Looking for a mental health retreat in a location with warm weather
January 25, 2025 7:23 PM   Subscribe

Is there a mental health retreat some place in the Americas where the weather is currently warm, the staff is qualified and helpful, there is some socialization, and it would help alleviate feelings of isolation and depression?

49M, American. I live in a large cold city, no partner, kids, or pets. Experiencing depression, anxiety, loneliness, and hopeless feelings and have been somewhat intensely the past few years. I have a good job that pays well, but work has been no more than 4hrs/day since covid. I feel like everyone around me is checked out, burnt out, or unavailabile. Current political climate is not helping. I am feeling totally directionless and in need of healing, from many things. I do have a weekly therapist but I still need to get out of the city. The idea of a "vacation" alone right is also depressing.

I would love to go somewhere warm for a week and have 1:1s with qualified people who listen, as well as meeting strangers. I don't want super rigorous exercise, but I want to be somewhat active in terms of simple things like hiking with a group of people and just being connected with people in general, getting some sense of community, nature, peace, and hope. Open to something that feels authentic and not over my head in terms of new age spirituality. Would also prefer a private room.

Given the circumstances, if the place is good, money is not an issue.

Thank you for any suggestions.
posted by deern the headlice to Travel & Transportation (6 answers total) 9 users marked this as a favorite
 
The classic example would probably be Esalen, another option could be Canyon Ranch (sorry for no links, I’m mobile; CR has a number of locations btw, not just California).

I have not been to either, but know folks who have. They can both be a bit new-agey but that depends on the specific program and teacher, it’s not always gems and vibrations so you’d want to pick your time/program carefully to avoid that.

There’s another program whose name I’ve forgotten, but I’ll post again if my friend gets back to me with it.
posted by aramaic at 7:36 PM on January 25


In the same vein as Canyon Ranch would be Miraval, in AZ, and I think two other locations. Very peaceful and relaxing when I was there.
posted by JimN2TAW at 7:46 PM on January 25 [1 favorite]


Miraval is definitely the program I couldn’t remember (above).
posted by aramaic at 7:56 PM on January 25


I just found Amend Wellness via Google.

In my view, it is more centered on more-serious mental health than the options above. It has diagnostic assessments and counseling therapy.

I'm not sure how much it has of the other components you're looking for. It is in Elgin, Texas, outside Austin, and the high is expected to exceed 70 degrees this week. But the rooms are semi-private.
posted by NotLost at 7:59 PM on January 25


Royal way ranch in Lucerne valley California? not *that* warm right now being the desert and all
posted by St. Peepsburg at 11:01 PM on January 25


Also google retreats New Mexico there seem to be a lot of options.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 11:02 PM on January 25


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