Paddle & Pause:
Kayak Therapy Retreat
Sunshine Coast, BC | June 6-8 
Slow down. Get on the water. Come back to yourself.
3 Days | 2 Nights - Sechelt Inlet
June 6–8, 2026 (Sat–Mon)
6 participants (Full)
The Paddle & Pause Retreat is a small-group (6 participants), nature-based counselling experience for adults (21+) who are craving space to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with themselves, each other, and the land.
Over three days and two nights camping on the Sunshine Coast’s Sechelt Inlet, you’ll move between guided kayaking, group counselling, and gentle, embodied practices that support nervous system regulation.
Held by two Registered Clinical Counsellors alongside an experienced kayak guide, this weekend makes space for real moments, laughter, tears, grounding, and meaningful connection both on and off the water.
The Experience
Below, you’ll find a fuller picture of the retreat, including what’s offered, who this space is for, and how it all unfolds.
Apply by
April 30th
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Out on the Water
Guided kayaking with a certified kayak guide
Reflection woven into time on the water
Therapeutic Support
Small-group counselling with two Registered Clinical Counsellors
Structured sessions and integration circles
Nervous system regulation and grounding practices
Values-based reflection
Connection & Integration
Daily opening and closing circles
Campfire connection and processing
Meals - Camping Meals & Snacks
Day 1: Lunch and Dinner
Day 2: Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner
Day 3: Breakfast and Lunch
Logistics
Camping equipment rentals available (if needed)
Kayak rentals and safety gear
Kayak guide for safety and instruction
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This experience may be a good fit if you:
Feel overwhelmed, burned out, or disconnected
Are navigating transition, grief, or identity shifts
Are seeking deeper therapeutic work beyond weekly sessions
Learn through movement, reflection, and embodied experience
Feel drawn to nature as part of your healing
Are open to honest, supported exploration in a small group setting
Want time away from screens and the hustle, and feel ready to reconnect with yourself, others, and the land
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Here’s a glimpse of what our time together could look like (subject to change).
Day 1Arrival and orientation
Safety briefing
Opening circle - therapeutic group welcome session/circle
Short paddle
Evening integration circle
Day 2
Morning grounding practice
Longer guided paddle
Paired reflection
Therapeutic group session
Solo time
Campfire processing circle
Day 3
Morning integration practice
Closing paddle
Final therapeutic session
Integration planning and closing circle
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Investment
5 spots: Standard rate – $1,800
1 spot: Community supported rate– $800To support accessibility, one community supported space is available for someone who would benefit from this experience but for whom the full cost would be a barrier.
If this option feels aligned with your current financial circumstances, you’re welcome to indicate your interest on the interest form & during the Meet & Greet call.
All participants will be chosen through the same consultation process, with care for fairness and cohesion, for both the community supported rate and standard rate. If there is significant interest in our community supported rate, we will host a draw once applications are closed.
All invoices will be itemized to reflect counselling hours. Depending on your insurance provider, a portion of the retreat may be eligible for reimbursement under Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) coverage.
The Team
Sonia Stewart - CCC, RCC
Clinical Director & Retreat Facilitator
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I’m Sonia, a Registered Clinical Counsellor and the human behind Seeking Sunrise Therapy & Counselling. I’ll be one of the folks guiding you out on the water, likely laughing, crying, and maybe swearing alongside you as we move through whatever shows up.
I didn’t come to this work in a straight line. My path has been shaped by lived experience and formal training, including navigating anxiety, depression, significant grief, and a late ADHD diagnosis that brought a lot into focus. I know what it’s like to wonder if someone will actually get it, which is why I don’t sit on the sidelines. I’m warm, direct, and willing to get down in the weeds with you while also helping you find a way forward.
My background is rooted in land-based and community work, where I spent years designing and leading programs grounded in connection to land, culture, and community, often alongside Indigenous ways of knowing and approaches like Two-Eyed Seeing.
My practice blends traditional therapeutic approaches with nature-based work, including walk and talk sessions, individual kayak therapy, and animal-assisted therapy with Parker, my very dedicated (and very into cuddles) therapy dog.
This retreat is rooted in reconnecting with our bodies, our lived experiences, and the land through movement, nature, and real, human connection.
You can show up exactly as you are. I’m really looking forward to being out on the water with you.
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I’m equal parts deep-feeler and “let’s laugh about this too.”
Snacks and a cold Diet Coke are absolutely allowed in therapy.
If I’m not in the forest with my dogs or on the water, I’m probably collecting a few bruises on my mountain bike.
I actually have two golden retrievers, Ellie and Parker. Parker is your calm, (kinda) professional co-therapist. Ellie is… the Ferrari version, so she stays off duty.
