Deb Dana’s Master Class Retreat Series:

Deepening Your Practice

Join us at the serene Medomak Retreat Center, nestled in the heart of Maine's natural beauty, for Deb’s annual Master Class Retreat, "Deepening Your Practice," from September 8 to 12, 2025.

Dive into the Heart of Polyvagal Theory

and Continue Your Exploration of What’s Next in Polyvagal Practice

Immerse yourself in the profound world of Polyvagal Theory through engaging discussions, hands-on demonstrations, experiential exercises, and reflective practices during this advanced-level retreat.

Learn directly from Deb, who will be joined by her dear friend and long-time assistant, Tina Zorger, PsyD., and go beyond the foundational knowledge and practices of PVT—guided clinical work.

This Master Class Retreat offers a chance to explore ‘what’s next’ and delve deeper into applying a Polyvagal-guided perspective in your work with clients while connecting with like-minded peers and colleagues, all set in a tranquil, intimate environment surrounded by the lush forests and pristine lakes of the Medomak Retreat Center in Washington, Maine.

An Invitation from Deb

Dear Friends,

Now in its third year, the Maine Deepening Your Practice retreat has become a much-anticipated annual event. Join fellow clinicians who have completed the Foundations training series or other multi-day training and take the next steps to expanding your understanding of Polyvagal Theory and its transformative power and delve deeper into Polyvagal-guided clinical work and living. I will share the framework I have developed that takes the foundational befriending practices you have all become skilled with and leads to sessions that focus on autonomic reorganization and trauma resolution.

The Master Class will be held September 8-12, 2025, at the Medomak Retreat Center in Washington, ME located about 90 minutes north of Portland.

The retreat begins with your arrival on the afternoon of September 8th. We will gather for a welcome dinner followed by an evening program. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday are full days of demos, discussion, and practice. Friday, we will gather for a final breakfast together before returning to our everyday lives.

A few notes:

  • The retreat is open to anyone who has completed Foundations or another multi-day training and is actively using Polyvagal Theory in their work.

  • Maximum registration is 40 people.

  • The cost of the retreat is $1750 (USD). The price includes the workshop and workshop materials (handouts, access to recorded demos), shared cabin accommodation (two people per cabin), and meals throughout your stay (including a lobster dinner and toasting s’mores over the campfire). Take a look at the Medomak website and get a feel for the environment we will be inhabiting (https://medomakretreatcenter.com). A Maine camp experience at its best!

My dear friend and longtime assistant Tina Zorger, who has helped me first imagine and then create workshops, beginning with the very first Rhythm of Regulation training, will join me, adding her clinical expertise and polyvagal wisdom. I’m hoping you will be drawn to travel to my beautiful state of ME - my soul home - and come together in community.

Sending a glimmer,

Deb

Deb Dana’s Annual Master Class Retreat:

Deepening Your Practice

In-Person Retreat in Washington, ME

Monday, September 8th - Friday, September 12th, 2025

Training plus Accommodations: $1,750.00 (payment plans available)

Space is limited to 40 participants

2025 Retreat Schedule

Times are listed in Eastern Time

Monday, Sept 8th:

2:00pm and onward: Arrival

*6:00pm: Opening Dinner

7:30pm - 9:00pm: Evening Programming


Tuesday Sept 9th, Wednesday Sept 10th & Thursday, Sept 11th:

8:30am: Breakfast

10:00am - 12:30pm:  Morning Programming

12:30pm - 2:30pm: Lunch and Free Time

2:30pm - 5:30pm: Afternoon Programming

*6:00pm: Dinner followed by informal evening activities (campfire, smores, etc.)


Friday, Sept 12th:

8:30am: Breakfast

9:30am: Closing Gathering

10:30am: Departure

*Alternative meal options are available during your stay, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free. We will confirm menu preferences and dietary needs closer to the retreat date.

