Understanding Ourselves and Others

5.006 reviews
Location icon
240 Davis Rd, Gabriola, BC
Date
May 8 - 11, 2025

About this Retreat

Your Guides

Details of this retreat

We all have a personality – our own style of being in the world.  Better understanding our own style, as well as understanding the personality styles of others, can open a window to a deeper understanding of people – both ourselves and others.

This is an introduction to understanding ourselves and others through the lens of psychodynamics. We’ll explore how the process of human development in relation to others begins in early childhood shaping many of the ways we relate to other people and to situations in our adult lives –how we are shaped by our family experiences as well as our biology.

Participants in this program will have the opportunity to learn more effective ways of understanding, connecting and working with others, and to find a deeper experience of compassion for themselves and others along the way. We see self-awareness as essential to developing effective relationships. Participants will be invited to both explore their own personality patterns and to learn to see those patterns in others, while seeing and relating to the whole person. By including both self and other we can learn more effective ways of connecting and engaging with people across the range of human personality styles.

This course has broad applications. It is particularly useful for those working in the fields of group leadership, coaching, mental health, addictions, business teams or any setting where people interact, with a special focus on working as part of a Haven program leader-team.

Program participants will learn:

To better understand their own and others’ ways of moving in the world;
More effective ways to relate to and work with others in teams and personal relationships;
Concrete tools and skills for coaching, counselling and leadership;  and
How to get past common personality stereotypes and connect with others beyond our differences and defenses.

This program includes presentations, discussion, self-reflection, role-plays and a range of experiential opportunities. It’s stimulating, intensive, intimate and fun – a rich three days.

Participants will be encouraged to look at their own experience with new understanding and self-compassion in order to further develop their understanding of and skills in working successfully and compassionately with others.
Investment:
Earlybird tuition is $720 and is available up to one month before the programs start date. Full tuition is $780.  Full payment is due one month before the program start date or at the time of registration if less than one month.

We are offering private and shared room options.

You can find our cancellation policy here
Schedule:
Your program begins with dinner at 6pm and your first session at 7:30pm
Daily schedule:






Breakfast 8:00 - 9:00am
Morning session 9:15am to noon
Lunch noon to 1:00pm
Afternoon session 3:00 - 6:00pm
Dinner 6:00 - 7:00pm
Evening session 7:30 - approximately 9:00pm





Afternoon and evening sessions can vary.  Your program finishes with lunch on the last day
Transportation:
If you are travelling to Gabriola as a foot passenger on the Gabriola Ferry a shuttle to The Haven can be requested.  Information on this option will be included in your pre-arrival email.

 

 

Admission requirements: The student must have the desire and ability to learn.  Must demonstrate a capacity for responsible self care, responsible self organization and sound mental health.  The student must understand and speak English.

This program does not require approval by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training.  As such, the registrar did not review this program. What does this mean? Click here to learn more.

Getting Here

Location icon The Haven, 240 Davis Rd, Gabriola, BC

Directions

The Haven is on beautiful Gabriola Island, one of the Southern Gulf Islands of British Columbia. Gabriola Island is 20 minutes via BC Ferries from Nanaimo or 20 minutes by float plane from Vancouver.

Accommodation

Thunderbird dormitory is our most economical option. Each dorm pod accommodates up to 6 people, and each pod has its own washroom. Bunks are single over single, with extra-long mattresses. Dorm pods are separated by gender. The Thunderbird dormitory is only available for participants registered in a program at The Haven. From July to mid-August, the dorms are reserved for our Youth Programs. Basic rooms are simply furnished, comfortable and economical. They have two singles or one double bed, ensuite, no TV. Basic rooms are designed to be shared by two or three people, with beds in the same room and a shared bathroom. A Basic room may also be booked as a private room. Forest View rooms are nestled in attractive forested areas of The Haven property. Larger than our Basic rooms, Forest View rooms are designed to be shared by two or three people, with beds in the same room, a TV and private bathroom. A Forest View room may also be booked as a private room. Ocean View rooms offer spacious, well-equipped and comfortable accommodation looking out over the beach and waters of Taylor Bay. There is a TV in each room, a full kitchen or kitchenette, and private bathroom. Most Ocean view rooms have a deck. Although Ocean View rooms are usually booked as private accommodations, you may be able to share an Ocean View room if you and another program participant both request to be each other's roommate. Many people find that having a roommate enhances The Haven experience. For some, it's the start of a long friendship. If you choose Basic or Forest View shared accommodations and wish to stay with a particular person, please provide that person's name when you complete your on-line registration. Please ask your preferred roommate to do the same. Ocean View rooms may only be shared if both guests request each other by name as roommates when booking. If you choose the Dormitory, or if you choose Basic or Forest View shared accommodations and would like us to find a roommate for you, we assign rooms as men only, women only, or gender neutral. We make every effort to meet the needs of all our guests, but cannot guarantee specific rooms.

