Neurodivergent by Nature: A Lush Getaway in Ireland
April 26-May 1, 2026
Give Yourself the Space to Breathe Again
Join us for 5 nights and 6 days in the quiet beauty of Ireland’s Glendalough Valley, where the pace is slower, the air is fresh, and nothing is expected of you that you haven’t chosen. You’ll be surrounded by ancient forests, soft mossy paths, and gentle hills. The retreat space is cozy and thoughtfully designed: with sensory-friendly corners, optional movement practices, warm lighting, and grounding rituals woven throughout.
A Soulful Getaway Meets Summer Camp Vibes
“There is a different kind of magic that happens when you’re surrounded by people who understand without you having to explain.”
This intimate retreat is a soft landing, a space where your nervous system can finally exhale. A return to your rhythm. A remembering.
Life will move slower here. We’ll gather in a gentle balance of shared connection and spacious solitude. With only 8–10 retreaters, this experience is intentionally designed so that you can be seen, heard, and held just as you are.
You’ll root into the land, move at your own pace, and reconnect with the natural intelligence of your body, mind, and spirit. From playful group sessions to quiet moments of rest, this retreat honors both your sensitivity and your aliveness. Throughout the week, we’ll stretch gently beyond our comfort zones and witness each other’s growth in real time. We’ll laugh, reflect, dance, and maybe cry, and we’ll hold space for it all.
Together, we’ll explore how to take care of Y O U through mini workshops, mindful games, and time spent in nature that will spark laughter and release. You’ll reconnect with yourself, tap into what really matters.
This is not about fixing, it’s about feeling, freeing, and remembering you were never broken. When it’s time to part, you won’t just leave with beautiful memories, you’ll carry a deeper trust in yourself, new friendships grounded in truth, and a nervous system that finally knows what it feels like to belong. You’ll come home with tools for feeling more grounded in your day-to-day life, and maybe even a few new rituals or routines that actually feel doable.
Offerings
We have several curated experiences for you to immerse yourself in.
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Expect two shorter and two longer sessions across the week, designed to meet you exactly where you are. These aren’t about performance, they're about coming home to yourself. All classes are beginner-friendly and sensory-considerate, with props galore: cork blocks, bolsters, blankets, bean bags, mats, and straps. We’ll move slowly, tend to overstretched nervous systems, and open space for breath, regulation, and presence. You do not need to be a “yoga person.” You just need a body and curiosity.
The movement is slow, each movement is linked with breath, and we enter into the postures gradually, moving in and out of each pose first, and then finding a holding position. This preparation and fluid entry into postures protects and nurtures the joints, muscles, and connective tissue.
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Woven into our yoga practices and nature walks, these gentle journeys will help you drop beneath the noise and reconnect with your inner landscape. Guided imagery supports neurodivergent brains by creating a sense of structure while inviting imaginative freedom. Whether anchoring into breath on the mat or calling in clarity beneath a canopy of trees, you’ll be guided toward insight, calm, and sensory integration.
The need for truly intentional mindfulness and somatic (fancy word for body) regulation keeps increasing as we are being pulled away from our internal state of wellbeing.
Guided Visualization engages the imagination to achieve almost any desired state. Words, music, silence and/or sound effects may be used to create a multi-layered, sensory experience designed for a specific outcome. These include relaxation, sleep, focus, productivity, or pain relief.
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For many of us, traditional movement spaces are overstimulating or full of pressure to perform. This isn’t that. Our ecstatic dance is an invitation, not a spectacle. There are no steps and no expectations. Just music, community, and a space to shake loose whatever has been stuck. It's sensory-aware, stimming-encouraged, and designed to help you feel more like yourself, not less.
Ecstatic dance offers a space free from observers, judgments, posturing, attitudes, conversations, shoes, alcohol, fragrances, and smoke. It’s a place where everyone can feel safe to be spontaneous, explore new movements, and push their boundaries. Here, you dance as if no one is watching, letting your body move without concern for grace or beauty. It’s about losing yourself in the dance, entering a state of pure, mindless flow.
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Morning meanders. Sunset stillness. A chance to step out of urgency and into rhythm. Our nature walks and guided night hike offer moments of awe and groundedness, helping you metabolize the richness of the week through movement and quiet. Whether you crave solitude or silent companionship, these walks offer peace, beauty, and gentle sensory rebalancing.
