Frequently Asked Questions
I'm Martina Famos, a certified Adlerian counselor based in the Engadin, Switzerland. Since 2019, I've offered intensive walk-and-talk counseling retreats for individuals, couples, and families from Switzerland and abroad.
1. Is this an alternative to traditional weekly therapy?
Yes! In the 11 years I had my private practice in Zurich, I often experienced clients finding it difficult to commit to regular sessions — either because of time constraints or simply because progress felt too slow. I'm fully convinced that whatever we want to achieve only happens through commitment, and that's no different in counseling.
In that sense, the sessions at Engadin Counseling Retreats are no different from "normal" sessions — they just take place over days instead of months.
Besides the advantage of commitment, I also believe in the power of momentum. In weekly therapy, a lot happens between sessions that can be irritating for the client and distract from previous conversations. During the retreat, we keep the discussions focused on the topics that truly matter.
Of course, for people who have demanding jobs or families, a counseling session is just another appointment squeezed between traffic and errands. In 2019, I decided to give counseling a different context — one where the beauty of the Swiss Alps and a few relaxing days in the Engadin support the important decision to improve one's life.
2. What happens during an intensive counseling retreat?
An intensive retreat combines a preparation phase with several days of walk-and-talk sessions grounded in
Adlerian psychology, held in nature.
The retreat already starts before we meet. It begins with assessments meant to make the sessions more goal-oriented and efficient. My clients appreciate having time to think about the questions and respond at their own pace. You can read more about this in my post The Power of Counseling Preparation.
On the first day, we meet in front of the hotel of your choice, which you book independently according to your preferences. From there, we walk easy trails for two hours. After a lunch break, we meet again and walk for another two hours. This isn't a sports exercise — it's important that we keep an easy pace so we can talk without difficulty, and I adapt to each client's walking ability. If we want, we can also sit on a bench, especially when I want to explain something on paper.
The Engadin is a dry area, so we have very few days of heavy rain. If the weather feels too unpleasant, there are covered benches to wait it out, or quiet corners in cafés that work well.
My preference is to keep it as natural as possible and stay open with the structure, so everyone feels comfortable.
3. Why walk-and-talk instead of sitting in an office?
There are many reasons that speak for walk-and-talk therapy, but what my clients appreciate most is that it feels very natural to talk to their counselor while walking through the Engadin landscape. Walking side by side in a space we all belong to makes it much easier to connect, and the conversation flows more easily.
Another advantage is more subconscious and concerns our thought processes: our brain is more active when we talk while walking. The movement, the fresh air, and the beauty of nature make us more resourceful in reaching our deeper thoughts and connecting the dots. It also supports our ability to think more openly and expansively.
An observation I've made is that, for many men, it's easier to talk when there are visual distractions. Women often have less difficulty maintaining eye contact for longer periods, but many men find it easier to talk when their eyes can wander to things around them.
And last but not least — therapy can be quite intense, and when the body is also a little tired in the evening, both mind and body are ready for a relaxing evening and a good night's sleep.
If you'd like to read more about the advantages of this approach, you can find more in my blog post Walk-And-Talk-Therapy.
4. How long does a retreat take, and how many sessions is that equivalent to?
I offer retreats of 3, 4, or 5 days. In the preliminary call, which is free, we discuss your goals and how long it may take to reach them. You're welcome to ask any questions there, which will help you decide on the right length for your retreat.
Compared to biweekly therapy, the 3-day retreat is equivalent to about 6 months of therapy, the 4-day retreat to about 8 months, and the 5-day retreat to about 10 months of biweekly sessions.
At the end of the retreat, we schedule 3 follow-up sessions, spaced 2 to 3 weeks apart.
Because the retreat is intensive and takes place within a fixed timeframe, it's easy for people to plan around it and travel to Scuol from abroad for a few focused days. For couples who want to bring their children along, I can help arrange for someone to spend time with them while you're in your sessions.
Not sure yet which length is right for you? Contact me to schedule a free 30-minute call — we'll discuss your needs and find the ideal duration for your journey.
5. Who is this retreat for — and who is it not for?
This retreat is a great fit for people who want fast results, who appreciate being outdoors, and who enjoy walking.
It's an excellent alternative for those with busy schedules who find it difficult to fit in biweekly appointments over several months. It's also the right opportunity for individuals who see the value in taking time for themselves, combining a self-care getaway with working on their mental health. In my post The Magic Between the Sessions, you can learn more about the value of staying in a relaxed state throughout the counseling process.
It's also for people who have experienced unsuccessful therapies in the past and want to try a new approach.
The Adlerian psychology I work with is goal-oriented, holistic, and considered a form of positive psychology. This approach is appreciated by clients who don't want to spend too much time revisiting the past, but who want a practical, healing way forward. I'm a certified Adlerian Counselor, trained at the Akademie für Individualpsychologie in the Canton of Zurich.
The retreat is also a good solution for people who prefer not to have a record of their need for counseling with their health insurance.
What started as a handful of retreats in 2019 has grown into a steady practice, with clients coming from all around Switzerland and as far as the Mediterranean, the US, and the UK. You can read what past clients say about their experience here: Testimonials.
The retreat is not for people who want or need their health insurance to cover their sessions. It's also not the right fit for those who prefer a slower process or who don't enjoy being outdoors.
If you recognize yourself in this description, I'd love to hear more about your situation. Contact me to schedule a free 30-minute call.
6. Do you work with couples or families, or only individuals?
I work with individuals, couples, and families — the retreat format works very well across all three settings, since it creates days of uninterrupted space to talk, rather than the usual weekly gaps of traditional therapy.
Couples often use the retreat to work through a crisis, years of unspoken tension, or to regain a connection they feel they've lost — with time away from daily distractions, and days that belong only to them.
Families use the walk-and-talk format because it allows them to move freely with their child and experience insights directly, in the moment, as their interactions unfold.
As a side note: Adlerian psychology was the first school of thought to address parenting, and it has had a long tradition of supporting families ever since. It's also a great approach for couples, as it emphasizes resources and strengths to overcome difficulties and move through crisis.
7. I don't speak English or German very well — can I still book a retreat in the Engadin?
Yes — I can also work in French and Italian, although the preparation materials for the retreat are only available in English and German. With AI, though, it's very easy to get a quick translation of the assessments if needed.
Feel free to mention your language preference when you contact me to schedule your free 30-minute call.
8. What is "Cultural Grief" and how does it relate to your work?
Cultural Grief is my hypothesis about what happens to people who relocate to another country.
During my time in Zurich, I realized that the difficulties people faced after moving often had less to do with childhood or deep psychological issues, and more to do with grief.
When the brain recognizes a loss, it starts the grieving process — and if we're not aware of it, the emotions that arise can take us by surprise and leave us confused about what's happening.
In my book Cultural Grief, I explain this process and how to work with difficult emotions during the transition of adapting to a new social environment.
This is especially relevant for expats and internationally mobile people — those who've relocated for work, love, or a new chapter in life, and who may not even realize that what they're feeling is grief.
Grief is always a significant part of our lives — we don't only grieve the loss of a person through death, but also the ending of a relationship, the loss of youth, of material things, or of a wonderful phase in life.
Through my many years of working with people who have relocated abroad, I've developed a strong sense for when grief is part of someone's distress — whether it stems from relocation or from other challenges life brings. I believe grief is something we're often unaware of, even though it's a natural process happening to every human. Grieving consciously helps us mature and improve our mental and emotional wellbeing.
Curious whether an intensive retreat is the right fit for you?
Contact me to schedule a free 30-minute call. We'll discuss your needs, answer your questions, and find the ideal duration for your journey – no obligation.