A small-group therapeutic process integrating grounded, psychology-based modalities to help you release long-held patterns, unwind conditioning, and live with more authenticity, aliveness, and choice.
Primal Therapy is a deeply experiential process that explores the first 0–12 years of life, where our nervous system, unconscious beliefs, and survival strategies begin to take shape. Rather than managing symptoms, this work helps you return to the original imprint so you can experience a real shift.
You will be supported to uncover and heal early developmental trauma and conditioning, understand the patterns that keep repeating, and reconnect with a deeper sense of self.
This is not traditional talk therapy. It is a grounded, experiential process integrating gestalt, regression, systemic constellations, and somatic work to reach the root of long-held emotional patterns.
What is Primal Therapy
Who is this for?
✔️ You keep encountering the same emotional patterns, even after years of personal work
✔️ You want to understand the roots of your reactions, defenses, and relationship dynamics
✔️ You are tired of managing symptoms and want to get to the source
✔️ You want to build healthier romantic relationships
✔️ You want to resolve your own conditioning so you can become the parent you want to be
✔️ You want meaningful change across every area of life, not just more insight or awareness
✔️ You want to feel more secure, alive, and connected to your true self
✔️ You have tried many modalities and are ready for a deeper process that works at the root.
Why this retreat
Primal follows a structured arc of transformation that helps you become more fully yourself—with less of the past unconsciously running the show, and more freedom, aliveness, and joy available in the present.
Primal Therapy has supported deep transformation since the 1960s. The process is designed to help you:
✔️ Explore the first 0–12 years of life, where unconscious beliefs and nervous system patterns begin to form
✔️ Meet and integrate early developmental trauma, conditioning, and survival strategies
✔️ Understand the triggers that keep repeating in your life and relationships and how to resolve them
✔️ Reclaim the inner child as a source of aliveness, creativity, and potential
✔️ Build a more secure, emotionally mature sense of self
What the process helps you do
What the process helps you do
Meet the Facilitator
Elitsa brings more than 25 years of experience working with individuals and groups, and specializes in a wide range of psychological and therapeutic modalities, including Primal Therapy, systemic work, healing developmental trauma, holistic psychology, family therapy, art therapy, and family constellations.
She is a psychologist and expressive arts therapist with degrees from Switzerland and London, an honorary academic tutor in art therapy, and a longtime facilitator of workshops, retreats, teacher trainings, and therapeutic groups.
In addition to her clinical and group work, she has facilitated internationally across Europe, China, and the United States. She has been working with adults, children, and couples in both individual and group settings since 2004.
Elitsa Velikova (Lead Facilitator)
Vanya Sofia is an executive coach working with founders, CEOs,
and leaders in the startup ecosystem. For over a decade, she has supported clients through the complexities of leadership, growth, and personal transformation.
While most coaching focuses on performance and tactics, her work goes deeper—into the relational, psychological, and systemic dimensions that shape how we lead and live.
Her work integrates leadership development, psychology, and therapy-informed methodologies. In this retreat, she supports the process alongside lead facilitator Elitsa Velikova, bringing a grounded presence and deep experience holding transformational work.
Vanya Sofia (Assistant)
Chad Olin
CEO and Cofounder, Supermind
I experienced a new awareness of a pattern that was negatively impacting my relationships and was able to release it instantaneously.
This was a profound transformation
Yana Tornoe
Cofounder, Questionbase.ai
Vanya and Elitsa created a space of deep safety and connection. Even as we explored vulnerabilities, I never felt alone. Their presence, clarity, and intuitive guidance made it possible to access truths that were hard to name but ready to be seen. I’m forever changed and would join them again in a heartbeat.
I felt a profound shift in how I relate to myself.
Janet Todorova
Head of Expansion, Founders Institute
I was impressed by her deep knowledge and wisdom, coupled with her gentle approach, which made exploring deep topics feel safe and transformative for each of the participants.
I really enjoyed my experience at the event with Elitsa.
Kristen Lower
Sales executive, Salesforce
What made the experience especially impactful was the Primal work itself. It helped bring insight into the deeper patterns shaping my life, while also creating space to connect with the younger parts of myself that had been carrying so much for so long.
Elitsa and Vanya held that space with real integrity, compassion, and skill.
Yana Tornoe
Cofounder, Questionbase.ai
Vanya and Elitsa created a space of deep safety and connection. Even as we explored vulnerabilities, I never felt alone. Their presence, clarity, and intuitive guidance made it possible to access truths that were hard to name but ready to be seen. I’m forever changed and would join them again in a heartbeat.
I felt a profound shift in how I relate to myself.
Kristen Lower
Sales executive, Salesforce
What made the experience especially impactful was the Primal work itself. It helped bring insight into the deeper patterns shaping my life, while also creating space to connect with the younger parts of myself that had been carrying so much for so long.
Elitsa and Vanya held that space with real integrity, compassion, and skill.
