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GOT QUESTIONS?

November 4-9th, 2024

 

In every relationship, conflict is not just possible; it’s inevitable. But it's not the disagreements that define our relationships; it's how we navigate them.

 

If you find yourselves trapped in cycles of:

  • Raising your voice when you long to be heard,
  • Retreating into silence when you crave connection,
  • Turning away when you need each other most,
  • Criticizing when you long for closeness,
  • Demanding instead of opening up,
  • Threatening when you're looking for security,
  • Demeaning instead of uplifting

...then it's time for a change.

 

From Conflict to Connection is not just a retreat – it's a transformational journey for lesbian couples ready to break the patterns that keep you from genuinely connecting. Over five nights, we will tackle the tough stuff head-on, with our signature no-nonsense approach, combined with deep compassion and the understanding you deserve.

 

Learn to understand your nervous system's role in conflict, the protective measures that backfire, and how to regulate emotions to foster understanding and closeness. This retreat is for those who are serious about turning their relationship struggles into opportunities for growth, intimacy, and lasting connection.

 

Our Story

 

Michele O'Mara has been blazing a trail for lesbian couples since 2005 with her unique relationship-transforming experiences. Her journey began with weekend workshops at her Indianapolis office, where couples discovered relationship-enhancing skills without the extensive time commitment typically associated with couples' counseling.

 

In response to the growing demand for more immersive experiences, Adventures in Love was born. In 2018, Michele and her wife Kristen merged their love for travel with their passion for relationship enrichment, giving birth to Lesbian Adventures in Love. These retreats are designed to offer transformative vacation experiences for lesbian couples, set in intimate, luxury Airbnb accommodations.

 

Adventures in Love Couples Retreats are extraordinary experiences, leaving couples with consistently positive feedback like:

 

"My wife and I feel like we’ve made more progress taking your course than 3 years of couples counseling.

 

Our retreats are not about generic advice or temporary fixes. We offer comprehensive, no-nonsense programs tailored to the specific needs and unique challenges lesbian couples face. With a focus on practical tools and actionable steps, we're here to guide you from conflict to connection. We are committed to helping you transform your relationship dynamics in profound and lasting ways.

 

What couples say about our retreats.

Retreat Location and Space


Anna Maria Island is a barrier island on the Gulf Coast of Florida. This area is known for its stunning, soft, white sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters. We have rooftop views of the ocean (see image below), as well as our own private pool. This home is newly built and can accommodate six couples, each with a private king bedroom and an en suite bathroom of your own.

 

Session Space

Breakfast Gathering

Blue Bedroom 1, Private Bathroom

King Bedroom 2, Private Bathroom

King Bedroom 3, Private Bathroom

King Bedroom 4, Private Bathroom

Kng Bedroom 5, Private Bathroom

King Bedroom 6, Private Bathroom

Stay Informed About Our Events

What You Will Learn

    • How to Communicate Effectively

      Develop fail-proof, effective communication—the cornerstone of any relationship. Our retreat helps couples improve their listening skills, express their needs clearly, and resolve conflicts constructively.

    • How to Differentiate Solvable & Unsolvable Issues

      Distinguish between solvable and perpetual issues, tackle gridlocked problems, and work through conflicts with more clarity, acceptance and allowing.

    • Your Dance of Conflict & How to Reduce Escalation

      Learn about the dynamics that lead to conflict, including the often overlooked role of physiological responses, and discover strategies to prevent escalation.

    • How to Manage Disagreements

      Our retreat provides tools and strategies for effectively managing and resolving conflicts in a healthy way. We focus on understanding different conflicting styles, learning how to deescalate arguments, and finding constructive solutions that respect both partners' perspectives.

    • Skills to Repair after Conflict

      We will address betrayals by helping couples rebuild trust and improve communication, offering insight and tools for repair, forgiveness and healing,  

    • Identify and Improve Your Self-Protective Moves

      Increase your understanding of how you negotiate negative emotions, and learn how your nervous system interacts with your partner's and how to use this information for personal growth.

