The Inner Path of Psychotherapy
Integrating Psychotherapy and Spiritual Wisdom on the Isle of Iona
A Seven Day Residential Retreat for Psychotherapists
14 to 20 March 2026
Facilitator: Gerry Cunningham
Cost: £995 or €1195
Includes full board, single accommodation, and 50 CPD hours
The Invitation
Amid the windswept silence of the Isle of Iona, a place long held sacred by mystics and pilgrims, this immersive seven day retreat invites psychotherapists into the depths of their calling. Humanistic and integrative in spirit and practice, it offers a contemplative space to explore the living edge of clinical depth, spiritual insight, and inner renewal.
The Work
Throughout the week, we will explore the meeting place of psychological understanding and spiritual depth through a rich blend of meditation, somatic movement, creative process, deep listening, and experiential exercises. Participants will engage in practices focused on accurate empathy, attunement, and therapeutic presence.
The Sources of Wisdom
Drawing from the psychological insights of Carl Jung, Viktor Frankl, Carl Rogers, Irvin Yalom, William James, and Ken Wilber, and weaving in contemplative voices such as Thomas Merton, Tara Brach, Ram Dass, Brené Brown, and Joan Halifax, this retreat offers an invitation into sacred inquiry and embodied presence.
The Celtic Thread
Celtic wisdom, with its reverence for landscape, soul friendship, and the unseen world, will accompany us throughout. The poetic and philosophical voice of John O'Donohue invites us into the depth of anam ċara, the soul friend. The visionary writings of John Moriarty lead us into the wild terrain of the inner life, while Esther de Waal draws our attention to sacred rhythm, simplicity, and the blessings hidden in ordinary moments. Together, these Celtic guides help us recover an intimacy with both the self and the world that supports therapeutic presence in its truest form.
The Practice
Through shadow work, somatic inquiry, guided meditation, myth, poetry, group dialogue, and shared silence, we will explore the clinical and contemplative dimensions of therapeutic practice. Whether you are drawn to depth psychology, existential inquiry, transpersonal approaches, or embodied mindfulness, this retreat offers a rare opportunity to cultivate your own wholeness — personally, spiritually, and professionally.
The Journey
Day One
The Call to Wholeness
Integration of Psyche and Spirit
Day Two
Meaning in the Face of Suffering
Dukkha, Choice, and the Search for Meaning
Day Three
The Witness and the Self
Presence, Inner Observation, and Witnessing
Day Four
The Shadow and the Sacred
Embracing the Unseen Within
Day Five
The Soul’s Longing
Desire, Depth, and the Foundations of Attachment
Day Six
Sacred Relationships
Healing in Connection
Day Seven
Mystical States and Everyday Grace
Loving-kindness, Compassion, Empathetic Joy, and Equanimity
Booking and Practical Information
Booking for this retreat is by application. To apply, please request an application form by emailing info@mindfulnessclinic.ie or Tel: 087-7989 301.
A non-fundable booking deposit of €600 is required to secure your place. The balance of €595 is due by 30 November 2025.
This programme includes a one-hour online orientation meeting prior to the retreat.
Upon receipt of your completed application, you will receive a full information pack with practical details, preparation guidelines, and travel recommendations.
The joining point for this retreat is Oban, Scotland, on the morning of Saturday 14 March 2026 (time to be confirmed). From there, the group will travel to the Isle of Iona will be coordinated in alignment with ferry and bus schedules.
Isle of Iona
The Isle of Iona is a place where history, spirituality, and landscape meet in a profound and quiet beauty. Located off the west coast of Scotland, this small island has been a sacred site for centuries, known as the birthplace of Christianity in Scotland after Saint Columba founded a monastic community here in the year 563. Iona became a renowned centre of learning, artistry, and devotion, and it is widely believed that the early pages of the famous Book of Kells were created here by monks in the scriptorium of the abbey. Today, Iona’s ancient abbey ruins, open beaches, and wide skies still carry the stillness and clarity that have drawn pilgrims and seekers for generations. Its rugged land and gentle meadows offer a natural space for reflection. At the heart of the island lies the village of Iona, with its white cottages and simple rhythm of life, offering a spirit of welcome rooted in presence and reverence. In this quiet and contemplative setting, the boundary between the seen and the unseen often feels thin, inviting a deep sense of connection to the sacred.
mindfulnessclinic.ie
