Events

Upcoming Events & Workshops

From Surviving to Thriving: A Two-Part Experience for Women Navigating Separation & Divorce 

Separation and divorce have the power to change every aspect of our lives. They can leave us questioning our identity, our confidence, our relationships, and our vision for the future. Yet within every ending lies the opportunity to rediscover ourselves, heal deeply, and create a life that feels more authentic than ever before. 

Surviving to Thriving is more than a retreat. It is a thoughtfully designed two-part transformational experience that recognizes women need more than emotional support alone – they also need practical knowledge, compassionate guidance, and a community that understands the journey they are navigating. 

The experience begins with a live virtual educational session that provides participants with a practical understanding of the legal landscape of separation and divorce. It then continues with an immersive three-day retreat focused on healing, self-discovery, personal growth, and reconnecting with yourself in the company of women walking similar paths. 

Together, these two experiences provide a truly holistic approach to navigating separation and divorce – addressing not only the legal realities, but also the emotional, physical, and personal journey of rebuilding a meaningful life. 

Whether your separation occurred months ago, years ago, or you are preparing to begin the process altogether, From Surviving to Thriving offers the opportunity to move forward with greater knowledge, confidence, resilience, and hope. 

Part I | Building a Foundation Through Knowledge: Navigating the Legal Landscape of Separation & Divorce 

Date: Saturday. September 12, 2026 | 10am-12pm (EST)

Your journey begins before we gather in October. Prior to the retreat, participants will join a live two-hour virtual educational session led by Catherine Koutsogiannopoulos, founding lawyer and partner at Real Family Law. 

Designed to provide a practical foundation in Ontario family law, this session equips participants with the knowledge and confidence needed to better understand the legal aspects of separation and divorce. By addressing many of the questions and uncertainties women commonly face, participants arrive at the retreat with greater clarity around the legal process, allowing the weekend itself to focus on healing, personal growth, and transformation. 

Topics include: 

• Understanding the separation and divorce process 

• Parenting arrangements and decision-making responsibilities 

• Child support and spousal support 

• Property division 

• Separation agreements and negotiated settlements 

• Understanding the differences between Collaborative Family Law, mediation, arbitration, and litigation, and when each approach may be appropriate 

• Common misconceptions and costly mistakes to avoid 

• Preparing for productive conversations with legal professionals 

The webinar concludes with a live question-and-answer session, where Catherine will hold space for participants to ask questions in a supportive educational environment. While the session is not intended to provide legal advice specific to individual circumstances, participants will leave with greater clarity, confidence, and a stronger understanding of the legal framework surrounding separation and divorce. 

Part II | The Retreat Experience 

Date: October 17-19, 2026 

Retreat Venue: Nature’s Elements Wellness | 103 Rockfield Road, Mallorytown, Ontario, K0E 1R0 

Overnight Accommodations: Nearby off-site accommodations (location provided upon registration) 

Welcome Guide: A complete retreat guide, packing list, and itinerary will be provided upon registration. 

With a strong legal foundation established, participants will gather for an immersive three-day retreat dedicated to healing, self-discovery, and personal transformation. Through a thoughtfully curated blend of psychotherapy, transformational coaching, somatic movement, nervous system regulation, breathwork, restorative wellness experiences, and meaningful connection, participants will gain the tools, confidence, and self-awareness needed to move beyond surviving and begin intentionally creating the next chapter of their lives. 

Throughout the retreat, participants will: 

• Develop a deeper understanding of the emotional and psychological impact of separation and divorce. 

• Learn practical strategies to regulate the nervous system and build emotional resilience. 

• Identify relationship patterns, limiting beliefs, and behaviours that no longer serve them. 

• Experience the healing power of somatic movement, breathwork, and embodied practices. 

• Reconnect with their confidence, intuition, creativity, and inner wisdom. 

• Build meaningful relationships with women navigating similar life transitions. 

• Create a clear and intentional vision for the next chapter of their lives. 

The retreat balances education with experience, creating opportunities for personal reflection, restorative wellness, guided discussion, movement, and authentic connection. 

Your Retreat Hosts 

Surviving to Thriving is proudly hosted by Catherine Koutsogiannopoulos and Elizabeth Ionita, partners at Real Family Law. 

At Real Family Law, we believe that while divorce may mark the end of a marriage, it does not have to mark the end of hope, dignity, or possibility. Through our philosophy of Divorce with Love™, we advocate for an approach that prioritizes healing, respect, personal growth, and healthier futures – for individuals, families, and especially children. 

Recognizing that legal guidance alone is not enough to help someone rebuild after divorce, Catherine and Elizabeth created Surviving to Thriving as an extension of the Divorce with Love™ philosophy – bringing together therapeutic expertise, transformational coaching, holistic wellness, and meaningful community to support women through every dimension of healing. 

Throughout the weekend, Catherine and Elizabeth will guide the retreat experience, welcome participants, moderate discussions, facilitate meaningful conversations, and create a safe, compassionate, and supportive environment where every woman feels seen, heard, and encouraged. 

Their hope is that every participant leaves with renewed confidence, practical knowledge, meaningful connections, and a deeper understanding that while divorce may be part of her story, it does not define the rest of it. 

