“Person of The Therapist”
Couples Retreat
October 9-12, 2025
Working Through Differentiation Based Challenges That Crucible® Therapists Face
Dates: October 9-12, 2025 (beginning 4 PM, Oct 9 and concluding at 1 PM, Oct 12)
Location: Berkeley Springs, WV.
Participants: Limited to 6 couples where the therapist-partner has taken the “Person of the Therapist” workshop in either 2023 or 2024
Facilitator: Barbara Fairfield, LCMFT
This retreat is for couples in a committed intimate relationship where the therapist-partner has previously participated in “the Person of the Therapist” workshop. The couple relationship is the natural crucible for the process of differentiation for each partner. This retreat will focus couples on their own relationship in a group experience with other couples facing the many challenges of being partnered. Structured differentiation-based exercises will guide couples in this process. Barbara has developed and led differentiation-based couples’ retreats along with her husband, Don, since the 1980’s. She will be applying lessons learned in doing this work, though Don is unable to assist her due to his hearing impairment.
Cost: $700/couple plus shared meal expenses at the cabin. Two other dinners will be at nearby restaurants at your own expense.
Accommodations: The first 3 couples with paid reservations have the option of a bedroom in the cabin. Additional couples will have to stay at the nearby CoolfontResort or rent a cabin at the Coolfont Mountainside property. Couples could share a cabin.
Meals: Breakfast and lunches at the cabin. Dinner as a group at nearby restaurants. Sharing meals together is part of the group experience.
Transportation: The nearest airports are each about 1 ½ hours by car: Washington Dulles International (IAD) or Baltimore-Washington international (BWI). Participants could coordinate arrivals and departures and share a rental car from either airport.
For more information or to register please contact Barbara Fairfield at barbarafairfield@therapyemail.com
About the presenter:
Barbara Fairfield is a Crucible® therapist who trained with Dr. Schnarch from 1994-2020. Her experience with leading three therapy groups, 2 all-female, one all-male, included yearly retreats for each group and a yearly workshop for the combined groups. It is this experience that informs her offering of this workshop where therapists can explore their own issues relevant to their practice of therapy in a “live-in” experience with fellow colleagues. The cabin is located in the hills of West Virginia surrounded by the forest community. The October weekend should be at or close to peak of Fall colors and mild temperatures. The cabin is comfortable, but not luxurious! This is West Virginia, almost heaven!