Esalen Institute is open! However, Highway 1 to the south is closed — please review the current travel advisory.
Learn More.

Learn more.

Due to road closures along Highway 1 to our north and south, Esalen is closed through April 11.
Esalen Institute is open! However, Highway 1 to the south is closed — please review the current travel advisory.
past workshop

Self-Compassion in Inner and Outer Relationships

February 21–25, 2022

with Richard Schwartz

This five-day retreat is open to anyone — currently in a relationship or not — who wants to explore the idea that it is possible and optimal to bring one’s full heart to any important relationship. In a safe and supportive environment, this experience will offer ways to work with the parts of ourselves that stand in the way of giving and receiving love fully.

With the beauty of the Pacific coast to support and nurture your process, you will have the opportunity to explore many aspects of self-compassion in the following ways:

  • Learn about the Internal Family Systems model of psychotherapy and gain skills that make self-exploration engaging and deeply satisfying
  • Address the question, “Who am I in a relationship?”
  • Use tools to understand the nature of relational burdens and let go of old ways of relating
  • Engage in deep personal work that can lead to the development of new beliefs about yourself
  • Support and be supported by others on a similar journey
  • Increase courage to take new risks in connecting

Prepare to open yourself to the possibility of building truly connected relationships.

Richard Schwartz

Richard Schwartz, PhD, is a systemic family therapist and an academic. Dr. Schwartz developed the Internal Family Systems model (IFS) and founded the Center for Self Leadership. A featured speaker for national professional organizations, Dr. Schwartz has published five books and more than 50 articles about IFS.

Full Bio