Frequently Asked Questions

About Rekindled Retreats

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  • A Rekindled Retreat is an immersive experience designed to help couples step away from the demands and distractions of everyday life and turn their attention back toward one another.

    Led by experienced relationship and sexual health experts, our retreats create intentional space for couples to reconnect emotionally, deepen intimacy, have meaningful conversations, and rediscover the passion and connection that brought them together.

  • Our retreats are for couples who love each other and want to invest in their relationship.

    You don't have to be in crisis to benefit from a retreat. In fact, many couples come because they want to strengthen an already good relationship, reconnect after becoming disconnected, deepen their intimacy, or simply be more intentional about their relationship.

    Whether you've been together for a few years or many decades, Rekindled Retreats offers an opportunity to slow down, turn toward one another, and create something meaningful together.

  • A vacation can give you time away together. A Rekindled Retreat gives that time intention. Many couples take vacations only to bring the same patterns, distractions, and disconnection with them. We combine the restorative experience of getting away with thoughtfully designed education and guided experiences that help couples intentionally turn toward one another—while still leaving room to relax, enjoy the destination, play, and spend private time together.

  • Rekindled Retreats is not couples therapy and is not a substitute for psychotherapy. Although our multidisciplinary team includes professionals with expertise in mental health, relationships, and sexual health, the retreat is an educational and experiential relationship-enrichment experience. Rather than diagnosing or treating relationship problems, we create opportunities for couples to learn, explore, practice new ways of connecting, and intentionally invest in their relationship.

  • Rekindled Retreats was created by three professionals who bring complementary expertise in relationships, mental health, sexuality, intimacy, and human connection: Dr. Nicole VanNess, Lyndsey Murray, LPC, and Dr. Tanginika Cuascud. Together, we believe relationships deserve more than crisis intervention. They deserve intentional care, attention, pleasure, curiosity, and opportunities to grow.

  • Each retreat lasts for 4 days, being held from Thursday evening through Sunday afternoon.

    This gives couples 4 days away from their normal routines to slow down, reconnect, learn, explore, and intentionally focus on one another.

  • We anticipate approximately 10–14 couples at each retreat.

    This allows for meaningful connection within the group while keeping the experience intimate and personal.

  • Absolutely. Each Rekindled Retreat addresses a different relationship need, so couples may find value in attending multiple experiences over time.

Is This Retreat Right for Us?

  • Rekindled Retreats are for committed couples who want to intentionally invest in their relationship. Some couples come because parenting, careers, stress, caregiving, or routine have created distance. Others have a strong relationship and want to protect and deepen what they already have. You do not have to wait until your relationship is in crisis to choose one another again.

  • No. Rekindled Retreats are for committed couples regardless of marital status.

  • No. Some couples need reconnection; others want deeper intimacy, better communication, more adventure, renewed sexuality, or dedicated time to prioritize one another. The retreat can be an investment in the relationship you have and the relationship you want to continue building.

  • Then a retreat such as Back to Us was created with couples like you in mind. Relationships rarely become disconnected overnight. Parenting, careers, household responsibilities, caregiving, stress, and years of managing life together can gradually push the couple's relationship into the background. Our goal is not to recreate who you were before life changed, but to help you discover how to intentionally choose one another in the life you have now.

  • You can still attend. There is no minimum level of sexual activity required. Couples experience periods of little or no sexual connection for many reasons. You will not be judged, compared with other couples, or expected to meet someone else’s definition of a “normal” sex life.

  • Differences in sexual desire are extremely common in long-term relationships. The retreat is not designed to determine who is right, pressure the lower-desire partner to have more sex, or tell the higher-desire partner that their needs do not matter. We create opportunities for couples to better understand one another, reduce pressure, broaden their understanding of intimacy, and approach connection with greater curiosity and compassion.

  • Partners do not have to arrive with identical levels of excitement. Nervousness, curiosity, hesitation, and different expectations are normal. Both partners do, however, need to willingly choose to participate and be open to the experience.

  • We love romantic surprises. This should not be one of them. Because Rekindled Retreats involve relationship, intimacy, and personal experiences, both partners should understand what the retreat involves and willingly choose to participate. Make the decision to rekindle together.

