How to Choose and Prepare for an Emotional Healing Retreat
In a world that moves fast and demands much, emotional wellness often takes a backseat. Yet when we carry unresolved stress, grief, or disconnection, our inner world begins to call for attention. Emotional healing retreats offer a sanctuary where you can step away from daily life, reconnect with yourself, and begin to release what no longer serves you.
Whether you are seeking clarity, peace, or deep emotional release, choosing the right healing retreat is a powerful step toward personal transformation. In this guide, you will find practical tips for selecting a retreat, preparing for the experience, and understanding what to expect from the Sacred Sites and Symbols Labyrinth Retreat hosted by Valarie Budayr (Mongata) and Lars Howlett (Discover Labyrinths) in June.
What Is an Emotional Healing Retreat?
An emotional healing retreat is an immersive, intentional experience designed to support your mental and emotional well-being. These retreats go beyond relaxation or spa treatments. They often include modalities such as breathwork, sound healing, somatic movement, and time in nature, all of which help regulate the nervous system and unlock emotional blocks.
What to Look for in a Healing Retreat
Not every healing retreat will be the right fit for your needs. Consider these important elements when making your decision.
Valarie Budayr, Owner, Mongata Healing Center
1. Experienced and Trauma-Informed Facilitators
Choose a retreat led by someone who is skilled in holding space for deep emotional work. Look for credentials and titles you can trust. Valarie, owner of Mongata Healing Center, is a certified sound practitioner, trauma-informed breathwork facilitator, and holistic coach who has helped hundreds of individuals find clarity and calm through these practices.
2. Healing Modalities That Speak to You
Each person responds to different tools and approaches. Sound baths, breathwork, journaling, gentle movement, and guided meditation can all support emotional release. The best retreats offer a combination of modalities to support your full being.
3. Environment That Nourishes You
Setting matters. Healing is more accessible when you are surrounded by natural beauty and peace. Whether in the high desert of New Mexico or along a rugged coastline, the right location helps ground and expand your experience.
4. Group Energy and Retreat Size
Some retreats are small and intimate. Others are more communal and energizing. Trust your instincts about which environment will feel most supportive. There is no one right way to retreat, only what feels right for you.
How to Prepare for a Mental and Emotional Retreat
Once you have chosen your retreat, how you show up matters. A few simple practices can help you get the most out of your experience.
Set an Intention
Give yourself time before the retreat to reflect on what you are seeking. You do not need to know exactly what you want to work on or release, but naming an intention creates clarity and sets the tone for the experience. This might be a phrase, a question, or simply a feeling you want to reconnect with.
Pack Mindfully
Keep your packing simple and intentional. You may want to bring:
Comfortable clothes for movement and rest
A grounding object such as a crystal or token
Layers for time outdoors
An open mind and heart
Avoid bringing distractions or overplanning. Creating space in your bag is part of creating space in your body and mind.
Begin to Unplug
Reduce screen time and external noise in the days leading up to your retreat. Let your nervous system start to settle. Take a few extra moments in stillness, nature, or quiet to begin the shift from everyday mode to healing and restoration mode.
Experience Mongata Healing Center Retreats
At Mongata, we offer experiences that combine spiritual depth, emotional processing, and community connection. While many of our sound baths, classes, and workshops are held at our Santa Fe studio, we also facilitate powerful destination retreats in sacred locations around the world. One example is our Midsummer Retreat, hosted on the enchanted island of Gotland in Sweden.
Midsummer Retreat: A Sacred Journey Through Labyrinths and Symbols
This immersive retreat is co-led by Valarie Budayr of Mongata and Lars Howlett of Discover Labyrinths. Together, they guide participants through a deeply reflective and ceremonial journey using the labyrinth as a tool for transformation.
Over several days, guests visit ancient labyrinths and sacred sites scattered across Gotland. These places carry the stories of the ancient mothers and serve as portals for personal discovery and spiritual connection. The retreat blends ceremony, song, and ritual with exploration of the island’s stunning natural landscapes and cultural history.
While this year’s Midsummer Retreat is coming soon, we have a few spots left! Register before May 16 to experience Gotland, learn about its sacred sites and symbols, and experience a beautiful example of what Mongata co-creates with our partners. This labyrinth experience is not a vacation. It is an invitation to connect with yourself and explore your inner wisdom.
Restoration Begins the Moment You Say Yes
Attending an emotional healing retreat is not an escape. It is a return to your truth, your breath, your body, and your sense of wholeness. The journey begins the moment you say yes to caring for yourself.
Whether you are processing grief, navigating change, or simply seeking a place to rest and reflect, Mongata Healing Center is here to support you. With trauma-informed guidance, gentle practices, and spaces rooted in presence and care, we invite you to begin your journey with us.
Explore Upcoming Retreats and Offerings
Discover our full schedule of events, including sound baths, breathwork sessions, and workshops. We look forward to seeing you at Mongata soon!
