Come to this heart-centered retreat for adoptees!
You are warmly invited to an intimate, soul-nourishing retreat over three and a half days in the serene beauty of the Colorado Rockies. This retreat is intentionally kept small — only 12 spots — so that each person can be truly seen, heard, and held in community. Designed specifically for adoptees who are ready to engage in deep work that transforms your inner and outer worlds, and enhanced by the healing benefits of nature, you'll explore the power of Internal Family Systems (IFS) to connect with all the precious parts of you.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Internal Family Systems (IFS) Sessions
Guided workshops will help you identify and work with different parts of yourself. These sessions will help you transform core beliefs that shape your identity and relationships, uncover within you hidden gems that have remained untouched by the traumas of relinquishment and adoption, and heal long-held wounds.
Sacred
Space
You will co-create a sacred circle with fellow adoptees. Together, we will build a parts altar, witness one another's stories, and hold a grief ceremony to honor all that was lost—both the known and the unknown—through relinquishment and adoption.
Healing
Waters
Between deep inner-work sessions, you’ll have the opportunity to soak in the non-sulfurous, odorless hot springs, allowing the natural minerals to release stored trauma from your body and restore your sense of inner peace.
Spa
Treatments
Claim your birthright to self-care. Pamper yourself with additional soothing massages and treatments that nourish both body and mind, helping to integrate the insights gained from your inner work.
Relaxation and
Rejuvenation
Enjoy downtime in the peaceful resort setting. Reflect, journal, or simply be present, allowing yourself the space to integrate your experiences in a supportive and serene environment.
Outdoor
Activities
Engage your body in fitness classes in the hot springs or with complimentary mountain or fat bikes, cross country skis or snowshoes, or tennis rackets and courts, all included with your room.
WHY THIS RETREAT
Being an adoptee can be exhausting.
But discovering the parts of yourself that weren’t affected by the traumas of relinquishment and adoption is a profoundly liberating experience. It’s like reconnecting with the you(s) you thought you’d lost but have always been there, waiting for your return. IFS provides a powerful map to navigate the wilderness of relinquishment and adoption, helping you return to the starting point of wholeness you’ve always known was there, even if you haven’t yet reached it.
In this retreat, you’ll not only do the deep inner work, but nature itself will support your healing, offering a grounding energy that amplifies your journey.
To honor the depth and vulnerability of this work, we keep our circle small. Only 12 spots are available. Reserve yours before they're gone.
WHY YOU SHOULD BE HERE
By the end of the week, you'll leave with:
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A greater sense of calm, clarity and self-awareness
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A better understanding of your parts and how to relate to them in a compassionate way
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Increased internal harmony and connection
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New relationships with like-minded individuals who share your experiences
Don't miss this opportunity to nurture your mind, body, and spirit in one of the most restorative settings imaginable.
HOW DO I KNOW IF THIS RETREAT IS FOR ME?
This retreat is for you if you feel ready to do deep inner work in the presence of others. While knowledge of IFS (Internal Family Systems) is helpful and recommended, it’s not required. What is essential is a willingness to hold space for others’ healing, to witness their journey, and to commit to your own process with openness and courage.
If you’re ready to turn toward your worries, fears, sadness and grief—and the unlimited potential that lies within them—this retreat is for you.
It’s also a great fit if you’re ready to strengthen your relationship with your parts, build internal secure attachment, and share in the healing process alongside others who are walking a similar path.
If you’re still unsure whether this retreat is right for you, feel free to reach out to Kathy at kathy@adopteetherapy.com to schedule a 15-minute phone call to discuss.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
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Three and a half days of teachings and group and individual activities and discussions led by two IFS therapists
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Private group grief ritual in the hot springs
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Dinner the first evening of the retreat and lunch all 3 days
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Complimentary gear rentals with your lodging
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Unlimited mountain beauty and air
RETREAT DETAILS
Not All Parts Get Adopted
Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort, Nathrop, Colorado
October 6 - 9, 2026
IMPORTANT: Your registration does NOT include your room. Scroll down to learn about our special room rates at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort or other hotel options for the retreat.
YOUR RETREAT GUIDE
Kathy Mackechney, LCSW
Kathy is an adoptee and a therapist who specializes in working with other individuals who were relinquished and adopted. Kathy’s journey with Internal Family Systems (IFS) began more than a decade ago to lead her to become a certified IFS therapist and approved consultant.
Several years ago, Kathy realized that not all parts get adopted and become adoptees, which led her to offer workshops focused on this theme. Through her work, Kathy continually witnesses the profound healing that comes from being Self-led and building secure attachments, both internally and externally.
Kathy is passionate about using IFS to bring adoptees together in community. She spends a lot of time thinking about ways to integrate this model into the creation of meaningful rituals that honor the adoptee experience, and she deeply believes in the power of IFS as a transformative tool for healing and connection.
Kathy continues to heal from having been separated from her maternal and paternal families, and she is just beginning to explore the meanings of her ancestral roots in England, France and Poland. She feels most at home in the Colorado mountains—especially on a ski day followed by a relaxing soak in a hot spring.
YOUR RETREAT CO-FACILITATOR
Ridghaus, LPC Associate
Ridghaus is a late-discovery adoptee, a trained Level 3 IFS practitioner, and an advocate for healing through grief, psychedelics, and identity exploration. Specializing in work with NPEs (Not Parent Expected), late discovery adoptees (LDAs), and adoptees, Ridghaus combines personal experience with professional training to offer deep, transformative support.
