Suicide Prevention Training: Words that Save Lives

Location icon
191 Cragsmoor Road, Cragsmoor, NY, USA
Users icon
Up to 20 in group
Date
November 9, 2025

Retreat Highlights

  • Intimate setting with personal access to the teacher
  • Interactive sessions with question and answer periods
  • Shamatha and guided meditations
  • Delicious all-vegetarian meals with locally sourced ingredients
  • Option to extend stay on Personal Retreat
  • Extensive library of dharma books
  • Expansive wooded grounds with beautiful paths, flora and fauna

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

A Program for Mental Health Professionals & Peer Specialists
PROGRAM BY INVITED PRESENTER • IN PERSON AND ONLINE
As more clients express their mental health crisis, we as practitioners absorb more stress. Join Brett Cotter, award winning author and trainer, to learn essential new tools to help you save lives and reverse burnout and empathy fatigue. You will learn techniques for:

In-session self-care to clandestinely release your own stress as it arises
Body language postures to disarm your clients’ defense mechanisms
5 questions to quickly surface the core issue from the depths of the subconscious
Breathwork to effectively release your clients emotional tension
Co-regulation exercises so your sessions end with inner-peace for both parties

LIMITED SPACE AVAILABLE
Have Questions? Book a 15-minute Discovery Call with Brett at https://www.stressisgone.com/discovery


This program is delivered over three Sunday afternoons:


November 9: In Session Self-Care & Body Language Techniques
November 16: Words that Save Lives: What to Say and How to Say It
December 7: How to Let Your Sessions Heal You

Through an engaging experiential learning format that includes simulation, partner role-play, and Q&A, you will master the tools that have immediate impact with your most troubled patients, clients, and peers.

Every participant will receive the Suicide Prevention Family Handbook, The Stress Is Gone Method, and The Stress Is Gone Suicide Prevention Training Guide, containing the Suicide Prevention Protocol, as well as the recordings of the session(s) they register for.
"As a clinician, it was impressive feeling my own stress lift out of my body."
Gerri DeBenedetto, LCSW
 

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Each afternoon will be an interactive learning experience, taking a deep dive into one of the three core parts of the curricula. Through teaching and Q&A, small group discussion and role-playing, you will learn:

Realtime self-regulation technique to reduce burnout and empathy fatigue
Body language techniques to disarm defense mechanisms
5 prompts to surface the core issue fueling the ideation
Method to remain truly present with your patient's deepest pain
Breathwork technique to help patients release emotional pain
Tricks to unlock stuck emotions from various parts of the body
Clear framework to manage conversations that incorporate suicidal ideation

You will gain critical new skills and increased confidence—which together can help you save lives.
"I was blown away…Brett’s program has helped my clients heal…several were astonished with the results."
Mery Vargas Mares, MFT, Grief & Loss Therapist, EMDR Trained Clinician
 

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Intimate setting with personal access to the teacher
Interactive sessions
Question and answer periods
Guided meditations that expedite learning
Opportunity to become Stress Is Gone Certified
Recordings to study afterwards
Option to stay for dinner—or combine the program with a Personal Retreat


OPEN TO ALL MENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AND PEER SPECIALISTS
This program is designed for mental health professionals and peer specialists who:

Are seeing patients, clients, or peers that suffer with suicidal ideation
Work with populations that have a higher risk of suicide, such as veterans, first responders, young adults, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, indigenous peoples, undocumented immigrants, people in a toxic family court proceeding or dealing with a great financial hardship, etc.
Have clients with family members who died by suicide

 
IMPORTANT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Upon registration you will receive an email with PDF versions of the Suicide Prevention Family Handbook, The Stress Is Gone Method, and The Stress Is Gone Suicide Prevention Training Guide.
It is strongly suggested you read the handbook and training guide before the program begins (approximately 90-minutes of reading time).
During role-play exercises you will practice the techniques with your partner. This learning process is also a healing process. As you experience the relief within yourself, the results for your clients will be that much more profound.


IN-PERSON SCHEDULE



1:45 PM
Check in begins



Tea and Cookies


2:00-5:00 PM
Program


6:00-7:00 PM
Option to stay for dinner (additional $20 fee)



Online participants will observe over Zoom from 2:00-5:00 PM.

Schedule

7:30-8:00 AM: Morning Mediation and Salutations
8:00-9:00 AM Breakfast
9:00 AM-12:00 PM: Program or free time
12:00-1:00 PM: Lunch
1:00-6:00 PM: Program or free time
6:00-7:00 PM: Dinner
10:00 PM Lights Out
Note: Schedule is approximate and may change

Getting Here

Location icon Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing, 191 Cragsmoor Road, Cragsmoor, NY, USA

Directions

CAR. You will find a link for driving directions on our website. The parking lot is immediately to your left when you enter the Center grounds. You may drive up and drop your luggage at the Welcome Center, but may not leave your car unattended there; someone will be happy to shuttle you back down to the parking lot.