    Retreat Schedule

    Monday, November 4, 2024

    Monday | November 4, 2024

     

    5:30pm | Check in to room and get settled

     

    6:00pm 

    • Intro's
    • Dinner & Socializing (*included)

    Tuesday, November 5, 2024

    Tuesday | November 5, 2024

     

    8:00am Breakfast (included)

    9:30am - 12:30pm Session 1

    • Introduction to feelings and needs, and self-awareness.

      • Childhood Reflections worksheet

      • Vulnerable Sharing Dialogue

    • Relationship happiness research

    • Understanding the heart of all conflicts

     

    12:30pm - 5:30pm Free Time (Beach time)

     

    5:30pm-7:00 pm Session 2

    • 4 Common Potholes that Lead to Conflict and How to Fix Them

      • Conflict Quiz

    • Escalating negative effects

    • Soft startup

    • Gratitudes

     

    7:00pm Dinner (included)

     

     

     

    Wednesday, November 6, 2024

    Wednesday | November 6, 2024

    8:00am Breakfast (included)

    9:30am - 12:30pm Session

    • Negative interaction loops worksheet

      • Conflict Analysis worksheet

      • Dance of Conflict Dialogue

    • Gridlocked issues and differentiate between solvable and unsolvable problems

      • Gridlocked Inventory of Issues quiz

    12:30 pm-5:00 pm Free Time

     

    5:00pm-6:30pm Session

    • Emotional dysregulation

    • Relationship Distress Scale

    6:30pm - Dinner (included)

    Thursday, November 7, 2024

    Thursday | November 7, 2024

    8:00am Breakfast (included)

    9:30 am - 1:00 pm Session

     

    Repair, Regulation, and Growth

    • My Request Dialogue

    • How to repair, post-conflict

    • Self-regulation and relationship regulation skills

      • Relationship Regulation Assessment

     

    Noon - 5:30pm Free Time

     

    Friday, November 8, 2024

    Friday | November 8, 2024

    8:00am Breakfast (included)

    9:30am - 12:30pm

    • Healthy Cycle of Conflict

      • Repair Dialogue 

    • Closure

    Retreat Session Officially Ends

    Saturday, November 9, 2024

    Saturday | November 9, 2024

    8:00 am - 9:00 am Breakfast (included)

    10:00am - Exit Airbnb

    Getting Registered

    Full Payment (Save $250)

    RETREAT IS FULL

    $3700  (per couple)

    Payment Plan

    RETREAT IS FULL

    $3950  (per couple)

    ________

    $1000 Deposit, then

    14 Monthly Payments of $210.71

     

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What can we expect to gain from this experience?

     

    Specifically, you can expect to:

    • - gain a solid understanding of the importance and role of conflicts
    • - identify the four conflict accelerators and better behaviors to replace them
    • - an accurate understanding of your negative patterns of interaction and how to prevent your natural self-protective instincts from harming your relationship
    • - identify your own dance of conflict and how to change the dance
    • - learn a healthy cycle of conflict
    • - deepen your understanding of your nervous system and how it interacts with your partner's
    • - identify your needs and learn how to effectively communicate them 
    • - learn how to successfully repair negative interactions and other hurts
    • - opportunities to meet and socialize with other lesbian couples
    • - fun adventures with new friends

    What COVID precautions are required?

    While we prefer that retreat participants be vaccinated and boosted, we no longer require this. 

    What is the cancellation policy?

    Cancelation POLICY

    Our Workshop cancelation policy is as follows:

    1. Cancel 90 days prior to the workshop start date; 100% refund minus the $95 cancelation fee and e-commerce fees (3%).
    2. Cancel 60–89 days prior to the workshop start date; 75% refund minus the $95 cancelation fee and e-commerce fees (3%).
    3. Cancel less than 60 days prior to the workshop start date; no refunds.

    No one books a workshop with the intention of canceling it, yet unexpected events do occur, so please consider purchasing travel insurance (see below), especially if you are flying.

    It is your responsibility to read and understand our cancelation policies. Exceptions cannot be made for any reason, including weather, injury/illness, or personal emergencies.