Kristen Lower
Sales executive, Salesforce
What made the experience especially impactful was the Primal work itself. It helped bring insight into the deeper patterns shaping my life, while also creating space to connect with the younger parts of myself that had been carrying so much for so long.
Elitsa and Vanya held that space with real integrity, compassion, and skill.
Chad Olin
CEO and Cofounder, Supermind
I experienced a new awareness of a pattern that was negatively impacting my relationships and was able to release it instantaneously.
This was a profound transformation
Janet Todorova
Head of Expansion, Founders Institute
I was impressed by her deep knowledge and wisdom, coupled with her gentle approach, which made exploring deep topics feel safe and transformative for each of the participants.
I really enjoyed my experience at the event with Elitsa.
Kristen Lower
Sales executive, Salesforce
What made the experience especially impactful was the Primal work itself. It helped bring insight into the deeper patterns shaping my life, while also creating space to connect with the younger parts of myself that had been carrying so much for so long.
Elitsa and Vanya held that space with real integrity, compassion, and skill.
Kristen Lower
Sales executive, Salesforce
What made the experience especially impactful was the Primal work itself. It helped bring insight into the deeper patterns shaping my life, while also creating space to connect with the younger parts of myself that had been carrying so much for so long.
Elitsa and Vanya held that space with real integrity, compassion, and skill.
Chad Olin
CEO and Cofounder, Supermind
I experienced a new awareness of a pattern that was negatively impacting my relationships and was able to release it instantaneously.
This was a profound transformation
Janet Todorova
Head of Expansion, Founders Institute
I was impressed by her deep knowledge and wisdom, coupled with her gentle approach, which made exploring deep topics feel safe and transformative for each of the participants.
I really enjoyed my experience at the event with Elitsa.
Yana Tornoe
Cofounder, Questionbase.ai
Vanya and Elitsa created a space of deep safety and connection. Even as we explored vulnerabilities, I never felt alone. Their presence, clarity, and intuitive guidance made it possible to access truths that were hard to name but ready to be seen. I’m forever changed and would join them again in a heartbeat.
I felt a profound shift in how I relate to myself.
Kristen Lower
Sales executive, Salesforce
What made the experience especially impactful was the Primal work itself. It helped bring insight into the deeper patterns shaping my life, while also creating space to connect with the younger parts of myself that had been carrying so much for so long.
Elitsa and Vanya held that space with real integrity, compassion, and skill.
Kristen Lower
Sales executive, Salesforce
What made the experience especially impactful was the Primal work itself. It helped bring insight into the deeper patterns shaping my life, while also creating space to connect with the younger parts of myself that had been carrying so much for so long.
Elitsa and Vanya held that space with real integrity, compassion, and skill.
Chad Olin
CEO and Cofounder, Supermind
I experienced a new awareness of a pattern that was negatively impacting my relationships and was able to release it instantaneously.
This was a profound transformation
Janet Todorova
Head of Expansion, Founders Institute
I was impressed by her deep knowledge and wisdom, coupled with her gentle approach, which made exploring deep topics feel safe and transformative for each of the participants.
I really enjoyed my experience at the event with Elitsa.
Yana Tornoe
Cofounder, Questionbase.ai
Vanya and Elitsa created a space of deep safety and connection. Even as we explored vulnerabilities, I never felt alone. Their presence, clarity, and intuitive guidance made it possible to access truths that were hard to name but ready to be seen. I’m forever changed and would join them again in a heartbeat.
I felt a profound shift in how I relate to myself.
Chad Olin
CEO and Cofounder, Supermind
I experienced a new awareness of a pattern that was negatively impacting my relationships and was able to release it instantaneously.
This was a profound transformation
Yana Tornoe
Cofounder, Questionbase.ai
Vanya and Elitsa created a space of deep safety and connection. Even as we explored vulnerabilities, I never felt alone. Their presence, clarity, and intuitive guidance made it possible to access truths that were hard to name but ready to be seen. I’m forever changed and would join them again in a heartbeat.
I felt a profound shift in how I relate to myself.
Janet Todorova
Head of Expansion, Founders Institute
I was impressed by her deep knowledge and wisdom, coupled with her gentle approach, which made exploring deep topics feel safe and transformative for each of the participants.
I really enjoyed my experience at the event with Elitsa.
Kristen Lower
Sales executive, Salesforce
What made the experience especially impactful was the Primal work itself. It helped bring insight into the deeper patterns shaping my life, while also creating space to connect with the younger parts of myself that had been carrying so much for so long.
Elitsa and Vanya held that space with real integrity, compassion, and skill.
Over five days, we move through a focused therapeutic arc designed to support real inner change.
This is not a retreat where you passively consume content.
It is an immersive, participatory process held within a carefully facilitated group container. Through guided exercises, embodied practices, emotional processing, and systemic work, you will begin to identify the patterns, defenses, and survival strategies that continue to shape your life today.
