“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.”
—John Muir
Befriending The Joy Within:
Somatic Interventions for Trauma Healing
a retreat for mental health professionals
General Details:
Date: Friday 3/28/25-Sunday 3/30/25
Location: The Barn @ Rock N’ Refuge Retreat, McEwen, TN
CEs hours available: 10 CE hours (NBCC ACEP No. 7477)
These hours will include lecture, group discussions, experiential segments, practicing and applying skills, etc.
Cost: $850 for private rooms, $700 or $650 shared room
Cost includes: CEs, lodging, food & drink, & supplies. Flexible payment options are available.
Presenters: Katie Casey, LPC-MHSP-S and Holli Ellis, LPC-MHSP
Additional Information
Location & Lodging: The retreat will be located at The Barn @ Rock N’ Refuge Retreat in McEwen, TN. This barn is perfectly set up with retreats in mind — having a large dining table, multiple gathering spaces, sleeps 10+, and is on acres of land perfect for exploring! You can see pictures of the hiking trails, garden, horse stalls, pond, and more in the gallery below.
Cost: Cost is determined based on your preference for a shared or private bedroom. There are 3 private bedrooms (1 king and 2 queen beds) and multiple shared spaces.
Flexible payment options are available. Contact to learn more!
If you are signing up with someone else and would like to share a private room or shared space together, please contact me
Meals & Snacks: Registration cost covers all meals, snacks, & drinks for the weekend. Upon registration you will be emailed a short survey which will include questions around food allergies & diet needs.
CEs Hours: 10 CE hrs. Abundant Hope Therapy has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7477. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. Abundant Hope Therapy is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. Please see the schedule below to see the parts of the schedule that do and do not qualify for NBCC credit.
Learning Objectives:
Participants will be able to…
Discuss the importance of incorporating somatic-based interventions into trauma therapy
Describe the neurobiological basis of trauma and its impact on the body
Identify evidenced-based clinical interventions that address neurobiological aspects of chronic stress and trauma
List somatic-based coping skills that can be used for chronic stress and trauma
Evaluate the effectiveness of somatic interventions in promoting trauma recovery
Utilize somatic-based knowledge, interventions, and skills in a practical manner in-session with clients
Identify potential client challenges that may arise when incorporating somatic-based skills and interventions
Develop treatment plans that incorporate somatic interventions
Recognize aspects of client experiences of learning and practicing somatic-based skills
Discuss how to implement tools and skills learned in their own life to aid in burnout prevention
About the presenters:
Katie has been in the field for over 10 years. Through various experiences within inpatient, short and long-term residential settings, rehabs, and outpatient settings, Katie has honed her specialties to working with those with PTSD, chronic pain/illness, and other helping professionals. She has extensive expertise in EMDR, mindfulness skills, DBT skills, and other somatic-based interventions. Katie is passionate about helping both clients and professionals connect the body and brain to foster healing.
Holli has lived and worked in the Nashville, TN, area for 10 years. She holds a Master's degree in Counseling and Human Development earned her LPC-MHSP licensure in December 2015. Through Befriending Our Bodies, Holli is committed to helping all individuals ease their nervous systems. Holli is mindful of the oppression faced by BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and people in larger bodies and works to dismantle these barriers. In addition to individual therapy, Holli incorporates yoga, Reiki, and bodywork into her practice.
Specifics including address, directions, arrival times, and other important information will be sent out after registration.
General Schedule
Friday
Arrive & check in
Welcome dinner and Introduction to the weekend*
Led by Katie Casey, LPC-MHSP-S & Holli Ellis, LPC-MHSP
Learning Objectives:
Discuss the importance of incorporating somatic-based interventions into trauma therapy
Content: Teaching and discussion with the aid of handouts
Fire pit with practical training examples*
Led by Holli Ellis, LPC-MHSP
Learning Objectives:
Recognize aspects of client experiences of learning and practicing somatic-based skills
Evaluate the effectiveness of somatic interventions in promoting trauma recovery
Content: Experiential practice of mindfulness exercises via fire pit and eating exercise
Saturday
Movement Practice (optional)
Breakfast: Food’s impact on our body and trauma healing*
Led by: Holli Ellis, LPC-MHSP
Learning Objectives:
Discuss the importance of incorporating somatic-based interventions into trauma therapy
Identify potential client challenges that may arise when incorporating somatic-based skills and interventions
Content: Group discussion to teach concepts and meet learning objectives
Session 1: Trauma’s impact on our body*
Led by Katie Casey, LPC-MHSP-S
Learning Objectives:
Outline the process of neurobiological stress reaction
Describe the neurobiological basis of trauma and its impact on the body
Content: Presentation slides to assist in lecture on topics as well as group discussions
Session 2: Basic practical skills for nervous system regulation*
Led by Holli Ellis, LPC-MHSP
Learning Objectives:
Utilize knowledge, interventions, and skills discussed in a practical manner with clients in session
Content: Experiential practice of how to incorporate knowledge learned in session 1 into sessions with clients
Lunch
Session 3: Somatic-based clinical interventions & coping skills*
Led by Katie Casey, LPC-MHSP-S
Learning Objectives:
Identify evidenced-based clinical interventions that address neurobiological aspects of chronic stress and trauma
List somatic-based coping skills that can be used for chronic stress and trauma
Content: Presentation slides to assist in lecture in addition to case studies, videos to facilitate learning
Saturday cont…
Session 4: Breakout Groups (2 options) *
Option 1: Equine Trail Ride
Led By Holli Ellis, LPC-MHSP
Learning Objectives
Evaluate the effectiveness of somatic interventions in promoting trauma recovery
Recognize aspects of client experiences of learning and practicing somatic-based skills
Identify potential client challenges that may arise when incorporating somatic-based skills and interventions
Content: Experiential practice of mindfulness and somatic awareness via trail ride
Option 2: Mindfulness Practices
Led By: Katie Casey, LPC-MHSP
Learning Objectives:
Evaluate the effectiveness of somatic interventions in promoting trauma recovery
Recognize aspects of client experiences of learning and practicing somatic-based skills
Identify potential client challenges that may arise when incorporating somatic-based skills and interventions
Content: Experiential practice of skills/tools discussed in session 3
Dinner and discussion around application for self (burnout prevention) *
Led By Katie Casey, LPC-MHSP-S and Holli Ellis, LPC-MHSP
Learning Objectives
Discuss how to implement tools and skills learned in their own life to aid in burnout prevention
Content: Teaching and discussion with the aid of handouts on the topics
Evening mindful movement practice (optional)
Sunday
Somatic Nature Walk (optional)
Breakfast
Session 5: Case formulations, treatment planning, discussions*
Led By Katie Casey, LPC-MHSP-S & Holli Ellis, LPC-MHSP
Learning Objectives
Develop treatment plans that incorporate somatic interventions
Identify potential client challenges that may arise when incorporating somatic-based skills and interventions
Utilize somatic-based knowledge, interventions, and skills in a practical manner in-session with clients
Content: Discussion via case studies to use as examples to problem solve various ways to build a treatment plan with tools and skills learned
Check out
Upon registration you will be emailed a short form that will include questions about accommodations, among other questions. Please fill that out completely as that will help Katie and Holli formulate the hands on practice and application to meet everyone’s needs! If you have any questions about accommodations or specific activities, please email with any concerns.
* These are the only times where you have the opportunity to recieve CE credits. All other activities scheduled are not available for NBCC credit.
