Bodywork for Depression & Anxiety

Bodywork for Depression & Anxiety: Nelson County, VA
A specific hands-on bodywork protocol, breathwork, mindfulness, and science-backed tools to support client nervous system regulation and presence.
Restoring Nervous System Balance
Depression and anxiety is an epidemic in our society and more people than ever are turning to body-centered therapies for relief. Chronic stress, trauma, loss, uncertainty and everyday pressures often show up physically and manifest as tension, fatigue, pain, or overwhelm. Our physical state profoundly influences our mental wellbeing, affecting our mood, emotions, focus, resilience and vitality. As practitioners, we are being called to understand and offer safe, effective tools that support the whole person.
What You’ll Learn
This experiential training provides a comprehensive body-centered framework for understanding and addressing symptoms of depression and anxiety through bodywork. You’ll learn:
- A specific hands-on bodywork protocol to support nervous system regulation and emotional balance
- Breathwork, mindfulness, and movement practices to interrupt patterns of overwhelm and disconnection
- How to apply Polyvagal Theory in your work to understand nervous system resilience and adaptability
- The science behind depression and anxiety, including how the brain responds to stress
- Emotional anatomy—how the body reflects and holds emotional patterns shaped by belief and experience
- Practical strategies to support clients in becoming more embodied, grounded, and present

I didn’t expect how great and effective this course would be. I wish I had gained this knowledge years ago. So many people will be positively affected from these new skills that I’ll be incorporating in my work.
T. Carter, LPN, LMT

A retreat setting
This three-day Bodywork for Depression and Anxiety training and retreat will be held at Sanctuary Retreat Center, nestled in the foothills of the Shenandoah Mountains in Nelson County, Virginia. Sanctuary is a place of depth, presence, and restoration—offering an ideal setting to learn, unwind, and reconnect. Known for their exceptional hospitality, the Sanctuary staff brings warmth, attention to detail, and genuine care to every aspect of your stay.
You’ll be nourished with healthy, flavorful meals, thoughtfully prepared to meet a variety of dietary needs. Set on 120 acres of quiet forest, the property also offers walking trails, meditation spaces, and on-site wellness services—all designed to support your personal and professional rejuvenation.
Why This Course?
You’ll gain science-backed, body-centered tools that complement conventional approaches to mental health. This training is rooted in compassion and non-judgment, empowering you to meet clients where they are and guide them gently toward greater regulation and ease.
These somatic practices activate the body’s innate capacity for self-healing and restoration. Through this work, you’ll discover how the body can recalibrate, reset, and return to its natural rhythm—moving beyond patterns of disconnection, emotional distress, and chronic dysregulation.
All Inclusive Training & Retreat
- All-inclusive pricing (CE training, comfortable accommodations, and meals) starts at $750, based on your lodging choice
- Arrive early: Add an optional Thursday night stay starting at $95, including meals — highly recommended for a gentle landing
- Enjoy delicious, healthy meals, with most dietary needs thoughtfully accommodated
- On-site wellbeing services available, including massage and bodywork, energy healing, and emotional balancing
- Woodland trails, quiet reflection spaces, and serene, comfortable accommodations support deep rest and renewal
- Begin each day with an optional high-tech sound meditation, a signature experience at Sanctuary Retreat Center
- Approved for 18 NCBTMB CE hours for Licensed Massage Therapists
Frequently Asked Questions
Sanctuary Retreat Center
Virginia
Register Now
Hold your spot with a $100 deposit