Cultivating Mindfulness for Health and Wellbeing

We are delighted to offer an in-person Autumn Silent Retreat on Sunday, November 15, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Washtenaw Community College, Ann Arbor.  In a season of transition, make space for stillness, balance, and reflection.  This is an opportunity for those with some previous meditation experience to deepen or renew their practice in community by sitting, walking, gentle mindful movement, and eating in silence during the day. 

Most sitting meditations will be guided, providing support for both those looking to deepen an established practice and those seeking to reconnect with mindfulness in a quiet, supportive setting.

This retreat is for persons 18 years and older.

Registration Price

• $50 standard rate
• $65 pay-it-forward registration rate supports our community
• $30 student/trainee registration rate

Registration closes November 14, 2026 at 9:00 p.m. EST.

If the registration price is a barrier, please contact us at info@aacfm.org to arrange a scholarship or reduced rate.

A portion of the proceeds from this event supports scholarships for mindfulness teacher training in underrepresented communities, helping more people access mindfulness and compassion training. If you want to make an additional donation to support this cause, it is greatly appreciated. You may donate here: https://www.aacfm.org/donate/

Retreat information:

Location: Garrett’s in the Student Center Building at Washtenaw Community College (WCC), 4800 E. Huron River Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.  Doors open at 9:30 a.m.

Parking: Free parking is available on the WCC campus. Lot 4 is closest to the Student Center Building. WCC is also accessible by AAATA buses.

Please bring a healthy lunch and a water bottle. Please note that refrigeration and kitchen facilities are NOT available. Light snacks and tea will be available for attendees.

A limited number of meditation cushions will be available for your use. Please consider bringing your own mat, cushions, or blanket, if these items are supportive to your practice. Chairs will be available for sitting practice.

Cancellation policy: Cancellation requests received prior to 12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 13, 2026 will receive a full refund. Registrations may be transferred to another attendee at no cost upon request received by November 14, 2026 at 9:00 p.m. EST.

Saturday, January 16, 2027, 10 am – 12pm ET, Zoom.
2.0 Continuing Education Credits available.

Winter invites us to slow down, turn inward, and reconnect with ourselves. Join us for a gentle, experiential workshop combining body-based practices for nervous system regulation with guided self-compassion exercises. Through gentle movement, breath work, self-massage, meditation, and reflection, you’ll explore ways to release tension, soften self-criticism, and cultivate greater ease, warmth, and kindness toward yourself. Leave with practical tools for navigating stress and bringing more compassion into everyday life. No experience necessary. Practicing clinicians can expect to gain tools to address their own burnout as well as tools to teach their clients to address anxiety and nervous system over-activation.

Teacher: Nicole LaBrie, LMSW, ACSW. Nicole is a psychotherapist with a private practice in Ann Arbor, MI. She has a special interest in complex trauma treatment, especially in high achievement-oriented individuals. She is a certified EMDR therapist as well as a certified teacher of Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy. She serves as a council member at the Ann Arbor Center for Mindfulness.

Teacher: Nichole Ondersma, LMSW. Nichole is a somatic psychotherapist in private practice specializing in trauma-informed, body-centered healing. With training in Sensorimotor Psychotherapy, mindful movement, and integrative bodywork, Nichole supports individuals in cultivating nervous system regulation, deepening self-awareness, and developing a more compassionate connection with themselves.

Six sessions on Wednesdays from Feb 3 to Mar 10, 12:00 pm – 1:15 pm ET (75-minute sessions)

Mindful Self-Compassion (MSC) is an evidence-based training program developed by leading researchers Kristin Neff and Christopher Germer. This short course is designed to help people reduce self-criticism and harsh inner dialogue, increase emotional resilience during stress, and help regulate difficult emotions. Learn more.

Register now. Scholarship program may be available. This series is pending approval for 6.0 CE credits for social workers. Classes approved by NASW are also acceptable CE for psychologists (see LARA – Psychology General Rules).

For more information or to register, contact Brenda at Brenda@mindtransformationsllc.com or visit www.mindtransformationsllc.com/upcoming-classes.