Dorm bed (upper) - Participant

Accommodation
Thunderbird dormitory is our most economical option. Each dorm pod accommodates up to 6 people, and each pod has its own washroom. Bunks are adult built, single over single, with extra-long mattresses. Dorm pods are separated by gender. The Thunderbird dormitory is only available for participants registered in a catalogue program at The Haven. From July to mid-August, the dorms are reserved for our Youth Programs.  We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room. Read more about Thunderbird Dorms (PDF).

Dorm bed (lower) - Participant

Accommodation
Thunderbird dormitory is our most economical option. Each dorm pod accommodates up to 6 people, and each pod has its own washroom. Bunks are adult built, single over single, with extra-long mattresses. Dorm pods are separated by gender. The Thunderbird dormitory is only available for participants registered in a catalogue program at The Haven. From July to mid-August, the dorms are reserved for our Youth Programs.  We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room. Read more about Thunderbird Dorms (PDF).

Basic Room - Shared - Participant

Accommodation
These cozy rooms have 1 double or 2 single beds.  Some rooms have a small desk.  We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room.

Basic Room - Private - Participant

Accommodation
These cozy rooms have 1 double or 2 single beds.  Some rooms have a small desk.  We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room.

Forestview - Shared - Participant

Accommodation
These rooms look out to lush forest views and have 1 queen or 1 double in addition to 1 single bed.  Many rooms have a small fridge and desk.  We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room.

Forestview - Private - Participant

Accommodation
These rooms look out to lush forest views and have 1 queen or 1 double in addition to 1 single bed.  Many rooms have a small fridge and desk.  We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room.

Oceanview Room - Private - Participant

Accommodation
These rooms are spacious and bright with 1 queen and 1 double sofa bed and a stunning ocean view.  In room amenities include fridge, microwave, coffee maker and kettle.  We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room.

Oceanview Suite - Private - Participant

Accommodation
These rooms are spacious and bright with 1 queen and 1 double sofa bed and a stunning ocean view.  In room amenities include fridge, microwave, coffee maker and kettle.  We have property wide complimentary WiFi, the signal varies from room to room.

Staying off-premise - Participant

Accommodation
This lodging type is used by guests staying off-premises, not staying at The Haven.

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
With rooms by quiet coastline waters and rustic cabins tucked away among the trees, you will feel far from the hustle and bustle of daily life.

Our property and facilities are designed to support our program participants and facilitate the delivery of our educational programs. Although we may not be able to offer all of the luxuries that you may associate with a resort hotel, we do offer the basics and a wonderful natural environment where you can enjoy quiet comfort.

Meals

Menu Types

We serve three meals delicious, nutritious meals a day in our ocean view dining room. We strive to feature whole foods and avoid the use of sugar and highly-processed ingredients whenever possible.

Customer Reviews

5.00 out of 5.0 average rating

5.0
2nd time
Experiential, universal, revelational about relational and self knowledge. Skilled experienced facilitators. Both times I’ve gone it has left me with deep connections in a short time and I continue to stay I. Touch with those co-participants. Food is hearty, delicious, and plentiful. Grounds are peaceful. I look forward to my next course and my next reunion with newfound friends.

5.0
TEENS ALIVE I, II & III
Our 15 year old son just completed Teens Alive (1-3) for the second time, and loved it. The environment is so nurturing and transformative - I really can't say enough about how grateful I am to have this program as a support during these years when parenting can be TOUGH. Our son is navigating high school with confidence, and making mature and thoughtful decisions - we definitely see him process his experiences in a new way and love what we are seeing. His communication with us is more open and productive, and we look forward to him navigating the rest of his teen years with his hands on the reigns. He is looking forward to next year's program and has plans to become an intern in the future as well.

5.0
Giving Voice
The Haven is beautifully set on the waterfront on Gabriola Island. I wasn't sure what to expect at this workshop. I was hoping I would find more confidence in using my voice as I have been confident in speaking in public but deathly afraid of singing in public! What I found was a very safe space to explore making all kinds of sound from humming and babble to overtone chanting and yes...singing. Leah was an excellent and gentle guide and the acoustics of our meeting space were amazing. I would recommend The Haven for anyone wanting to get away from their regular routine and explore their inner world. I will go back for more!

5.0
Imagine 2019
A wonderful opportunity to meet like minded people and to participate in goal setting activities for The |haven and for myself.

5.0
Journey to Self
Great Journey to the very centre of myself. I love all the Haven programs and this one was amazing, too.