TRAIN. From Newark, La Guardia and Penn Station, you can take the Metro North train into Middletown, New York, approximately a 30-minute drive from the Center. For teachings, retreats and other special events, we will provide van service at set times. Otherwise, please take a taxi from the train station to the Center.

BUS. From New York City, you can take the Shortline Bus into Ellenville, New York, approximately a 15-minute drive from the Center. For teachings, retreats and other special events, we will provide van service at set times. Otherwise, please take a taxi from the train station to the Center.

PLANE. Newark, La Guardia and Stewart Airports all offer convenient services. From Newark or LaGuardia you can complete your trip by train; from Stewart you may rent a car or take a taxi service.

Accommodation

Our two residence halls offer a simple, peaceful environment that supports your retreat experience, with rooms for those on both personal and solitary retreats. Each room has a meditation cushion and zabuton. Rates include breakfast, lunch and dinner with the resident community, as well as towels and housekeeping. All guests are welcome, but not required, to join the daily meditation and other activities (although separate tickets are required for all ticketed events). • Our junior suites have a double bed, private bath, private terrace, a refrigerator and ample room for practice. • Our private rooms have a double bed and room for private meditation, with a shared bath. Rooms may be shared by those in a committed relationship.

All Three Sessions (November 9, November 16, December 7)
Sunday, November 9
Sunday, November 16
Sunday, December 7
Online: All Three Sessions (November 9, November 16, December 7)

Venue & Amenities

Venue & Amenities
Venue & Amenities
A/C in Rooms icon A/C in Rooms
Free Wifi icon Free Wifi
Spa icon Spa
Sauna icon Sauna
Pool icon Pool
Towels icon Towels
Free Parking icon Free Parking
Kitchen icon Kitchen
Tour Assistance icon Tour Assistance
Hot Tub icon Hot Tub
Coffee/Tea icon Coffee/Tea
Cafe icon Cafe
Restaurant icon Restaurant
Fitness Center icon Fitness Center
Yoga Studio icon Yoga Studio
Housekeeping icon Housekeeping
Bicycles For Rent icon Bicycles For Rent
Perched atop a wooded hillside in the hamlet of Cragsmoor, the Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing is surrounded by 90 acres of forest. The Center opened in 2017 and was purpose built to support retreats. With only 20 bedrooms, our retreats are small, keeping the retreat experience intimate. People regularly comment both on the cleanliness of the buildings and on the total sense of peace that envelopes you when on campus.

Meals

Menu
Menu

Menu Types

Ancient wisdom describes food as a source of prana, or life force. The Dharmakaya Center for Wellbeing was founded on the premise that nourishing food is integral to wellbeing. Our chefs are passionate about creating meals that are both flavorful and healthy. We use the freshest, most nutritious, least processed foods available; when possible our ingredients are organic and locally sourced. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in your accommodation fee. To promote good health, we serve delicious, varied, nutritious vegetarian food, with options at every meal. All our meals are served on a buffet, with ingredients listed next to each dish, enabling guests to avoid dairy, as well as glutens, nuts and other allergens.

What's Included

  • Comfortable accommodations with queen bed in every room
  • All linens
  • Three delicious, farm-fresh vegetarian meals a day
  • Tea station and fruit bowl always available
  • Large Meditation Hall and private Meditation Room
  • Extensive library of dharma books
  • Cozy chairs and fireplace
  • 90-acre campus with walking trails and outdoor meditation spots
  • Fire pit
  • Outdoor practice pavilion

What's Not Included

  • Travel to the Center

Customer Reviews

5.00 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
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thanhgiving retreat
hello

My retreat was great met alot of interesting people from everywhere as far as Brazil and China most people were from New Jersey. The food was great. I was in the yoga class on a chair and then decided I wanted to sit on the mat i miss and landed on the floor. There was so many people that just jumped out to help me. The place is very peaceful it feels like one big family. Catherine Asaro

5.0
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Peace in a comfortable environment
From the moment I arrived I was impressed with how peaceful and immaculate the entire facility is. The rooms had exactly what I needed with a comfortable bed and pillows, meditation table and cushions, and a desk. Towels were provided as well. Vegetarian meals were delicious. I was able to immerse myself in the silent meditation retreat and focus on deepening my practice. This is a perfect place for me and I’m already planning my next retreat.

5.0
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Beautiful spot
Dharmakaya Center is a beautiful & peaceful spot. Highly recommend! The center is immaculate and well maintained. Great staff and facilities.

5.0
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Amazing place Amazing experience
If you are looking for a place to unwind and grow spiritually while eating the best food this place is for you. Brand-new beautiful facility, super friendly stuff and relaxing atmosphere - I don’t know the better way to spend a weekend. I enjoyed my stay and I’m coming back!

5.0
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fantastic experience
I was in a wonderful art work shop and it was amazing. Accommodations where beautiful. Food was delicious and fantastic.
Beautiful grounds lovely walking experience. . The staff was delightful.

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