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Throughout the week, you’ll be invited into 3 playful, hands-on sessions designed to spark creativity and presence. We’re keeping the details a surprise to help loosen the grip of control and allow for the magic of delight. Trust us, it’ll be worth it.
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We’ll close the week in ceremony, honoring Beltane, an ancient Celtic celebration of fertility, fire, and new beginnings. With flames as witness and community as container, we’ll gather to honor the wildness in us all: the messy, beautiful process of being. This is a time to release what no longer serves, to call in what you're ready to embody, and to remember: your inner fire is not a flaw. It’s your guide.
What to Expect Each Day Neurodivergent by Nature
Each day is thoughtfully curated to support both your nervous system and your spirit. You'll be invited into a rhythm of movement, connection, creativity, and spacious rest. Always with options and always at your own pace. Each day includes a mix of light movement, creative workshops, and group connection (think: nervous system-friendly, low-pressure activities that meet you where you’re at). You’ll also have plenty of free time to journal, nap, explore, or do your own thing, because we get how important downtime is.
Throughout the retreat, you’ll experience a blend of:
Creative & Ritual Workshops – neurodivergent life hacks, candle-making, and more
Sensory Healing Practices – yoga, steam baths, cold plunges
Earth-Based Exploration – foraging walks, folklore, and Beltane celebration
Embodied Expression – ecstatic dance, movement, and rest cycles
Deep Integration – circles to reflect, connect, and honor your inner shifts
Every part of the itinerary is optional. You are the expert on your own energy and needs, we’re just here to make it easier to listen.
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Gentle wake-up and optional movement or mindfulness practice
Nourishing breakfast featuring local, organic ingredients
A guided group workshop exploring themes like unmasking, boundaries, sensory care, and inner wisdom
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A shared meal with options for solo or communal dining
Time to rest, journal, or explore
A nature-based or sensory-rich experience (think: foraging, fire rituals, or spa-style offerings)
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A cozy dinner followed by a grounding or celebratory group activity
You might find yourself around a fire, in a sound bath, or dancing under the stars
Quiet wind-down spaces always available for decompression
Who is this retreat for?
You’re craving a deeper, more authentic relationship with yourself, one that honors all your parts, not just the ones others expect.
You’re a curious, sensitive explorer who feels most alive when immersed in beauty, nature, and wonder.
You’re ready to experience pleasure and rest, without needing to earn it.
You long for connection with other neurodivergent individuals who understand your depth, your sensitivity, and your brilliance (all genders welcome)
You want to enjoy nourishing meals in a setting that respects your sensory needs and desires.
You’re ready to reclaim joy, play, and creativity, not as luxuries, but as essential parts of your well-being.
You’re often the one supporting everyone else, and you’re finally ready to give yourself the care and attention you deserve.
You’ve been stuck in cycles of overwhelm and self-sacrifice, and you want to create more space for rest, rhythm, and presence.
You want to feel free. Free to unmask, free to take up space, and free to live life in a way that actually feels good to you.
Who Thrives Here
Neurodivergent adults (ADHD, autistic, AuDHD, gifted, highly sensitive) seeking nervous-system-first support.
Folks navigating complex trauma/CPTSD who want body-based, skills-forward care.
People who value structure + spaciousness, clear consent, and repair-focused facilitation.
You do well with reflective practices (IFS/parts)
Also WelcomeEmotional intensity/abandonment fears, perfectionism/people-pleasing, shame cycles.
Not a Fit Right Now
Active self-harm, current Domestic Violence without safety planning, acute psychosis/mania.
Active psychosis or mania, untreated severe Substance Use Disorder, or immediate safety concerns.
Why Ireland?
Ireland is stunning AND restorative.
From mossy forest paths to rolling hills and sacred wells, this land invites a slower rhythm. A place to unclench. To remember. To return to what matters. Ireland knows something about resilience. About remembering who you are when the world has tried to erase you. About reclaiming beauty, breath, and belonging, on your own terms. The Irish have held onto their culture, land, and spirit through centuries of colonization and silencing. And yet, they’ve continued to sing. To gather. To defend wildness. To celebrate the sacred in the everyday.
We chose Ireland because its lushness is medicine. Because its folklore honors the unseen. Because its history echoes the experience of being neurodivergent in a world that insists you be smaller, simpler, quieter. And because there is something contagious about the Irish refusal to forget who they are.
This retreat is about that same refusal, for you.
To remember.
To reclaim.
To rise.
That’s why we’re doing more than retreating to Ireland. We’re also building a relationship with it. All Unearthing Wellness retreats are about more than getting away. They’re about returning to yourself, and to something older than language.