  • Yes. Rekindled Retreats welcomes couples of diverse sexual orientations and gender identities.

  • Rekindled Retreats recognizes that committed relationships do not all look the same. Because individual retreats may be designed around particular relationship experiences or formats, please review the description of the specific retreat or contact us to discuss whether it is the right fit for your relationship.

  • Rekindled Retreats are designed for partners who can safely and willingly participate together. A retreat may not be appropriate when there is active interpersonal violence or coercion, serious relationship instability, an undisclosed or ongoing affair, active separation, or circumstances requiring individualized clinical treatment or crisis intervention. The application and consultation process helps determine fit.

  • While there are licensed therapists who facilitate our retreats, Rekindled Retreats are not a substitute for couples therapy or individual psychotherapy.

    Rather, our retreats offer an immersive educational and experiential experience focused on connection, intimacy, communication, and relationship enrichment.

    Some couples may choose to continue working with a therapist before or after their retreat, but therapy is not required to attend.

  • Our retreats are designed primarily for couples who are able and willing to engage in the experience together.

    If your relationship is currently experiencing significant instability, active separation, ongoing affairs, serious safety concerns, or other circumstances that may make a retreat inappropriate, we encourage you to speak with a qualified professional before registering.

    If you're unsure whether a retreat is right for you, we're happy to talk with you about your circumstances and help you determine whether it's a good fit.Item description

What happens at the Retreat?

  • Each retreat combines relationship education, guided couple experiences, conversations, activities, and intentional private time.

    Depending on the retreat, couples may explore communication, emotional intimacy, sexuality, affection, play, novelty, desire, connection, or other dimensions of their relationship.

    The exact activities and schedule may vary from retreat to retreat, but the goal remains the same: to help couples reconnect, rediscover, and rekindle.

  • Yes.

    While there will be guided programming and opportunities to connect with other couples, intentional couple time is an important part of the retreat experience.

    We don't want you to spend every moment in a group. You'll have time to process together, relax, enjoy the setting, and simply be with your partner.

  • Our retreats may include other couples, depending on the specific retreat. However, the experience is intentionally designed to keep the focus on each individual couple and their relationship.

    Specific group size and format will be provided for each retreat.

  • No. Education is part of the experience, but Rekindled Retreats are intentionally experiential. We want couples to learn about their relationship and then have opportunities to actually experience one another differently. There is also downtime and private couple time to enjoy the destination and each other.

  • There is a balance. Couples participate in scheduled programming while also having opportunities to process together, relax, explore, play, rest, and simply enjoy being partners. Intentional private couple time is an important part of the retreat.

  • We encourage couples to approach the retreat with openness and curiosity, but participation is grounded in personal choice, consent, and respect for individual boundaries. No participant will be forced to take part in an activity that feels unsafe or inappropriate.

  • Our target is an intimate group of approximately 10–14 couples, allowing for the energy of a shared experience while keeping the retreat personal.

  • Retreats are generally four days, beginning Thursday evening and ending Sunday afternoon. Specific arrival and departure information will be provided for each retreat.

  • Our goal is for couples to leave with more than wonderful memories. Throughout the retreat, couples encounter ideas, conversations, exercises, and experiences they can carry back into everyday life—including new ways of communicating and connecting, practices for protecting couples time, greater awareness of their intimate relationship, and ideas for continuing to choose one another after they return home. We cannot guarantee a particular relationship outcome, but we can create an intentional environment in which discovery, reconnection, and change have room to happen.

  • Retreat-specific follow-up resources may include exercises, reflection tools, recommendations, or other materials designed to help couples continue what they began during the retreat. Any available post-retreat support will be explained as part of the individual retreat offering.

Intimacy, Sex & Privacy

  • Sexuality and intimacy may be part of the conversation depending on the retreat, but participants are never required to disclose intimate details to the group. Our goal is meaningful exploration—not public disclosure.

  • No. There is no sexual performance expectation at Rekindled Retreats. Intimacy can include emotional connection, affection, touch, vulnerability, playfulness, sensuality, eroticism, sexuality, and much more. Every couple determines what intimacy looks like for them.