I sometimes swear like a sailor (professionally and respectfully, of course).
Blank slate therapist? Not here. You’ll probably know what I’m thinking.
I know way too many random animal facts… and I will share them on retreat, so be prepared.
Amanda Lertzman - RCC
Retreat Facilitator
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I’m Amanda, a relational therapist and Registered Clinical Counsellor (RCC) living, connecting, and supporting folks on the Sunshine Coast of British Columbia. It is truly my privilege to be invited into the human experience in its most intimate and vulnerable moments.
The heart of my work honours the mind-body connection and focuses on bridging the gap between our thoughts, feelings, and bodies. Supporting folks through a somatic-attachment framework, I lean into the practice and understanding that so much healing happens in connection. Connection to our bodies, connection to the land around us, and in connection with each other. When we allow ourselves to slow down and be fully present in these spaces, we begin to build a relationship with all parts that make up who we are.
My therapeutic approach is deeply informed by my own journey of physical and emotional healing. Whether it has been navigating my own experience with chronic pain or anxiety, nature has remained my most steady and meaningful resource.
I look forward to meeting you in this space of rest and connection as we slow down, have some laughs (and maybe some tears), and return to the grounded knowing within.
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Born and raised by the beach in Southern California (and firmly believes the Sunshine Coast is the better home of the two).
Swims in the ocean year round – in the sunshine, rain, and even the snow!
Will stay up all night for a meteor shower.
Is always pausing to admire the small details and always has a pair of binoculars around my neck.
Will likely call you over in excitement to look at trees, bugs, rocks, plants, and/or mushrooms.
Is ruled by a small, fluffy guy (cat) named Lumi.
Believes self-care includes watching tv from the bath tub and screaming into the abyss.
Ready to Join? Here’s How:
1
Share Your Interest
Begin by completing the interest form by April 30th. Spots are filled on a rolling basis, so earlier applications have priority.
2
Meet the Hosts
After submitting your form, you’ll receive an email within the week inviting you to book a free 20-minute Meet & Greet call with Sonia & Amanda.
3
Secure Your Spot
If it feels like a good fit on both ends, you’ll complete registration and submit a $450 deposit (25%) to hold your place.
FAQs
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Nope. This retreat is beginner-friendly. You’ll be guided by a certified kayak guide, and we’ll go at a pace that feels manageable for everyone.
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That’s completely normal. You won’t be pushed beyond your comfort zone, and support will be close by at all times.
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This is a therapeutic experience that blends counselling support with nature-based and experiential work. It’s not a replacement for ongoing therapy, but it can be a meaningful complement to it.
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Yes, you’re very welcome here, even if you’re coming from off the Coast! Many participants choose to travel in for the retreat from Vancouver or further away. Just keep in mind that ferry travel and transportation costs are not included.
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We’ll be keeping a close eye on conditions and will adjust plans if needed. Safety always comes first. If we need to cancel due to unsafe weather, you’ll receive a full refund. Otherwise, we’ll be out there rain or shine.
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Of course. You’re welcome to bring your own if you have it. If not, camping equipment is available by request.
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Totally okay. There are buses that run along from Gibsons to Sechelt, and we may be able to coordinate a pickup from there.
If you’re coming from the Vancouver Mainland via ferry, we’ll do our best to help organize carpooling with other participants.
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Invoices will be itemized for counselling hours. Depending on your provider, a portion may be eligible under RCC coverage.
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Totally fair question. Guided 3-day kayak tours on the Coast, without any therapeutic support, are often around $1,400.
This experience includes that level of guided outdoor adventure, along with meals, kayak rental and safety equipment, kayak guide and logistics, as well as small-group counselling, therapeutic activities, grounding practices, and ongoing support from two Registered Clinical Counsellors throughout the retreat.
The full rate also helps support a community-supported, reduced-rate space.
We recognize this is a meaningful and significant investment. One community-supported reduced-rate spot is available to support accessibility, and we hope to expand these offerings in the future through grants and additional funding.
Where possible, counselling hours will be separated on invoices to support potential insurance reimbursement.
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After you fill out the interest form, we’ll connect for a meet & greet call to explore fit and answer any questions. These calls are offered on a rolling basis until April 30th. If it feels like a good fit on both ends, your spot will be confirmed once a 25% deposit is received.
If there is more interest than available spots, care is taken to create a group that feels supportive and well-aligned.
For the community-supported (reduced-rate) spot, we will wait until the interest form closes on April 30th. If there are multiple strong fits, the spot will be offered through a lottery system. A waitlist will also be created if needed.
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Totally fair. You can email me at hello@seekingsunrisetherapy.ca. I’m happy to connect and answer any questions before you fill out the interest form.
