q: What kind of support do you offer?

a: We offer phone support, one-on-one individual suport and psycho educational support thru our retreats.

q: Can I do phone support with Sandy?

a: Sandy works face-to-face with women either thru one-on-one individual support coaching in NC or thru the retreats at the retreat house in N.C. She does not (at this time) provide phone support. HOWEVER, we have phone coaches listed on our site who DO phone support.     

q: Why aren’t your services free?

a: We are not a non-profit. We are not funded by anyone nor are we funded by grants. Sandy started and directed a non profit in FL for years and donated most of her work and services. This leaves her seriously behind in retirement!! While The Institute’s goal is to provide affordable products and services for ‘most’ people, we realize and regret that we can’t be a free program. We do donate a portion of our revenues each year thru books given to women’s shelters and organizations. We also frequently donate workshops, lectures, and other in-kind services to women’s non-profits. This is the way we support non profits.

q: What happens at retreats?

a: Our retreats are a special and unique experience. Purposefully situated in the beauty of the NC mountains, our retreats inspire relaxation and reflection. The retreat house is stocked with reading materials on pathology and destructive relationships as well as videos, CD’s, audio libraries, and culturally relevant movies. Women get a huge amount of education opportunities through up to date and current information on pathology. Additionally, our retreats allow women to share and compare experiences in destructive relationships. These interactions help her to realize she is not alone and these are not uncommon relationships. Group experiences allow her to learn from Sandy about pathology and share with others about her unique relationship. Individual time with Sandy allow her to work on her specific issues related to this relationship, early childhood or other relevant problems. Relaxation is gained from hiking, going to the waterfalls and into the forest and sitting on the front porch rockers allowing everything she is learning to sink in. Most women arrive at the retreat emotionally, physically and spiritually exhausted. Her relaxation is as important as her education. Most women say the clarity they receive while here is what helps them heal, let go, move on, and not repeat a dstructive relationship again.

q: What happens at one-on-ones with Sandy?

a: This time is a paranthesis in a time line of your life. It is quiet time for yourself. Most of the time there is only one or two people at the retreat center. Sleep as late as you want, walk, hike, nap, study and read, rock, and have 3 hours of private coaching per day with Sandy. Most women immerse themselves in the opportunity of understanding what they have been thru. Some women enjoy the quaint town of Brevard and even stop by the Elements Spa for a massage. Others take a day and go to arty Asheville to take in the unique city. This time is YOURS–you design it!

q: Is my guy a destructive pathological/should I leave him?

a: All of our VOLUMES of information are geared to answering those questions WITH you. Before calling us with these questions, read our books, do the workbook, read our blog with a years worth of archived newsletters on it, do some phone support, OR book a retreat or 1:1. Your situation can not be assessed with any depth in an email.

Our goal is to help you heal so we have provided opportunities in many venues: phone support, retreats, 1:1’s, books, ebooks, audios, CD’s, mp3s, and workshops. We’ve made it as easy as humanly possible to heal from the devastation of pathology.