The Guardian Retreat
Spring 2027
A weekend retreat for men and women in the law enforcement profession seeking emotional and relational growth so they might be more effective protectors in their marriage, family and workplace. Participants are invited to a pristine, riverfront setting to receive training on Self-Aware, Safe, and Strong emotional presence, and experience personal recuperation.
Four weekends, four cohorts, 38 participants. Each person has come home with practical tools to engage their relationships with self-awareness, safe presence, and strong engagement.
“I was skeptical of being with co-workers, some who I barely knew or didn’t know at all, in an unknown environment. It was something so far out of my comfort zone. And with a month and a half to reflect on it, I would do it again - without hesitation.”
Talk to any of the past cohorts for more about what you can expect!
GUARDIAN RETREAT DETAILS
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Location and Schedule
The Guardian Retreat is hosted for three nights at an exquisite lodge overlooking the Wenatchee River in Leavenworth, Washington.
Check-in on the first night is 5–7 p.m. The retreat concludes on the final morning at 11am.
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Accommodations
Each participant will enjoy three nights’ lodging, breakfast, and lunch. Dinners are prepared and served together as a team.
Skilled facilitation and materials included.
Rooms will be assigned to best fit the configuration of the participants. 10 participants maximum per cohort. Private rooms and bathrooms are available upon request.
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Retreat Outcomes
Experience physical and emotional refreshment.
Implement the Guardian Presence framework—Self-Aware, Safe, and Strong—for emotional and relational presence.
Expand ability to describe inner emotional life and relational dynamics.
Receive practical relational tools to deepen connection with spouse or partner and workmates.
A single weekend could change everything that matters most!
Those serving in law enforcement capacities are in a profession confronting the worst days of people’s lives from shift start to end. The environment they serve is filled with negativity, entitlement, violence as power, substantial threat and trauma. This takes a profound toll on the body, mind and soul of the individual.
Little preparation happens, often too late, for the impending transition from the law enforcement career to the life that follows. The transition happens daily at shift end and at career end. For most these transitions prove disruptive and painful. A new season of life, marriage, and vocation awaits. The tragedy is to remain stuck, endlessly repeating mistakes or looping through ineffective relational strategies, thereby missing out on the fullness of life still to come.
How does one engage their spouse, children and social circle after daily exposure to this environment?
How does one protect those they love from the trauma and cumulative toll of this strenuous line of work?
How does one preserve vulnerability with oneself and intimate other after a law enforcement day or career?
How can one show up fully present rather than self-protective in relationships and family life?
The Guardian Retreat responds to these questions with practical insights and achievable strategies to promote a healthier personal and professional life.
Meet your hosts and facilitators
Mike Wright is lead chaplain with Everett Police Department and has served since 2014. He is the father of four adult children, has undertaken three major career transitions while accumulating twenty years of church ministerial work and ten more years as a consultant and life coach. Mike is passionate about offering those working in law enforcement needed care, support and coaching. After 30 years of marriage and nearly as many years of parenting, Mike leans on practical strategies with proven staying power. The facilitation of the Guardian Retreat is a culmination of his training, practice and experience. He is honored and thrilled to partner with his wife, Pascale, in hosting the Guardian Retreat.
Pascale Wright is a licensed psychotherapist whose private practice focuses on individual, marriage and trauma work. She is a certified trauma therapist with the Allender Center at the Seattle School. She has experience with those working in the law enforcement profession, their spouses, and their families. As a practitioner, supervisor, trainer and graduate level educator she has synthesized a proven approach from various therapeutic models. Whether teaching, facilitating or deeply engaged in one-on-one work she embodies the Self-Aware, Safe, and Strong relational framework.
Guardian Retreat Questions & Answers
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You’ll be introduced to the Guardian Presence framework—learning how to be Self-Aware, Safe, and Strong in moments of stress or conflict. You’ll gain tools for emotional regulation, understanding patterns from your story, and improving communication and connection at home and at work.
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No. This is not therapy, counseling, or any form of evaluation. The retreat is an experiential learning environment that blends teaching, guided reflection, and facilitated story work. You will never be required to share anything you are not comfortable with.
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Participants write a short narrative about a meaningful childhood experience (600–1,000 words). Small, confidential Story Groups read and engage these stories with care. This helps you see how past experiences shape current reactions and gives you language and insight for relational growth.
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Sharing happens at your pace. The groups are small, private, and guided by trained facilitators. You’re never pressured to reveal anything beyond what feels appropriate. Most participants describe Story Groups as one of the most impactful parts of the weekend.
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Confidentiality is a core value. What’s shared at the retreat stays at the retreat—and what’s shared in a Story Group stays in that group. This allows everyone to engage honestly, safely, and without fear of judgment or workplace impact.
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Each day includes teaching sessions, Story Groups, shared meals, and intentional downtime. Mornings focus on learning, afternoons include group work and rest, and evenings provide space for processing and connection. The final morning helps tie together next steps.
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The retreat is held on an alcohol-free campus for the entire weekend. This supports clearer reflection, safer emotional work, and shared commitment to the deeper purpose of the retreat.
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The retreat is hosted at Moose River Lodge in Leavenworth—a quiet, natural setting designed for rest and reflection. Spaces include the riverfront, pool, hot tub, and indoor gathering areas. It is informal, comfortable, and intentionally slow-paced so you can decompress.
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We emphasize respect, presence, and curiosity. Participants are encouraged to set aside rank, minimize screens, and engage one another as fellow human beings. The environment is relaxed and relational—ideal for personal and relational growth.
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Officers consistently report increased emotional awareness, better communication, reduced reactivity, and improved home relationships. The tools you learn help you stay grounded during high-stress interactions and more present with your squad, your community, and your family.