and gift shop, water based facilities weather permitting, and plenty of space to reflect, renew and rejuvenate.
September and October are two of the most beautiful and welcoming months to visit Lake Junaluska. Together they mark the transition from the gentle warmth of late summer into the crisp, colourful calm of autumn in the Smoky Mountains.
Retreat Particulars
Please be advised that this retreat is not a formal training and is not intended as a training on how to guide this work for others. This is strictly a retreat for your personal growth and well-being so you can personally experience Somatic IFS before you delve into the Step 2 training if it appeals to you.
The retreat takes place over 7 days starting at 7pm on the Thursday evening of October 8th, 2026 when we will meet for dinner, welcome everyone, make introductions and outline the program for the week. We will complete our week on Thursday morning October 22nd, 2026 after breakfast, when you are free to depart after check out.
The cost of the retreat starts is $4,400 based on single room occupancy. Each applicant will enjoy their own private ensuite room. Once your application to attend is accepted, we will request a non-refundable and non-transferable deposit of $1,000 (USD) to secure you place on this retreat.
The retreat cost includes the retreat guidance with Susan McConnell and Staff, 7 nights accommodation and 3 delicious meals a day plus bottomless teas/coffees throughout the week. Each day locally sourced foods will be available for breakfast, lunch and a delicious evening meal. All meals include gluten free and vegetarian options and you can outline your preference during the registration process.
There is a day off on Monday, October 12th, 2026 to allow participants to process, rest and relax or tour some of the local Landmarks.
You are not required to stay at the retreat venue on the day off and you are free to leave and do as you choose this day.
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 $1000 non-refundable deposit to secure your place.
Any travel costs to the retreat location at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina is the sole responsibility of each participant.
IMPORTANT: Please read our FAQS page on this website for further guidelines and information on respiratory illness, the arrangements we have in place in the unlikely event the retreat is cancelled due to respiratory illness 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 questions, please feel free to email us at contact@souliology.com.
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 but it is not essential and there is no obligation to do so. This book is also available on audio book if you would prefer to listen to it.
For more information, check out her website at
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.
Thursday October 8th - Thursday, October 15th, 2026
Thursday, October 8th
Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday
Monday
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
Lunch
Afternoon Session
Dinner
Thursday, October 15th
Hotel Check-in and Check-out
Day off to do as you please – rest, relax, process, enjoy the small spa or sightsee.
Check-in - 4pm
Check-out - 11am
8am – 9am breakfast.
There is no retreat activity on this day so you are free to depart whenever you are ready after check-out and as early as you need if you have a morning flight.
Your Investment: -
Total Retreat Cost: - Starts from $4,400 per participant based on single room occupancy.
The retreat cost includes the 7-day retreat itself with Susan McConnell, 7 nights private ensuite accommodation and 3 delicious meals a day to include a full breakfast, lunch and a delicious evening meal throughout the retreat schedule. 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 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 (USD) non-refundable and non-transferable deposit – (Due on acceptance onto the retreat).
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Payment 2: $1,500 (USD) per person due by Friday the 17th April, 2026. (This amount will be refundable until the 17th July, 2026 should you decide to cancel.
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Payment 3: The remaining balance depending on your room and occupancy type must be paid by the 17th July, 2026.
Please note: There is no refund of fees over and above your non-refundable deposit for withdrawal for any reason after the 17th of July 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 who will also be attending the retreat and you wish to share accommodation, we offer a $500 reduction off the combined total cost of your attendance bringing the total cost to $8,300 or $4,150 each. Please ensure to indicate your preference 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 (USD). Please ensure to indicate your preference 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 (USD) per person late fee for payments received after the 17th of April, 2026 and the 17th of July, 2026.
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An additional $50 (USD) 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.