Our Commitment to Reciprocity
We believe rest can be radical AND relational. That’s why this retreat isn’t just centered on what you’ll receive. It’s also about what we’re giving back. As part of our commitment to philanthropic travel, we’re intentionally inviting retreat participants and community members to support local Irish organizations doing powerful, values-aligned work.
If you feel called to give, we encourage you to donate directly to any of the groups below. These organizations align with the heart of our retreat: community care, land stewardship, and neurodivergent liberation. Your contribution will be evenly split among these trusted groups:
Neurodivergent Ireland – Advocacy and education led by and for neurodivergent people
Irish Seed Savers – Preserving Ireland’s biodiversity and ancestral food heritage
Women’s Aid Ireland – Supporting survivors of domestic violence with safety, resources, and advocacy
We’re committed to healing that doesn’t just feel good, it does good too.
Because when we honor the land and the communities we gather on, we create an experience that’s not just impactful for us, but for the world we return to.
👉🏿 Click here to make a donation
You choose the amount. 100% goes directly to these organizations.
Whether you’re attending the retreat or supporting from afar, this is a chance to participate in healing that’s both personal and collective.
What You’ll Walk Away With
This isn’t one of those retreats that promises to completely transform your life in six days. But you will leave changed in quieter, more sustainable ways. Here’s what you’ll leave with:
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Tools for navigating overstimulation, decision fatigue, and emotional spirals, tailored for how your brain works.
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Learn how to name what you’re feeling, track it in your body, and respond with care instead of collapse. We’ll teach you to be in tune with your mind and body, and how to recognize feelings as they are happening in real time. All vibes are welcome here. We’re not in the business of bypassing emotions. You’ll learn how to accept challenging moments without the negative self-talk.
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Together, we’ll create sensory-friendly rituals and ND-affirming routines that don’t require perfection to work. This isn’t just about bubble baths. We’re talking about learning to be attuned to one's own needs and taking proactive steps to nourish and replenish oneself physically, mentally, and emotionally, ultimately leading to greater resilience, well-being, and overall quality of life.
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Real rest. The kind that softens your nervous system and doesn’t leave you feeling behind for taking it.
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Scripts and somatic tools for getting your needs met, setting limits, and protecting your peace, without guilt while honoring your relationships and how important community care is.
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Gentle movement, nature-based mindfulness, and practices to help you feel more at home in your body, even if you usually live in your head.
You don’t need to become someone new.
You need to remember who you are underneath all the roles, rules, and masking.
You don’t need to be “ready.” You just need to be curious. Let go of the pressure to be palatable or productive. Return to yourself instead."
Accommodations
The Deerstone Eco Hideaway Luxury Eco Cottages
The Deerstone is a 6 acre sustainable luxury resort surrounded by traditional sheep farms, the rolling hills of Wicklow National Park and the Inchavore river. Located an hour away from Dublin city and only a few minutes’ walk away from quaint Laragh village on the outskirts of stunning Glendalough, The Deerstone is the perfect base to explore all that “the garden of Ireland” has to offer.
We have the privilege of being the only guests allowed in all the communal spaces during our retreat. We have taken care of your comfort so that you can feel pampered and nurtured, from the food to the luxury linen and the sublime mattresses – so that nothing distracts you from the inner work you’ve come to do. All rooms are equipped with Luxury Irish Linen, VOYA Organic Toiletries, Bathrobes, Eco flip-flops, and wireless Bluetooth speakers (Wifi is also available)
Private Room
For those craving solitude and spaciousness, a private room offers your own sanctuary for sleep, silence, and integration. You’ll have a king or super king bed (with private bath), in a modern cottage with cozy communal spaces.
Cost: $4,600 (2 rooms left)
Pay as low as $127/month for 36 months
Use Code EARLYBIRD for $300 off until 10/31/2025
Shared Room
Perfect for those who feel regulated in gentle community. You’ll share a king room with another guest (two beds), each with your own closet and bathroom access. We do our best to match folks based on sensory needs and vibe. Feel free to bring a friend as well!
Cost: $4,250 (3 rooms left)
Pay as low as $118/month for 36 months
Use Code EARLYBIRD for $300 off until 10/31/2025
*Payment plans available with Afterpay, Klarna, or Affirm!
What’s Included
5 nights, 6 days in luxurious accommodations in the countryside
Airport Transfer from Dublin Airport (DUB)
Welcome Gifts
Self-care Workbook, Journal, Mental Health Fidgets, etc.
