Whether you’ve been in traditional therapy for years or you’ve just begun your mental health journey, these retreats will deepen your understanding of yourself and teach you life-changing tools, all while surrounded by the beauty and tranquility of some of our favorite spas.
Best for: Trauma and Grief
Golden Door: San Marcos, CA
“We recognize that mental health is the cornerstone of overall well-being,” says Kathy Van Ness, COO and general manager at Golden Door. “We empower our guests to lead fulfilling lives, fostering inner peace, resilience and a profound sense of balance.” With its roots in the spa space, Golden Door boasts a bevy of holistic healing, such as energy healing, nature walks, art therapy, life coaches and more. It also offers clinically studied therapy options, including Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), which is considered one of the most effective techniques for resolving trauma and grief.
Best for: Emotional Wellness
Ananda in the Himalayas: Himalayas, India
Here, “the positive outcomes of emotional therapy and mental health work are multiplied when supported by traditional Ayurvedic medicine and other ancient healing traditions,” says Geetika Sharma, director of wellness strategy at Ananda. The process of self-understanding and self-exploration can be done using a combination of tools and techniques, including psychology, hypnotherapy, regression, neuro-linguistic programming, energy healing and spirituality.
Ananda is a safe space to unravel “unexplained pains, aches, nightmares, inability to maintain weight, lingering insomnia, deep-seated anger, chronic stress management, past or childhood traumas, grief and low self-esteem,” adds Sharma. Holistic healing experts, therapists, counselors and coaches are on-site to help support guests’ emotional and mental healing.
Best for: Stateside De-Stressing
Miraval Resorts: Berkshires, MA; Austin, TX; Tucson, AZ
“Each Miraval Resort offers an expansive menu of transformative experiences dedicated to mental well-being,” says Simon Marxer, vice president of spa and well-being at Hyatt and Miraval Resorts. Offerings include private counseling sessions, equine therapy, mindfulness meditation and more. “Our specialists support our guests in discovering what holistic well-being means for them,” Marxer adds. Experiences at Miraval are meant to promote “long-term journeys of self-discovery and the pursuit of mental, physical and spiritual well-being beyond the walls of the resort.” With multiple locations, guests can choose their ideal setting to reset.
Best for: A Full Rebalance
SHA Wellness Clinic: Altea Bay, Spain; Costa Mujeres, Mexico
This integrated wellness clinic offers a vast range of mental health services, including psychology, psychiatry and neurocognitive treatments. “These offerings encompass therapies such as neurofeedback, photobiomodulation and transcranial stimulation,” the team says. Visitors can select the track that speaks to them with options that promote better sleep, rebalancing and energizing, or even help to quit smoking. Overall, the Clinic’s mission is to help guests achieve and maintain an optimal state of health, so they can enjoy their full physical, mental and spiritual potential.
Best for: A Holistic Approach
Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary: Ko Samiu, Thailand
“We offer a holistic approach to mental health, recognizing the intricate connection between mind, body, heart and spirit,” explains Karina Stewart, founder and chief wellness officer of Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary. This tropical retreat has a team of life-enhancement mentors to guide “guests through personalized journeys of self-discovery and emotional balance.”
Kamalaya offers a variety of programs, from a Well-Being Sabbatical designed to beat burnout, to a Sleep Enhancement option. Embracing Change and Emotional Harmony is one of the property’s most popular programs, in which experts help “individuals navigate life’s challenges and transitions with resilience and mindfulness,” says Stewart. “It’s tailored to support each guest’s unique journey toward emotional health and harmony, providing them with tools to maintain balance and well-being beyond their stay with us.”
