Building a Spiritual Foundation for Healing

A 3-day retreat for Adult Children of Alcoholics and all who identify with the journey. 

Join us for 3-day retreat for Adult Children of Alcoholics and all who identify with the journey

March 6-8, 2026

Presented by psychotherapist Xue Yang, creator of The Ensemble Method &
Chaplain Lisa Woititz, Co-Founder of ACOA Recovery (1978)

REGISTER BELOW - PLEASE NOTE THE REGISTRATION IS FOR THE PROGRAM & MEALS. LODGING IS SEPARATE. Scholarships are available ... learn more and apply for financial assistance here.

Many Adult Children of Alcoholics express feeling “stuck” in their recovery – still experiencing the repercussions of the past and a lack of self-esteem despite their best efforts. There is a growing desire to move beyond what we have learned so far and to achieve healing on a soul level.

Join Lisa and Xue as they guide fellow travelers in the discovery of “self” – the essence of you that begins long before the story that you remember. This is not a metaphor. From this place, we will begin to build a new foundation for healing that will free you from the survival behaviors and other ongoing consequences of your upbringing. You will come to know your “true self” and nurture the life that is meant for you.

During our first session Friday evening we will acknowledge our life experience and recovery thus far and prepare for change. On Saturday, Xue and Lisa will address the ACOA Characteristics and other familiar concepts (such as “co-dependency “and “inner child”) through understanding the biology of trauma and how to release trauma from the body. We will experience deeper healing on a physical, energetic and spiritual level. On Sunday we will plan for continued healing and growth of a new spiritual foundation that supports the essence of you.

Each session begins and ends with a grounding meditation and will include all new psycho-educational content and time to practice new life skills. This format encourages understanding in the mind, body and spirit.**

*Attendance Friday thru Sunday is required
**Please view these videos prior to our retreat:

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When
-
Where
The Wilson House, 378 Village St, East Dorset, VT 05253
Your upbringing is a fact of your experience. What you have been through does not define who you are. If you lack a sense of “self”, recovery is largely an educational process.
- Dr. Janet Woititz, ACOA Founder and Author of “Adult Children of Alcoholics.

Dr. Jan’s 13 Characteristics of Adult Children of Alcoholics

  1. Adult children of alcoholics guess at what normal is
  2. Adult children of alcoholics have difficulty following a project through from beginning to end
  3. Adult children of alcoholics lie when it would be just as easy to tell the truth
  4. Adult children of alcoholics judge themselves without mercy
  5. Adult children of alcoholics have difficulty having fun
  6. Adult children of alcoholics take themselves very seriously
  7. Adult children of alcoholics have difficulty with intimate relationships
  8. Adult children of alcoholics overreact to changes over which they have no control
  9. Adult children of alcoholics constantly seek approval and affirmation
  10. Adult children of alcoholics usually feel that they are different from other people
  11. Adult children of alcoholics are super responsible or super irresponsible
  12. Adult children of alcoholics are extremely loyal, even in the face of evidence that the loyalty is undeserved
  13. Adult children of alcoholics are impulsive. They tend to lock themselves into a course of action without giving serious consideration to alternative behaviors or possible consequences. This impulsivity leads to confusion, self-loathing and loss of control over their environment. In addition, they spend an excessive amount of energy cleaning up the mess.