Retreat The Olive Tree Programme - Developing capacity for greater resilience

The Olive Tree programme is a life skills programme for adults, designed to foster and enhance resilience.   Initially devised as a support for Palestinian refugees and asylum seekers, the programme also has a wider application.  The programme draws on a combination of ancient wisdom and the best of modern approaches to cultivating resilience. 

 

Resilience can be understood as the ability to survive well in difficult circumstances, to recover from difficulties and to adapt in the face of challenge or adversity.
The 6-session programme offers people the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitudes that build resilience. These in turn can begin to help bodies, minds and hearts to heal and build the inner strength to cope with new challenges.
Each session includes experiential exercise, time for personal reflection, group discussion and suggestions to take away for practice at home.

Who is this for?
This course will benefit mental health professionals, offering an opportunity for self-care.  The programme is informed by the practice of Focusing but previous experience of Focusing is not necessary.

About the facilitators
Mary Jennings is a Mindfulness Teacher (MTAI) and a Focusing Coordinator with The International Focusing Institute (TIFI). She has taught Focusing programmes in Gaza and in Ireland.

Tom Larkin is a Psychotherapist and Focusing trainer with the International Focusing Institute (TIFI) who has practiced for the last 20 years.  He lives and works in Dublin.

Margaret Quinn is a group facilitator and Focusing Trainer with the International Focusing Institute (TIFI) She is a founding member of the Irish Focusing Network.

Interview with Ghada Radwan
The Olive Tree Programme  was devised by Irish and Palestinian practitioners who had been working together for several years to promote Focusing in Gaza.  This programme was our attempt to offer much needed support during the latest war.  Ghada’s experience during that time was a major impetus for the work and her collaboration contributed to our designing a programme that is trauma sensitive. This was important for the situation which was the original focus of the work, but it also contributes to its broader application.  While Ghada will not be joining the training in person, she will join us online during part of our time together and will participate in follow-up, online sessions. Ghada has an MA Educational Psychology and is a Focusing trainer. She's currently studying at the university of Iceland.

A further training opportunity 
We will offer further training to those who would like to deliver The Olive Tree Programme in their work or community settings. The training sessions will be offered on-line over 7 sessions (timetable and costs to be agreed).

Practical information
Venue: Koningsteen, Oxdonkstraat 168, 1880 Kapelle-op-den-Bos, Belgium
Dates:  Thursday, 11th March 2027, 17.00h – Sunday 14th March 2027, 14.00h. We’re beginning with dinner on Thursday and concluding after lunch on Sunday.
Retreat Fees: 330 Euro – Early bird discount of 10%: until December 11th 2026 the retreat fees are 297 Euro.
Registration is now open and will close on January 25th 2027.

Full board per person (3 nights):
Single room: 396 Euro
Shared room (per person): 336 Euro
Included:
-    3 nights accommodation (towels and bed linen included)
-    3x breakfast, 3x lunch, 3x dinner
-    Coffee, tea, and water throughout the day
-    We serve organic, vegetarian meals.
Room and board will be paid directly to the venue. Link for this available on registration.

Is there a cancellation policy?
Yes. The retreat payments are non-refundable except in the event of unavoidable emergency.

This workshop is organised by Tine Swyngedouw – EFocusing
If you have questions, mail me on tine.swyngedouw@efocusing.be 

I'll be happy to help you.