What to Expect
Awareness
Emotional Release
Integration
Recognizing the unconscious beliefs, roles, and coping mechanisms formed early in life.
Accessing and moving emotions that were suppressed, denied, or never fully metabolized.
Making sense of what you uncover and connecting it to how you live, relate, and respond today.
The process arc
Embodiment
Beginning to anchor a more secure, mature, and authentic sense of self.
You can expect a balance of:
✔️ group process & individual support as needed
✔️ somatic and experiential exercises
✔️ time for integration
✔️ a safe environment held with care and discernment
Alongside the deeper therapeutic work, there will also be space for reflection, nourishing meals, and group connection that helps insight land more fully.
Most people understand their patterns intellectually, yet still find themselves repeating the same reactions in relationships, work, and life.
Primal Therapy helps you go back to the original imprint—where your nervous system, beliefs, and survival strategies were first formed—so you can begin to create real change.
Why this work matters?
Many people try to change from the top down. They work on mindset, habits, communication, or performance. They do therapy, coaching, courses, or plant medicine. Sometimes that helps.
But when the root pattern lives in the nervous system and was formed in childhood, change often requires a different level of work.
In a well-held group process, your own material becomes more visible. You not only work through your own experience, but also learn through witnessing others, being mirrored, and seeing universal patterns more clearly. This can accelerate insight, deepen emotional access, and make transformation feel less isolating.
This retreat is designed as an immersive group process because deep change often requires time, safety, repetition, and the right conditions to access what's underneath the surface.
This is not a retreat to consume ideas. It is a space to participate in real inner work.
That is where real freedom begins.
Why this work matters
Retreat Details
Dates: May 21–25, 2026
Duration: 4 nights / 5 days
Location: Miami, Florida
Investment:
Early Bird: $2,600 through March 31
Regular Rate: $3,000 starting April 1
Pricing is based on shared accommodation.
Private room upgrade: +$700
Payment plans are available in 3 monthly installments.
Doesn’t include airfare and transportation
Common shifts from this work
No two processes are the same, but this work often creates shifts across the emotional, relational, and practical layers of life.
EMOTIONAL:
✔️ Feeling more at home in your body instead of living only in your head
✔️ Less shame, inner criticism, and emotional contraction
✔️ A deeper sense of self-trust, aliveness, and inner steadiness
RELATIONAL:
✔️ Breaking recurring conflict patterns in close relationships
✔️ Clearer boundaries and less people-pleasing
✔️ More honesty, intimacy, and emotional availability
PROFESSIONAL:
✔️ Making decisions from clarity instead of anxiety or old fear.
✔️ Showing up with more authenticity and confidence
Location & Logistics
FAQs:
What is the itinerary and schedule?
Each day follows a structured rhythm that balances deep therapeutic work with rest, reflection, and integration.
Arrivals by 3pm on the 21st
8:00 – 9:00 AM — Morning active meditation
9:00 – 10:30 AM — Breakfast
10:30 AM – 1:30 PM — Group process and therapeutic work
1:30 – 2:30 PM — Break for Lunch
2:30 – 5:30 PM — Group process and therapeutic work
5:30 – 6:30 PM — Active meditation
6:30 – 8:00 PM — Dinner
8:00 – 9:30 PM — Evening session
Departure: By 3pm on the 25th
Is this a safe space to open up?
Is this similar to CBT therapy or group therapy?
Can I bring my partner/husband/wife?
What if I already do coaching or therapy?
How does payment work?
To reserve your spot, you can choose to pay in full or select a payment plan. All remaining balances must be completed by May 21, 2026, the start of the retreat.
Rate: $2600 early bird; $3000 after April 1st
Private room upgrade: +$700
Payment plan: 3 monthly payments of $867 for the early bird shared rate.
This experience can potentially qualify as a personal development expense and can be written off as a business-related investment.
What is the cancellation policy?
Because of the advance planning involved, retreat payments are non-refundable.
By April 20, 2026: you may transfer your spot to another person approved by us, or receive a credit toward a future retreat or program, minus a $250 administrative fee.
April 21–May 6, 2026: 50% of the amount paid may be applied as a credit toward a future retreat or program within 12 months.
From May 7, 2026 onward: no refunds or credits can be offered.
If we need to cancel the retreat, you will receive a full refund of your retreat payment. Travel insurance is recommended.
What is the cancellation policy?
Because of the advance planning involved, retreat payments are non-refundable.
By April 20, 2026: you may transfer your spot to another person approved by us, or receive a credit toward a future retreat or program, minus a $250 administrative fee.
April 21–May 6, 2026: 50% of the amount paid may be applied as a credit toward a future retreat or program within 12 months.
From May 7, 2026 onward: no refunds or credits can be offered.
If we need to cancel the retreat, you will receive a full refund of your retreat payment. Travel insurance is recommended.