EVENT SESSIONS
Two+ days filled with opportunities for learning and connection, supporting you to care for your business and yourself
(details subject to change)
Friday, September 20
1 / Starting Your Private Practice: WA Business Formation 101
(Sharon Shadwell)
4:00 - 5:30 PM
Join us a day early to receive step-by-step guidance for starting your mental health business in Washington State.
2 / Networking Happy Hour
5:30 - 7:30 PM
Connect with other mental health small business owners! Beverages and hors d'oeuvres will be provided. Hosted by The Practice NW.
Saturday, September 21
1 / Keynote: Shamyka Sutton, PhD
9:30 - 11:00 AM
Dr. Shamyka Sutton will share insights from her transition from almost two decades of behavioral health leadership for state government into self-employment as a private practitioner. She will offer opportunities to engage in mindfulness practice to ground ourselves in preparation for the retreat.
2 / Wise Self Wander
Alyssa Nelson
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Participants will be guided on a reflective walk through the grounds of the Lodge, incorporating Parts work into intention setting for the remainder of the retreat and the future of our businesses.
3 / Cast Your Characters
Susan Barbeau & Rebekah Jackson
1:30 - 5:00 PM
Inspired by Enneagram and Internal Family Systems, this workshop is a simplified, fun, and unique way to explore different facets of personality. After uncovering the characters within, participants will explore how to engage these characters to help build and sustain their business.
4 / Yin Yoga + Acupuncture
Alyssa Nelson
8:00 - 9:30 PM
An opportunity to gently support your body's ability to process the experiences of the day and prepare for sleep.
Sunday, September 22
1 / Plenary - The Money Wound: A Trauma-informed Approach to Healing Scarcity Mindset
Haylie Castillo
9:00 - 10:30 AM
In this session, we will unpack the ways that our dominant economic culture and systems cause financial trauma and contribute to a scarcity mindset. We will explore the different types of financial trauma and how it can show up in our work as therapists and business owners. Through a trauma-informed lens (no emotional or spiritual bypassing allowed!), you will learn how to debunk the money myths that are at the root of a scarcity mindset, and learn how to view money as a resource to nourish yourself and your community.
2 / Marketing Your Private Practice Nicole Damaris
11:00 AM - 12:30 PM
Learn how to maximize your website and social media presence, among other marketing strategies to support your ability to find and connect with your ideal clients.
3 / Financial Planning for Small Businesses
Christine Buckley
1:30 - 3:00 PM
One of the most important things a small business owner can do is plan their financials. Christine Buckley (Business Impact NW) will guide participants through use of a financial planning workbook to help take the guesswork out of your plans – allowing you to optimize the ability of your business to not only sustain itself but also to thrive, providing for your economic wellbeing.
4 / Behavioral Health Policy Roundtable
Sharon Shadwell
1:30 - 3:00 PM
Join a discussion of current policy barriers to running a thriving mental health private practice in WA and identify advocacy priorities, strategies, and engagement opportunities for the 2025 legislative session.
5 / Integration & Closing Sessions
Abigail Bocanegra,
Alyssa Nelson
3:30 - 5:00 PM
Wrap up your time at the retreat in a final session focused on integration of learning and experiences during the retreat. Participants will have a choice of either a therapeutic art workshop or an outdoor nature-based session.