A resident of rural Pacific Northwest, they retired as a media professor to pursue a more introspective path, which now includes film photography, coaching writers, and engaging in other healing practices.
Currently exploring their genetic Irish roots and embracing earth-centered Druidic spirituality, Ridghaus is dedicated to helping others find their authentic voice and personal direction. An amateur mycophile, they are often found foraging the deep woods with a Yashica Mat-124 G camera in hand, or strolling along beaches with the cuffs of their white flannel trousers rolled.
THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT BOOKING YOUR ROOM
To reserve your room at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort, call 719.395.2447, give them the name and dates of the retreat, and mention the code ADOP26 to receive discounted rates.
Your room includes access to all 8 of the resort’s hot springs pools, a sauna, steam room and cold plunge pool. You’ll also receive discounted spa treatments and complimentary access to bikes, skis and snowshoes.
Nearby activities include hiking, fly fishing, horseback riding, and mountain biking, making it easy to extend your stay and explore the area. Be sure to book your room before September 26 to take advantage of the discount. The retreat will begin the evening of Tuesday, October 6, and conclude the evening of Friday, October 9.
Please note: Unless you are staying in one of the Hillside rooms, you will need to walk a short distance uphill to reach the retreat meeting room.
SAMPLE ITINERARY
9:30-10: Morning meditation
10-10:45: IFS group exercise and discussion
10:45-11: Break
11-12: Parts mapping exercise, with movement
12-1: Lunch
1-1:15: Meditation
1:15-2:45: IFS sculpt
2:45-3: Break
3-4: Creative expression, group sharing, overview of next day, closing meditation
RECOMMENDATIONS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR RETREAT EXPERIENCE
Arrive Early: We highly recommend arriving a day or two early to acclimate to the altitude and allow yourself time to settle in and relax before the retreat begins.
Stay On-Site: Enjoy all the resort amenities, including unlimited access to the hot springs, complimentary equipment rentals, discounted spa treatments, and on-site dining. Use code ADOP26 to secure the reduced group rate. Please note, the group room hold expires on September 26.
Immerse in the Experience: Plan to fully immerse yourself in both the healing work and the relaxation opportunities. Taking advantage of all aspects of the retreat will enhance your journey and overall experience.
Avoid alcohol: Refraining from alcohol during the retreat will support your deep inner work, allowing you to get the most out of your experience.
NEARBY TOWNS AND THINGS TO DO
The mountain town of Buena Vista is just a 15-minute drive away, and the charming, slightly larger town of Salida is a 25-minute drive.
Both towns offer a variety of local restaurants and shops, supermarkets and small grocers like The Lettucehead Food Co. in Buena Vista and Natural Grocers in Salida.
A few Buena Vista Dining options include these,
as well as others:
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Buena Viking (burgers) - buenaviking.com
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Crave BV (Italian) - cravebv.com
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Scratch Taqueria Food Truck (Mexican) - scratchkitchenbv.com
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Simple Eatery (mix of options, including appetizers, salads, soups, entrees and burgers/paninis) - spoon-it-up.com
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SorelleDelicatessen (Italian deli) - sorelledelicatessen.com
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Spark Provisions (made-from-scratch appetizers, salads and entrees) - sparkprovisions.com
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Surf Hotel (higher-end restaurant with appetizers, salads and small and large plates) - surfhotel.com
OTHER NEARBY HOT SPRINGS
The hot springs at Mt. Princeton feel amazing, but if you’d like to explore more nearby options, there are several, each offering a unique vibe:
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Cottonwood Hot Springs, cottonwoodhs.com - A laid-back, peaceful vibe with mineral-rich pools with built-in rock benches and one in-pool rock “lounge chair,” as well as bodywork sessions and overnight accommodations.
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Valley View Hot Springs, olt.org/valley-view-hot-springs-guidelines - About an hour away, this clothing-optional spot offers day passes (purchase in advance), bodywork sessions, and overnight accommodations.
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For a full list of all the spots in this hot spring-rich area of the Colorado Rockies, visit https://www.uncovercolorado.com/hot-springs-near-buena-vista-co/.
HOW TO GET THERE
Fly into Denver International Airport.
From there, you’ll rent a car for the 2-hour and 40-minute scenic drive through the stunning Rocky Mountains to Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort, which sits nestled at the base of the majestic Collegiate Peaks.
WHEN TO ARRIVE
We recommend arriving a day or two early to allow your body time to adjust to the altitude. Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort is located at 8,250 feet, about 3,000 feet higher than Denver, so it’s important to give yourself time to acclimate. Many guests need at least a day to adjust to the reduced oxygen, which can cause symptoms like headaches and nausea. We suggest resting, hydrating well with water, and avoiding alcohol and caffeine to help ease this transition. The retreat begins the evening of Tuesday, October 6.
OTHER NEARBY ACCOMMODATIONS
If you prefer to stay off-site, here are a few nearby lodging options.
However, please note that if you stay off-site, you’ll need to pay the day rate to access the hot springs at Mt. Princeton:
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Even Keel BV - evenkeelbv.com
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Lakeside Motel -lakesidebv.com
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Surf Hotel - www.surfhotel.com.
Join us at Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort for deep healing and transformation.
Better yet, turn your retreat into a vacation and extend your stay to enjoy mountain adventures like hiking or mountain biking the extensive network of nearby trails, shopping in charming mountain towns, more soaking in the springs, and additional bodywork.