What’s Included

  • Week-long retreat workshop and workshop materials (handouts, exercises and access to recorded demos)

  • Shared cabin accommodation (two people per cabin)

  • Fresh and delicious chef-prepared meals throughout your stay (breakfast, lunch and dinner)

What Past Participants Have Shared…

  • “I loved the Medomak retreat. Months later it is still a nourishing, orienting resource to me. I loved the balanced schedule which allowed for a relaxed, spacious flow. Immersing, exploring and living polyvagal practices in the beautiful Medomak setting singing with nature, I feel this is the most life nourishing gift. And to top it all off, the food was absolutely delicious! Thank you for this generous gift."

    Jess R.

  • “It is nearly 2 weeks since I returned from the retreat and I am experiencing an amazing sense of bliss that has stayed with me. My nervous system is calm and steady. My practice has been hugely impacted by my ability to immediately bring a practice that is more and more in me and of me as a result of the exercises, the communion with fellow travelers, the practical application with various other ways of being therapeutic. I am filled with sensed memory, images, new behaviors and regulated stories. The opportunity to deepen what I already knew was masterful. Thank you, thank you, thank you."

    Hayley H.

  • “Sign me up for 2025! This was my second year at the Glimmerland Retreat and I will definitely come back to continue honing my PVT skills within a safe and nurturing community. The group was dynamic and easy to learn and practice with and a perfect size as well. I love coming to Camp Medomak for Nervous System Gymnastics Camp [my term] where we can get away from the hustle and bustle, be fed delicious nourishing food, have time to bond with colleagues, all while studying with Deb Dana. What could be better?"

    Miriam L.

  • “The Polyvagal Retreat with Deb and friends is like a warm hug for your soul. Being part of such a beautiful community in an idyllic setting was healing for my nervous system in ways that will carry me through the year. I am so excited to bring my deepened practice back to my community."

    Blair L.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Deb's Master Classes are advanced-level professional trainings and are intended for those who have completed the Foundations training series or other multi-day foundational training with Deb.

    This training is suitable for clinicians, therapists, mental health professionals, social workers, coaches and those in the helping professions.

  • CEs will not be provided for this training. A Certificate of Completion will be provided to participants at the end of the training.

    • Up until the day of the retreat: For cancellations you will receive a refund less a $100 cancellation fee.

    • Once the retreat begins: Credit may be applied to any Rhythm of Regulation course. No refunds will be issued within this time period.

  • Yes!

    The following payment options are available:

    • Pay the full fee of $1750 USD at the time of registration

    • Pay in two equal monthly installments of $875 USD

    • Pay in four equal monthly installments of $437.50

  • If you’re flying, the closest airport is in Portland Maine (PWM) 80 minutes away. Other options are Boston or Manchester New Hampshire; both are just a 3-hour drive from Medomak.

    Medomak does not offer car service, so a car rental or ride sharing is necessary. We will be opening up a community forum for participants to connect with one another and to organize ride sharing.

    If you are driving, the retreat center is 30 minutes from Augusta & Camden, 3 hours from Boston and 7 hours from NYC.

  • We have a very limited number of single accommodations available, reserved for those with medical needs requiring such accommodation.

    If you would like to inquire about a single cabin accommodation, please email us at rorassist@gmail.com.

  • With notice, the retreat center can accommodate vegetarian and vegan diets. Closer to the retreat date, we will confirm your menu preferences, along with any allergies or restrictions you may have that the kitchens need to be aware of.

    All meals have essential components that are gluten free, however, for those with celiac disease, please note that the kitchens cannot guarantee that cross-contamination is completely avoided.

    For those who prefer to eat gluten free, you may wish to bring along personal items to supplement your preferences.

Deb Dana’s Annual Master Class Retreat:

Deepening Your Practice

In-Person Retreat in Washington, ME

Monday, September 8th - Friday, September 12th, 2025

Training plus Accommodations: $1,750.00 (payment plans available)

Space is limited to 40 participants