Polyvagal Workshop Retreat: Immersive Safe & Sound Protocol Experience

Leave feeling uplifted, resourced, and empowered

Expand your capacity to support clients for lasting change from the inside out.

Feel inspired by how you can creatively support clients with Polyvagal-informed therapies, including the Safe & Sound/Rest & Restore Protocols

Learning becomes embodied through experience.

Polyvagal Worshop Retreat: Immersive SSP/RRP Experience

Come learn, renew, and connect with our 2-day Polyvagal SSP Immersive Workshop Retreat for Practitioners. (SSP trained and untrained welcome)

Unique SSP experience in nature, equines and Scottish Highland coos:)

Limited spaces are available to keep the experience intimate and personal, so register early to secure your spot.

Topics include:

Neurobiology of homeostasis

Relational resonance

Somatic practices- developmental movements & healing

Respiratory vagal neural exercises to improve the vagal healing system.

When: February 27-28, 2027. Location: The beautiful green rolling hills of BURRA BRAE HIGHLANDS, in Korumburra, Gippsland, Vic. 

Includes: Morning/afternoon tea and lunch each day

Guided SSP group listening experience.

Accommodation: On-property options include

  1. BURRA BRAE TINY HOUSE RETREAT

  2. HORSE CARRIAGE STAY

Contact for pricing.

There are a variety of local hotels or Airbnb available. Loch is a quaint town only 10 min away, and Inverloch is at the beach 30 min away.


​​Polyvagal Theory emphasises that face-to-face connection is a powerful, essential ingredient for deep attunement, learning, creative collaboration, and personal and professional growth. Our workshop retreat provides the safety and connection to grow and learn together.​

Embody Polyvagal Theory

Learn practical Polyvagal-Informed exercises & SSP implementation

Being in nature has been shown to optimise our nervous system for well being and learning. Our workshop retreat focuses on experiential learning in a safe, inclusive space. We will have time to share stories, connect, practice, play and learn.

Group discussions about supporting clients with Neurodiversity, FND, Trauma, Children & Families, and Chronic Health Conditions.

Short presentations about Relational Resonance, Homeostasis and regulation, Somatic & Developmental Movement practices, and Respiratory Vagal Neural exercises.

Safe & Sound Retreat

Explore the SSP in natural surrounds

Experience the SSP like never before. Surrounded by nature, group connection, and equine-facilitated & Scottish Highland Coo experiences. Practitioners have reported experiencing the most significant shifts from completing the SSP during group listening sessions.

Leave inspired to think creatively about how you support clients with the SSP or RRP.

The SSP resources the vagal system to foster deeper relational resonance with self and others. Expand your neuroception for "Sensing in" and being "With" as essential SSP elements for holding space.

You will learn:

  • SSP Extended Protocol.

  • Should I start with the SSP or RRP?

  • What is the RRP, and how is it different from the SSP?

  • Somatic supports for SSP

  • Deeper sense of self

  • The SSP as a source for WELLBEING

Polyvagal Informed Breath work for Capacity building

Dr Porges' early work involved understanding the cardio-vagal system and homeostasis. He developed Heart rate variability (HRV) measures that indirectly assess vagal tone. Learn an introduction to heart rate variability and its application to therapy.

Learn cardiovagal resonance breathwork and a Polyvagal-informed breathwork approach to expand neural flexibility.

Some images & feedback from our 2026 Immersive Retreat

"The Safe and Sound experiences in connection with others, nature & animals felt incredibly nuturing."

Real Participant

"Therapists are always focused on taking care of others this is a wonderful opportunity to put yourself at the centre of that care. To give yourself attunement and support. Highly recommend." "Joanne's approach is soothing and engaging"

Real Participant

"The two-day retreat was a wonderful blend of learning and nature. Jo's knowledge is obviously extensive, and she was able to weave the neuroscience in a way that was relevant and practical, and we could ask for more as needed."

Happy Colleague

"I enjoyed the time to focus on myself, my ability to connect with myself. Having different experiences in different environments, and of course the beautiful horses. I would recommend it to anyone who feels overwhelmed by work or life in general. It was the right balance between experiences and discussions. "

Real Participant

"If you want to experience the SSP, there is no better way surrounded by the hills, horses and nature."

Real Participant

"Retreat for when your own nervous system needs a reset- space to focus on yourself."

We look forward to seeing you.

Early Registration Discount $100 OFF until December 15th. Pay $685 by Bank Transfer. Email verification to joannemcintyre.ms@gmail.com _______________ Account Name: Integrated Listening Australia. BSB: 012997 Acc: 220003545 _____________________ Regular Fee is $785 (GST included)

Aberdeen looks forward to meeting you.