  • No. Any explicitly sexual touch or sexual activity between partners takes place privately.Description text goes here

  • No. There may be opportunities for group discussion, but each participant determines what they wish to share. Couples will not be required to disclose private details about their relationship or sexuality.

  • Consent matters inside relationships, too. Partners are encouraged to communicate boundaries and participate at a level that feels appropriate for both people. Deeper intimacy is built through curiosity and respect—not pressure.

  • Participants are expected to respect the privacy of other couples. What another couple chooses to share during the retreat should remain within the retreat environment. Photography, social media, and other privacy expectations will be clearly communicated to participants.

Location, Accommodations & Travel

  • Our retreats take place at carefully selected destination locations designed to provide couples with an opportunity to step away from everyday life and fully immerse themselves in the experience.

    Specific location, accommodations, and retreat details will be provided with each retreat offering.

    For our “Back to Us” retreat on April 1-4, 2027, the retreat is located at the Hill Country Herb Garden in Fredericksburg, TX.

  • Rekindled Retreats are designed as luxury experiences. Details about accommodations and amenities will vary by retreat and will be clearly outlined before you register.

  • Keep it simple!

    You'll need to bring your clothing and toiletries along with anything you personally need for your stay.

    All materials and supplies required for retreat activities will be provided.

  • Yes.

    All food and meals during the retreat are included in the $4,500 couple's registration fee.

    If you have dietary restrictions or food allergies, please let us know when you register so we can plan accordingly.

  • Please let us know about dietary restrictions or food allergies during registration. Since meals are included, we will ensure that your dietary needs are accommodated.

  • Transportation to and from the retreat location is not included.

    Couples are responsible for making their own travel arrangements to and from the retreat.

    Once you arrive, everything you need for the retreat itself—including lodging, food, activities, and materials—is included.

Pricing, Application & Registration

  • The retreat is $4,500 per couple, not per person.

    This includes lodging, all meals, retreat programming, activities, and all materials needed throughout the retreat.

    Optional KAP: Couples who choose to add Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) may do so for an additional $1,000 per couple, bringing the total to $5,500 per couple.

  • The $4,500 price is for the couple. That’s the total retreat cost for two people.

  • The retreat is $4,500 per couple—not per person.

    Your registration includes:

    • Lodging for the entire retreat

    • All meals and food during the retreat

    • All retreat programming

    • Materials and supplies needed for activities

    • Anything else needed for the retreat experience

    There are no additional costs for the included retreat activities or meals.

    All you need to bring is your clothing and toiletries—and make arrangements to get yourself to and from the retreat.

  • Yes!

    We want to make it possible for couples to plan ahead and spread out the cost of their retreat.

    Our payment schedule for the upcoming “Back to Us” retreat on April 1 - 4, 2027 is:

    At Registration
    $500 non-refundable deposit

    By November 15
    50% of the remaining balance is due

    By January 31
    The remaining 50% of the balance is due, completing your payment in full.

    For the standard $4,500 retreat, that means:

    • At registration: $500 non-refundable deposit

    • By November 15: $2,000

    • By January 31: $2,000

    • Total: $4,500 per couple

    KAP Payment: The additional $1,000 KAP fee is included in the installment payment schedule and is divided proportionally across the scheduled payments, as scheduled below:

    • At registration: $500 non-refundable deposit

    • By November 15: $2,500

    • By January 31: $2,500

    • Total: $5,500 per couple

  • Yes—and there's a discount for doing so!

    Couples who pay the retreat in full at the time of registration will receive $100 off the total retreat price.

    That means the retreat would be:

    $4,400 per couple when paid in full at registration. (or $5,400 per couple who decide to participate in KAP).

  • If you register after an installment deadline, the payments that would have already been due must be paid at the time of registration.

    For example, for our “Back to Us” retreat on April 1 - 4, 2027, if you register on November 16, you would need to pay:

    • $500 non-refundable deposit

    • $2,000 installment that was due November 15 (or $2,500 for KAP participants)

    Your remaining $2,000 (or $2,500 for KAP participants) balance would then be due by January 31.

    This ensures that all couples remain current with the retreat's payment schedule regardless of when they register.

