Carrie Haynes returns from her first fall retreat with reflections on the unseen work that made the experience so beautiful and easeful.
In this episode of The Web: Weaving Psychology and Soul in Circle, Carrie explores the relational preparation that begins long before a retreat — conversations with first-time participants, attunement to returning ones, and quiet listening for what each circle is ready to become.
You'll hear:
Why most retreat leaders skip pre-screening — and what's lost when they do
How early connection shapes safety, depth, and group cohesion
Ways to prepare both new and returning participants
Options for pre-retreat preparation when 1:1 calls aren't feasible
Why this process supports the facilitator's own nervous system
How pre-retreat tending lets the magic of retreat truly unfold
For facilitators wanting to learn Carrie's full pre-retreat process — including her structure, questions, and mentorship on applying it in your own work — visit carriehayneslpc.com/mentorship.
🎧 Listen now and begin preparing your next retreat from the inside out.
Direction: Carrie Haynes
Production: Hayley Lewis
Music:
Song: Embrace
Composer: Sappheiros
Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ZVHXQZAIn9WJXvy6qn9K0
License: Creative Commons (BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com
