Join us for...

Bring Your Dream Project to Life:

  Teaching, Training, Presenting

A professional development retreat
✦ Monroe, WA ✦
July 29 - August 2, 2026

Bring your dream project to life

You have something you want to share with the world — an idea, an approach, a passion project. 

But public speaking can be intimidating,  and curriculum development and teaching are seriously complex skills to hone. You can spend years applying, revising, postponing and second-guessing — without the expert guidance and honest feedback you need to forge an effective path forward. 

Or you can get your learning curve out of the way in a warm, supportive community where it’s safe to try new things, with support, tools, and answers to help you get unstuck. Save yourself the struggle, and start making your dream a reality. 

Let us accelerate your trajectory.

We’ll give you the roadmap to bring your idea from dream to action — and help you build the specific skills you need to carry it over the finish line with confidence. You’ll come home focused, nourished, and connected to a new network of creative, motivated peers.

Become a truly engaging teacher, trainer, and presenter 

Most mental health professionals are not trained as teachers, presenters, or curriculum developers — and yet we often find ourselves in these roles. Good training can save years of learning from the school of hard knocks. 

This retreat is the result of many years of education and life experience, and the synergy between Fiona and Martha. We want you to bring your dreams to life — more efficiently, effectively, and with a strong sense of direction as you embark on your new adventures.

You’ll discover how to… 

  • Break a complex idea down into digestible chunks
  • Guide your audience to “aha” moments 
  • Provide the right amount of material for the right length of time 
  • Craft truly engaging presentations; no more boring powerpoints!
  • Write an effective presentation proposal
  • Solicit feedback that truly helps you grow 
  • Handle that feedback well — learn to love the good, the bad, and the ugly 

Together, we’ll try new things, get creative, and learn by doing. Let us show you the way — through experiential learning to ensure that the growth stays with you for the long haul.

 

Learn from two therapists who made the leap into a career
as teachers, trainers, and presenters:

Martha Kauppi, LMFT, CST-S (she/they) is a marriage and family therapist, educator, AASECT-certified sex therapist and supervisor, and senior trainer of the Developmental Model of Couples Therapy. 

As the founding director of the Institute for Relational Intimacy, Martha’s dream is to debunk the myths that disrupt intimate connections between partners, and help create a world where it is easy to find caring professionals who work effectively with intimacy challenges of all kinds. To that end, she’s explored every avenue her creativity suggested — from online courses to consultation circles, in-person retreats, presentations, articles, vlogs and more. She is the author of the first clinical textbook on consensual non-monogamy, Polyamory: A Clinical Toolkit for Therapists (and Their Clients).

Therapy is a third career for Martha, but she’s been teaching for much longer. In her first career as a midwife, she replaced herself many times over by developing a 600-hour curriculum based on roleplay. In fact, Martha has taught every skill she’s ever cultivated, from folk dancing as a teenager to multiple artforms including glassblowing, life drawing, portraiture, and more.   

When not training, recording, or consulting, Martha can be found in her art studio, garden, sauna, or in the kitchen making a nice soup.

Fiona E. O’Farrell, Ph.D., LMFT, CST-S (they/them) is a clinical sexologist and sex educator with over 15 years of experience in relational sex therapy and anti-oppressive pedagogy. As an AASECT-certified Sex Educator, Therapist, and Supervisor Fiona is dedicated to supporting emerging clinicians in expanding their practice through clinical training and supervision. 


Fiona’s research centers improvement to clinical training standards through the integration of developmental frameworks and consent into andragogical design. Their clinical practice focuses on supporting clients in full-spectrum identity work and relational growth from an intersectional, transfeminist, and queer perspective.


When not thinking, dreaming, and teaching about sexuality, Fiona enjoys skiing, hiking, biking, hosting glitter parties, and watching their pets make mischief. 

What you'll get...

  • 3.5 days of in-person training in a beautiful retreat space
  • Lots of personal attention (participants capped at 18)
  • All-inclusive package: we’ll cover your lodging, meals, and provide a shuttle from an accessible location in Seattle to the retreat location
  • 20 AASECT CEs*
  • A clear roadmap to making your idea a reality 
  • Increased fluency in multiple presentation styles
*This program meets the requirements of the American Association of Sexuality Educators, Counselors, and Therapists (AASECT) and is approved for 20 CE credits. These CE credits may be applied toward AASECT certification and renewal of certification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Class size is extremely limited. Apply ASAP for the best chance at getting a spot.

Apply Here!

Application form

What People Are Saying

The IRI in-person training retreat was incredible!  The IRI team was helpful, warm, gracious and seemed genuinely focused on my learning experience.  I deeply appreciated how open and accessible Martha was during the training, which is not always the case at these types of gatherings.  Spending time with her and learning from her was powerful.  The open and warm environment was really incredible.  The complete lack of judgement and the care that the team showed for our needs and experience were something I've never experienced at other in-person trainings.

Scott Ferguson, LCSW - New York, New York

The IRI in-person training retreat was truly fantastic; it was an A+ in my book. My goal was to spend time with Martha, learning from her so I could go home and channel my 'inner Martha' in a way that would help my clients grow and live better lives. Goal achieved!  

Martha single handedly has helped me grow as a therapist more than any person I've learned with -- she inspires me to want to be my best and she makes it possible for me to feel safe, make mistakes, and keep risking and trying new things.  She's truly the best teacher I've ever had in my life in any setting – hands down.

Grenda David, LMFT, CST - Camarillo, CA

I enjoy Martha’s teaching style and the authenticity of the way she approaches problems with her clients. I love how she values transparency and making the work easier on clinicians in an effort to avoid burnout. 


The IRI team created a good environment and really set the stage for relationship building. I made connections and shared good times and laughs with fellow therapists. I realized that I’d been missing connection, and I feel very grateful for the experience.

Paige Evans, LMFT - Harrisburg, OR