Embodying Authenticity: Assertiveness. Tenderness. Connection

Dates

Thursday, April 16 to Sunday, April 19, 2026
Additional Day (optional): April 15, 2026
(Wednesday dinner to Thursday afternoon check-in)

Location

Essex Woods Meeting & Retreat Center, Essex, MA
https://essexwoods.com

Theme

In this time of intense and often anxiety-provoking divisiveness in our culture, increasing our personal groundedness and capacity for empathetic connection with others becomes all the more important. Connecting authentically – both within ourselves and with others – includes the ability to express our assertiveness clearly and to cultivate our tenderness. We need to both give voice to our personal values, beliefs, and feelings, and also know how and when to contain our expression. At this gathering we aim to strengthen grounding— first within ourselves and then with each other. In supportive community we will deepen personal connections and expand our capacity for making healthy choices in relating to one another.

Process Groups

A significant portion of the time during the conference will be in small “process groups” where participants will have opportunities to discuss the talks and experience bioenergetic therapy sessions. We plan for the process groups to be organized as follows:

• Group for clients of bioenergetic therapy
• Group for mental health professionals newer to bioenergetic analysis
• Advanced group for certified bioenergetic therapists, graduates of bioenergetic training programs, and advanced trainees, led by Louise Fréchette, M.Ps, CBT, and Adela Gorodzinsky, M.ED, R.P.
  Note: Not everyone in this group is guaranteed an individual session with Louise Fréchette.

Conference Includes

• Keynote talks
• Bioenergetic exercise classes
• Workshops related to the conference theme
• Participation in an in-depth process group
• CE credits available
• Overnight accommodations
• Nine delicious meals
• Optional evening activities: fire circle, dancing, skit night
• Use of hot tub, sauna, walking trails

We extend a special invitation to individuals new to bioenergetic therapy.