  • Because this is more than a hotel reservation. We want couples to understand the experience, willingly participate, and be appropriate for the particular retreat. The consultation also gives couples an opportunity to ask questions before making their commitment.

  • After submitting your application and participating in a 20 minute consultation call, our team will determine if you are eligible for our retreat. If you are, we will send you a retreat agreement and invoice for the deposit.

    A $500 non-refundable deposit per couple is required to reserve your spot at a retreat after you are approved to attend.

    The remaining balance will be due according to the payment schedule provided at registration.

  • The consultation call will last for 20 minutes after your application is received.

    A member of our team will contact you to schedule the consultation call after you submit your application.

  • Absolutely.

    We know that investing in your relationship—and committing several days to an experience like this—is a meaningful decision.

    If you have questions about the retreat, the experience, whether it's right for your relationship, or anything else, please reach out. We'd be happy to connect with you.

    We also require a 20 minute consultation call as part of our registration process, so you will have plenty of time speak to our professional team and to ask any questions.

Cancelations & Changes

  • Because retreat spaces, lodging, food, and other arrangements must be secured in advance, cancellations are subject to the following refund policy:

    Cancellation Date for our upcoming retreat “Back to Us” April 1 - 4, 2027:

    On or before October 31: Full refund of amounts paid, minus the $500 non-refundable deposit

    November 1 – December 31: 50% refund of funds paid, minus the $500 non-refundable deposit

    January 1 – January 31: 25% refund of funds paid, minus the $500 non-refundable deposit

    February 1 or later: No refund

    The $500 deposit is non-refundable regardless of when the cancellation occurs.

  • Your deposit allows us to reserve your couple's place and begin securing the lodging, food, materials, and other resources necessary to create the retreat experience.

    Because these arrangements are made well in advance, the deposit is non-refundable.

  • Cancellations made after the final deadline are not eligible for a refund.

    We encourage you to review the cancellation policy carefully before registering.

  • Any refund will be calculated according to the cancellation schedule above and will apply to eligible funds paid, with the $500 deposit remaining non-refundable.

  • Couples are responsible for keeping their payments current according to the installment schedule. Invoices will be sent out at each deadline.

    If a payment deadline is missed, you risk your reservation being canceled. Please contact us as soon as possible so we can discuss the situation and determine next steps.

  • This would depend on the circumstances and date of cancellation. Please contact us if you want to explore that option.

  • Please contact us if your circumstances change and you are no longer able to attend. Any registration transfer or substitution would be subject to approval and availability.

  • Any organizer-initiated cancellation, rescheduling, or material-change terms should be stated clearly in the retreat agreement, including how payments will be handled. This policy is retreat-specific because venue contracts and circumstances may differ. Should the organizers need to cancel or change any of the retreats, please refer to the specific retreat agreement that you signed for guidance of what to expect.

KAP & Optional Clinical or Specialty Add-Ons

  • Some retreats will offer the option to participate in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) as an additional component of the retreat experience.

    KAP combines the use of ketamine with psychotherapy in a professionally supported setting.

  • KAP is an optional addition to the retreat and costs an additional $1,000 per couple.

    This means:

    Retreat: $4,500 per couple
    Retreat + KAP: $5,500 per couple

  • No.

    KAP is completely optional. Couples may attend the retreat without participating in KAP.

    Additional information about eligibility, preparation, and what participation involves will be provided to couples who are interested.

  • No. Any clinical, therapeutic, or specialty add-on offered with a retreat is optional and separate from the standard Rekindled Retreat experience.

  • No. Interest in a clinical service does not automatically mean a participant is medically or clinically appropriate. When applicable, participation requires separate screening, informed consent, and eligibility determination by the appropriate licensed or authorized provider.

  • Participation is voluntary. Neither partner should feel pressured to participate. Available options may vary by retreat and by the structure of the particular add-on, so couples should discuss their circumstances with the team.

  • Pricing should be listed on the individual retreat page whenever an optional service is offered. Keeping add-on pricing retreat-specific prevents the general FAQ from becoming outdated.

Get in touch with the experts who facilitate our retreats.

Ask us any questions here, and we will respond within 24 hours with all the answers and instructions of how to sign up for our retreats.