Real Love, Real Connection
An intensive 3 day relationship retreat inspired by the Gottman Method and Terry Real’s Relational Life Therapy.
Coming Spring 2026!
Willamette Valley, OR
We’re here to share in what it is to be human. That means it will be imperfect, exploratory, include a range of emotions, ideas, and perceptions, and provide opportunities for learning and growth.
Relationships bring the most meaning and purpose to our lives. Given their value to our mental, physical, and psychological well-being, wise investments of time and energy benefit us, all whom we love, and our world community.
“My great hope is to laugh as much as I cry; to get my work done
and try to love somebody and have the courage to accept the love in return.” ”
the journey
Day one begins with setting our intentions and exploring foundational practices for building connection and relational stability.
Day two we will move into some more challenging aspects of being in relationship and begin opening our hearts to the work of relational recovery.
Day three we’ll put it all together and fine tune the plan for practice as you move back into your day-to-day lives.
Exclusive, small group experience open to only three couples!!
the growth
Over the course of three days we will shift from me consciousness to us consciousness, increase the effectiveness of communication, build the ability to stay connected in times of stress, learn and practice how to repair after a conflict, and solidify the foundations to sustain mental, physical, and spiritual connection.
the experience
Engage in active learning in a variety of formats including: short presentations, pair shares, group discussion, reflection, skills practice & feedback.
Each participant is provided with a custom retreat workbook and additional print and digital materials.
Each day will include time to engage in connection building activities, have some fun and relax.
the venue
The retreat is held at our 5+ acre, forested homestead near Sweet Home, Oregon. There are amazing views and access to the South Santiam River, plenty of outdoor and indoor spaces for conversation, relaxation, and rejuvenation for yourself and your relationship.
(Image is the sunrise view of the river from the main house)
the connection
Opportunities for fun, relaxation, connection and romance are sprinkled in throughout each day.
Seasonal and on-going options include:
River Fun: swim, kayak, stand up paddleboard, float, fish & cold plunge
Romance: Candlelit dinners, picnic lunches, cozy cabin or yurt & campfires
Relaxation: hammocks, forest bathing, hot tub soaks, crafts, meditation labyrinth and naps
The Accommodations
Each couple is provided with a cabin or yurt during the retreat. This space is your overnight lodging and place to get away and recharge throughout the weekend. Click on each picture below to learn more about each space (you will be directed to our Airbnb listings to preview each). The cabins and yurt are first come/first served. Indicate your first, second and third preference when completing the registration form and submitting the deposit.
A note about the accommodations: the retreat center is a rustic venue with glamping cabins. Each cabin is also equipped with a mini fridge, microwave, electric fireplace, water dispenser, Keurig and fan. A shared bath house provides two shower rooms and two toilet/sink rooms and is located a 1 minute walk from the Shabby Chic and Old Growth Forest Cabins. The walk from the Joyful Yurt is about 3 minutes. If you need to stay off site, there is a nice, affordable hotel (Best Western Premiere Boulder Falls) located about 15 minutes away in the town of Lebanon.
THE FACILITATORS
Heather Webster-Henry, MS, LMFT is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, trained in Relational Life Therapy and the Gottman Method with over 10 years experience working with couples.
Tessie Webster-Henry, MS, NBC-HWH, is a wellness coach and works in Mental Health Promotion and Suicide Prevention.
Heather and Tessie are both invested in their own personal relationship recovery. They have been in a committed relationship for nearly 20 years and are deeply devoted to one another and the work of living relationally with joy. They navigated transformational life changes together, raised four children, and are invested in lifelong learning.
Registration is closed for the September 2025.
Join the interest list for the 2026 retreats and receive priority registration.
FAQs:
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The price is $2995 per couple.
This includes three nights’ lodging (Thursday-Saturday nights, Sunday is available for an additional charge), eight meals per person beginning with Friday breakfast through Sunday lunch, snacks, and three days of specially crafted couple’s experiences, training, and support.
The retreat begins Friday morning, yet we encourage couples to arrive Thursday so as to be ready to begin engaging bright and early Friday morning. Check-in time Thursday is 3 PM and check out time Sunday is 3 PM. Sunday night is available for an additional $150, yet meals after lunch on Sunday are not provided.
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It is highly preferred and recommended you commit to the full experience. The retreat will be structured in such a way that the most benefit will be gained by attending and engaging fully for the entirety of the retreat.
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No. This is not couple’s therapy. Many aspects of the information and instruction is based in couples and relational research and will be used in experiential activities. However, the facilitators will indicate when couple’s therapy would be appropriate as those limits of the retreat are approached.
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We are interested in wellness across domains, thus, as much as possible, we will serve organic food, grown locally, with some coming directly from our own homestead. We will refrain from using seed oils and will primarily be serving whole, fresh food. Participants will be sent a food allergy and food preference inventory once they’ve been selected to attend and those will be factored into the menu.
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There is a $250 deposit to secure your spot in the retreat.
Payment in full is due 30 days before the retreat begins.
The $250 deposit is non-refundable, yet may be applied to a future retreat.
Any additional amounts paid prior to the retreat will be fully refunded if canceled more than 30 days prior to the event. Any cancellations 14-29 days prior to the event will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations less than 14 days before the retreat will receive no refund. Emergencies or extenuating situations will be considered at the discretion of the organizers.
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This retreat would NOT be good fit for couples who are experiencing any of the following situations:
Couples who are on the brink of divorce/breakup or engaged in chronic, high conflict
Couples with any significant, current domestic violence
Anyone with an active addiction
Anyone with severe, untreated mental health issues or chronic suicidal ideation
Couples that experienced a recent affair
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Heather is licensed to practice therapy in the state of Oregon. If you are Oregon residents and would like to engage in couple’s therapy, please talk with Heather personally regarding availability.
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Yes, there is wi-fi and cell phone reception is available for most service providers, particularly Verizon.
We highly encourage this retreat be an opportunity to be screen-free and devote full attention to your relationship. This is not required, yet we recommend mindfully considering offering yourself the gift of a reprieve from constant electronic interference and distraction.
To support such a radical choice, we will be offering an emergency number people can call to reach you and a depository for phones/electronics that will be accessible to you, yet not in your personal possession.
We recommend preparing to be offline and screen free by letting your family know in advance the priority and intention you have to honor yourself and your relationship by giving it the mindful space and time to fully devote to the material, practices, and whatever needs to arises in the process.
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No, the property is a rustic venue. Paths are either gravel or wood chips. There is a step up to enter the bath house and some steps down to the firepit area.
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Alcohol and cannabis are legal in the state of Oregon. We request you use substances mindfully and with awareness of other guests and their needs. We also request moderation in that regard and consumption be respectful of the fact that others may have varying degrees of comfort or sobriety with regards to various substances.
Cigarette smoking is not allowed in any indoor spaces, including your private cabin, or within 20 feet of any door. All cigarette butts must be disposed of in an outdoor trash receptacle, not in any building or structure. There will be a designated smoking space indicated in the welcome materials.
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We understand the bond humans have with their animals, yet for this retreat we ask only service animals attend.
Need more information? Contact Heather