Compass Retreats -
Luxury Gateways Program
Please note that while the Luxury Gateways programs share foundational elements with the standard Gateways programs, they are hosted in more affluent countries, deliver enhanced service standards, and are led by clinicians with significantly greater experience, advanced training, and commensurate professional value.
Welcome to the Gateway Program
At Compass Retreats, we specialise in transformative, luxury, six-day retreats located in phenomenal locations such as the Swiss Alps and Dolomites, Italy.
Our retreats are designed to focus on an evidenced based, holistic approach to enhancing quality of life. These retreats are customised by experienced Clinical Psychologists, Neuropsychologists, Psychiatrists, Elite Sports Physiotherapists, and Nutritionists; setting us apart from typical wellness retreats.
What distinguishes us is our commitment to an evidence-based methodology, led by skilled, experienced, and qualified clinicians. Our retreats draw from established therapeutic frameworks, particularly Schema Therapy, Gottman Institute, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), ensuring that participants receive scientifically grounded support throughout their experience. The clinicians are also versed in a myriad of other therapy models that can be called upon to help enhance individual experiences.
Compass retreats are designed to be a delightful balance of customised rejuvenation, adventure, and growth.
Alongside our evidence-based approach, you’ll enjoy an all inclusive true holiday getaway, complete with all meals, drinks, and private accommodations included in your package.
Immerse yourself in local activities and experiences, all set against stunning backdrops. Picture yourself indulging in daily massages, exploring the vibrant culture through shows, and partaking in exciting adventures while also finding moments of relaxation.
The Compass Approach
Before embarking on your retreat, we conduct a comprehensive pre-retreat assessment that evaluates nutrition, physical strength and function, and psychological well-being. This tailored approach allows us to customise your retreat experience to meet your individual needs effectively.
Together, we collaboratively establish goals which are actionable during the retreat. Although these goals are individually tailored, we recognise the importance of community and connection. Accordingly, our retreats occur in small groups of 6-12.
To promote sustained change, our support extends beyond your retreat experience.
We provide follow-up consultation phone calls one week after the retreat and a one-hour clinical assessment one month post-retreat with a clinician, addressing any barriers to change and supporting your ongoing journey.
The Importance of Connection
Our focus is on non-clinical or low-clinical presentations, and we understand the importance of remaining connected to reality. Unlike many retreats, we actively incorporate technology, utilising it as a tool to enhance your experience rather than disconnect from it.
How Does it Work
Meet Your Retreat Leader
Michael Spark is a Clinical Psychologist and the Director of Compass Therapy, Compass Retreats, Compass Paintings, and the host of the ‘Mike the Psych’ podcast.
His hobbies include snorkelling, motocross, and outdoor adventures. His early career was in the steel and mining industry, where he worked as a TA and later as an operator before engaging in two years of volunteer work. Recognising the financial stability that came with a regular occupation and the fulfilment found in helping others, he shifted to a career that combined both.
After 11 years working in high-risk residential youth work and a decade in the mental health space as a psychologist across various settings, Michael became drawn to the concept of mental wellness. He realised that, while he himself was mentally healthy, there was an entirely new journey toward mental wellness that had captivated his focus. Eager to explore this area further, he identified a significant gap for people like himself who weren’t seeking a spiritually emphasised retreat or training towards some form of accreditation in mindfulness or Yoga. Although these sectors provide meaningful services, it was felt that more could be done.
He observed that there were relatively few opportunities for participants interested in science-based mental wellness retreats led by APHRA-registered clinicians.
Moreover, he identified notable gaps in the market, such as the lack of programs offering pre-retreat psychometric assessment, post-retreat follow-up, and retreats where technology is wholly removed rather than integrated as a tool for everyday life.
Additionally, Michael noticed a recurring and concerning pattern among some retreats, which promised scientifically impossible outcomes within unrealistic timeframes. This motivated him to start Compass Retreats, with a mission to address these gaps ethically and in a data-driven manner. He envisioned a retreat led by experts in their field, providing evidence based best practices, which still included the serenity and comfort of an overseas holiday. Consequently, we now have Compass Retreats.