Meet Your Facilitators 

Karen Goslin, MSW, RSW 

Registered Psychotherapist Karen Goslin brings more than 35 years of clinical experience supporting individuals through separation, divorce, grief, trauma, and life’s most significant transitions. Through her trademarked KG Accountable Therapy™ Method, Karen helps participants understand the emotional impact of divorce, uncover lifelong relationship patterns, regulate overwhelming emotions, and transform painful experiences into opportunities for lasting resilience and personal growth. 

Valentina Borgan, CPCC 

Valentina Borgan is a Certified Co-Active Coach, Reiss Motivation Profile Master Coach, Positive Intelligence Mental Fitness Trainer, and Certified Addiction Recovery Coach. Through powerful coaching and transformational practices, she helps women reconnect with their inner strength, cultivate confidence, reclaim their personal power, and intentionally create lives aligned with their values. 

Micah Ornoch, CPT 

Micah Ornoch is a Certified Personal Trainer, Reiki Master, and Ayurvedic Health Educator specializing in functional movement and nervous system regulation. Through her Functioning → Flourishing™ philosophy, Micah helps women reconnect with their bodies, build resilience, and cultivate greater well-being through movement, breathwork, mindfulness, and lifestyle practices. 

Throughout the retreat, Micah will guide restorative movement and somatic practices, including an evening “Letting Go” experience and a grounding morning movement session – to help participants regulate their nervous systems, release emotional tension, reconnect with their bodies, and create space for deeper healing. 

Together, Karen, Valentina, and Micah offer a truly integrated approach to healing – supporting participants intellectually, emotionally, physically, and personally. 

Your Retreat Setting 

The retreat takes place at Nature’s Elements Wellness, a Scandinavian-inspired thermal spa nestled in the beautiful Thousand Islands region of Mallorytown, Ontario – approximately 3½ hours from Toronto and 1½ hours from Ottawa. 

Inspired by Nordic wellness traditions, Nature’s Elements offers a peaceful sanctuary where participants can disconnect from the demands of everyday life and reconnect with themselves through nature and restorative wellness experiences. 

Throughout the retreat, participants will enjoy access to: 

• Traditional Finnish saunas 

• Outdoor hot tubs 

• Cold plunge and contrast therapy experiences 
  • Forest trails and quiet spaces for reflection 
  • Relaxation areas and fire pits 
  • Yoga and wellness spaces 
• The natural surroundings become an integral part of the healing journey, providing opportunities to slow down, reflect, restore, and integrate the work taking place throughout the weekend.

Accommodations & Nourishment 

Participants will stay together at a nearby off-site property, just minutes from Nature’s Elements Wellness. The accommodations have been intentionally designed as a shared, communal experience, creating opportunities for authentic conversations, meaningful relationships, and lasting friendships. Some of the most memorable moments of the retreat happen beyond the scheduled sessions – over morning coffee, shared meals, evening conversations, and quiet moments spent with women who truly understand one another’s journeys. 

Healing is strengthened through community, and this retreat embraces the power of shared experience in a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment. 

Your retreat experience also includes wholesome, made-from-scratch meals prepared with fresh, nourishing ingredients. Every meal has been thoughtfully designed to support wellness while creating opportunities to gather, connect, and continue conversations in an atmosphere of care and belonging. 

What’s Included 

Your investment includes: 

• A live two-hour virtual legal education session with Catherine Koutsogiannopoulos 

• Three days of transformational retreat programming 

• All facilitated workshops and group sessions 

• Somatic movement and breathwork experiences 

• Access to Nature’s Elements Wellness Scandinavian thermal spa 

• Comfortable communal accommodations 

• Whole, nourishing, made-from-scratch meals 

• Snacks, coffee, tea, and refreshments 

• Retreat materials and resources 

• A supportive community of women navigating similar life transitions, creating space for authentic conversations, mutual encouragement, and friendships that often continue long after the retreat has ended. 

Investment: $2,000 CAD (includes all applicable taxes) 

Your investment includes the complete two-part experience: 

• Pre-retreat legal education webinar, with live Q&A 

• Three-day transformational retreat 

• Accommodations 

• Spa access 

• All meals and refreshments 

• Retreat materials 

• All workshops and wellness experiences 

To preserve the intimate nature of the retreat and ensure every participant receives meaningful support and connection, registration is intentionally limited. 

Because surviving is only the beginning. Thriving is what comes next. 

If you would like to discuss the retreat in more detail or have any questions, please contact Elizabeth Ionita at elizabeth@realfamilylaw.ca. 

To reserve your place, payment may be made by e-transfer to catherine@realfamilylaw.ca or by credit card using our online payment link:  

Make a Payment 

We look forward to welcoming you. 

-The Real Family Law Team 

 

 

Webinars & Educational Events

Expert-led conversations designed to help you navigate divorce, parenting, finances, emotional wellbeing, and life before and after separation.

Topics may include:

• Family Transitions
• Parenting
• Financial Empowerment
• Emotional Wellbeing
• Legal Education
• Personal Growth
• Relationships
• Conflict Resolution
• Wellness & Recovery
• Life After Divorce