    No refunds or credits for failure to attend, failure to complete the workshop, or for arriving late or leaving early. A breakup does not change anything. You are still encouraged to attend.

    Lesbian Adventures in Love is not responsible for expenses, including but not limited to flights, lodging, meals, and transportation incurred for delays and/or detainments beyond the trip itinerary as a result of circumstances beyond our control, such as an upsurge of COVID-19, war, weather, etc.

    No refunds will be made for any pre-paid excursion or other planned activities that the participant misses or decides not to participate in for any reason.

    TRAVEL and MEDICAL INSURANCE
    We recommend that you purchase your own travel insurance. We encourage you to purchase trip cancelation insurance to cover your trip fees should you or your partner have a medical problem before or during the trip. Trip insurance should also be purchased to cover medical expenses if you have an accident while in the workshop.

    Consider the companies below to assist you in your search for travel insurance:

    https://trawickinternational.com
    https://www.worldnomads.com

    Be sure to quote “cancel for any reason” coverage and inquire about your ability to receive reimbursement for payments made to Adventures in Love. Most travel insurance must be purchased within 14 days of making your reservation.

    Cancelation BY LESBIAN ADVENTURES IN LOVE
    In the unlikely event that the workshop does not reach minimum enrollment, the workshop organizers reserve the right to cancel workshops. In this case, all money paid to Lesbian Adventures in Love Workshops will be refunded. Notification of cancelation for this reason will occur at least 59 days prior to the workshop start date. Lesbian Adventures in Love cannot be held responsible for personal expenses, such as airline tickets, due to itinerary changes or workshop cancelations.

    No compensation will be made when a cancelation arises before or during the trip from circumstances beyond our control (force majeure), such as an upsurge in COVID-19, war, strife, civil disobedience, strikes, terrorist activity, adverse weather conditions, fire, natural disasters, etc., unless or until the workshop organizer is able to recover any workshop related sums. In the event of cancelation arising from circumstances beyond our control, workshop-related sums recovered by the workshop organizer will be distributed equitably to the participants after the workshop organizer deducts all out-of-pocket costs and related expenses.

    DIGITAL IMAGES
    By participating in a workshop, participants acknowledge and agree to digital images of their being and likeness taken by Lesbian Adventures in Love and other participants and that such images may be shared at will online and publicly.

    TRANSPORTATION
    All of your transportation to and from the workshop, as well as during the workshop, is your responsibility. No reimbursement will be provided for transportation expenses you incur in the event the workshop is canceled for any reason.

    RELEASE OF LIABILITY
    Participants acknowledge and accept responsibility for the risk of injury while participating in any activity while at the workshop and waive any rights, claims, and causes of action arising out of participation in any activity while at the workshop.

    Participants acknowledge and promise not to participate in activities unless medically and mentally able.

    Participants accept and assume the risk of contracting COVID-19, a variant of the virus, or any other infectious or other disease that may prevent them from participating in coaching services or any other activities while at the workshop and will not hold Adventures in Love reliable for any illness or disability she may sustain, or for medical costs or care or any other related economic loss incurred as a result of contracting said virus or other infectious disease while at the workshop. Participants also accept that she will not be reimbursed for any fees or costs she has already expended on coaching services or activities while at the workshop if unable to complete or participate in the workshop.

    What airport should we fly into?

    Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport (SRQ)

    The Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport is the closest airport to Anna Maria Island.

    It is a 30-minute drive.

    Do we need a rental car?

    The airport is roughly 30 minutes from the hotel.

    Once you join us for the retreat, there is limited travel involved and you will likely be able to rely on Ubers and Lyfts to get around. We are within walking distance to the beach.

    MICHELE O'MARA, PHD, LCSW

     

    Dr. O’Mara is committed to continually enhancing her expertise with multiple relationship trainings and certifications including: Gottman Method Level 3, Certified Imago Therapist, EFT trained, and Discernment Counseling Certified. In 2014, she earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Sexology, focusing on lesbian sexuality, and remains passionately dedicated to exploring lesbian love and relationships.

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