Whether you’ve been doing traditional therapy for years or are just beginning your journey to mental health, these retreats will deepen your self-knowledge and give you life-changing tools, all while surrounded by the beauty and tranquility of some of our favorite spas.
TAN VEER BADAL
Best for: Trauma and grief
Golden Door: San Marcos, CA
““We recognize that mental health is the cornerstone of overall wellness,” says Kathy Van Ness, COO and General Manager at Golden Door. “We empower our guests to live fulfilling lives, fostering inner peace, resilience and a deep sense of balance.” With its roots in the spa space, Golden Door boasts an array of holistic healing services, including energy healing, nature walks, art therapy, life coaching and more. It also offers clinically studied therapy options, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), considered one of the most effective techniques for resolving trauma and grief.
ANANDA IN THE HIMALAYA
Best for: Emotional well-being
Ananda in the Himalayas: Himalayas, India
Here, “the positive outcomes of emotional therapy and mental health work are multiplied when supported by traditional Ayurvedic medicine and other ancient healing traditions,” says Geetika Sharma, director of wellness strategy at Ananda. The process of self-understanding and self-exploration can be accomplished using a combination of tools and techniques, including psychology, hypnotherapy, regression, neuro-linguistic programming, energy healing and spirituality.
Ananda is a safe place to unravel “unexplained aches, pains, nightmares, inability to maintain weight, persistent insomnia, deep-seated anger, chronic stress management, past or childhood trauma, grief and low self-esteem,” Sharma adds. Holistic healing experts, therapists, counselors and coaches are on site to support guests’ emotional and mental healing.
MIRAVAL RESORTS & SPAS
Best for: De-stressing in the United States
Miraval Resorts: Berkshires, MA; Austin, TX; Tucson, AZ
“Each Miraval Resort offers a comprehensive menu of transformative experiences focused on mental well-being,” says Simon Marxer, vice president of spa and wellness for Hyatt and Miraval Resorts. Offerings include private counseling sessions, equine therapy, mindfulness meditation and more. “Our specialists support our guests in discovering what holistic well-being means to them,” Marxer adds. Experiences at Miraval are designed to promote “long-term journeys of self-discovery and the pursuit of mental, physical and spiritual well-being beyond the resort walls.” With multiple locations, guests can choose their ideal setting to reset.
SHA Wellness Clinic
Best for: A complete rebalancing
SHA Wellness Clinic: Altea Bay, Spain; Costa Mujeres, Mexico
This integrated wellness clinic offers a wide range of mental health services, including psychology, psychiatry, and neurocognitive treatments. “These offerings include therapies such as neurofeedback, photobiomodulation, and transcranial stimulation,” the team says. Visitors can select the track that speaks to them, with options that promote better sleep, rebalancing, energizing, or even aiding in smoking cessation. Overall, the clinic’s mission is to help guests achieve and maintain an optimal state of health so they can enjoy their full physical, mental, and spiritual potential.
KAMALAYA KOH SAMUI
Best for: A holistic approach
Kamalaya Wellness Shrine: Ko Samiu, Thailand
“We offer a holistic approach to mental health, recognizing the intricate connection between mind, body, heart and spirit,” explains Karina Stewart, founder and Chief Wellness Officer of Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary. The tropical retreat employs a team of life-enhancing mentors to “guide guests on personalized journeys of self-discovery and emotional balance.”
Kamalaya offers a variety of programs, from a Well-Being Sabbatical designed to beat burnout to a Sleep Enhancement option. Embracing Change and Emotional Harmony is one of the property’s most popular programs, in which experts “help individuals navigate life’s challenges and transitions with resilience and mindfulness,” says Stewart. “It’s tailored to each guest’s unique journey toward emotional health and harmony, and provides them with tools to maintain balance and well-being after their stay with us.”