Wellness Workshops
Locally sourced seasonal menu (includes 3 meals a day + snacks)
Daily Guided Movement
Guided Hikes
What’s not included?
Any additional Activities (Excursions, Massages)
Airfare
FAQ’s
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No, Airfare is not included.
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Yes, you will need a Passport if you are not residing within Ireland. We recommend making sure that it will not expire within 6 months of the start of the retreat.
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Klarna and Affirm, are both payment options. Both of these services offer flexible payment plans that allow you to split your purchase into manageable installments, often with no interest depending on the option you select. For those residing outside of the US, that are interested in a payment plan, please reach out to Atsede directly at Atsede@unearthingchoicecounseling.com
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You know what’s great about yoga? It’s not about being the most flexible person in the room; it’s about finding what feels good for you and your body. The yoga classes that will be offered will be accessible for all body types and skill abilities. Yoga isn’t just about physical flexibility, it’s also about mental and emotional balance. It’s all about progress, not perfection which is one of the main themes of this retreat!
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No! Yoga mats will be provided along with blocks and bolsters to fully support your yoga practice. Feel free to bring your own if you would prefer to!
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No, U.S. citizens do not need a visa to visit Ireland for up to 90 days for tourism or business.
However, you must have a U.S. passport that is valid for at least three months beyond your stay.
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This will be an intimate retreat with up to 10 retreaters to make sure everyone can enjoy the group offerings.
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Yes! We would be happy to pair you up with another retreater that is also traveling solo.
Meet Your Host
Trauma Therapist • Retreat Curator • Psychedelic Practitioner-in-Training • Neurodivergent Mystic
Atsede Scarseth (pronounced At-said-uh) is a later-in-life diagnosed neurodivergent (AuDHD, 2e) trauma therapist and Registered Yoga Teacher. Her early life was marked by high-functioning overwhelm, navigating most situations with apparent success while internally wrestling with confusion, anxiety, and disconnection. Undiagnosed neurodivergence layered with complex trauma deeply shaped her sense of self.
Her personal journey toward healing led her to a holistic approach that centers mental, physical, and spiritual wellness. Today, she integrates evidence-based therapeutic modalities with spiritually aligned practices such as yoga, psychedelic work, and intuitive tools to offer experiences that are not only impactful but transformational.
Atsede’s work centers on trauma recovery, personal empowerment, and deepening understanding of both individual and collective experience. She invites people into the “why” that so often goes unspoken, creating spaces where harmful narratives can be unraveled and redefined.
Creating a neurodivergent-specific retreat is especially meaningful to Atsede because it's the kind of space she wished existed when she was trying to make sense of her own brain and body. She knows firsthand how rare and healing it is to feel truly understood without needing to mask or explain. These retreats are crafted with intention, care, and lived experience to help others find a sense of belonging, clarity, and confidence in their unique way of moving through the world.
Her retreats are immersive, liberating experiences that help participants come home to themselves with more authenticity and ease than ever before.
Atsede Scarseth, MA, LPC, CIGT, RYT-200, TCYM (She/Her)
Featured Facilitator
Reiki Master • Business Coach • Psilocybin Facilitator-in-Training • Neurodivergent Witchy Woman
Michelle Sonnenfeld is a multidisciplinary guide, space-holder, and visionary who weaves the sacred with the strategic. As a certified Reiki Master, seasoned business coach, and nearly-licensed psilocybin facilitator, she brings a unique blend of grounded wisdom and intuitive care to her work with neurodivergent women.
A neurodivergent woman herself, Michelle creates spaces where unmasking is not only safe—but sacred. Her work centers on nervous system healing, inner child integration, identity reclamation, and purpose alignment, with a sprinkle of irreverent humor and moon magic.
She is a co-owner and co-founder of Kismet Collective, a holistic wellness space in Tulsa, Oklahoma designed for radical healing, creative expression, and collective liberation. Kismet is a container for community care, where practitioners, visionaries, and seekers come together to rewrite the rules of what support and transformation can look like.
When she’s not facilitating ceremonies or coaching visionary misfits, she’s likely building something with her hands, tending to her cat Zorro, or dreaming up new ways to make healing spaces more inclusive, intentional, and alive.
Michelle Sonnenfeld (She/Her)
“There’s a particular kind of freedom in no longer needing to become someone, just being who you already are."
Testimonials