At Emersion Intensives our values start with our team.
We will never ask you to do something we haven’t already done MULTIPLE times until we know it’s both SAFE & EFFECTIVE
At Emersion Intensives, we believe in the transformative power of wellness.
With over 20+ years of combined experience in the fields of mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual health, we’ve dedicated ourselves to curating life-changing retreats designed to give you the tools, community, and support you need to thrive.
Our retreats, or intensives, are built on evidence-based practices and guided by expert clinicians. Each program is tailored to focus on a specific mental health topic, blending therapeutic models with integrative health and nutrition, holistic bodywork, and spiritual modalities. This multi-faceted approach allows us to meet the diverse needs of our participants, creating a deeply personal and healing experience for every individual.
When you join one of our intensives, it’s more than just a getaway—it’s a full immersion into wellness. From nature
excursions to hands-on workshops, our retreats are designed to expand your boundaries, physically and mentally, while
offering the guidance and support needed to foster lasting change. Each retreat is all-inclusive, so you can fully commit
to the process without worrying about the details. Tuition covers almost everything—accommodations, meals,
transportation, and even a comprehensive welcome email with a video, itinerary, meal menu, and packing list. All you
have to do is book your own flight. And once you arrive, we equip you with everything from journals and workbooks to art
and workshop supplies.
why we do what we do
We believe that by putting the right tools in the hands of those ready to take the first step, we help co-create a healthier environment—not just for you, but for your family and community as well. Personal growth is powerful, and when you make a life-changing decision to better yourself, the results ripple outward. As you embrace freedom and joy, those around you are inspired to reflect on their own lives, creating a cycle of positive change.
We all want happiness, but for many, it feels out of reach. That’s why we’re here—to remind you that real, meaningful change is possible. By investing in yourself, you unlock the potential for greater purpose, fulfillment, and enthusiasm for life. Our journey with health is lifelong, and there is no better time than the present to begin yours. Success, achievements, and accolades may fade, but what remains is you—the essence of who you are. And when you ask yourself, “Do I like who I am?”, we hope the answer is a confident “Yes.” But if, like many, you feel there’s room for growth, that’s okay. It’s never too late to begin again.
our approach
We understand that life is filled with challenges, and it takes immense bravery to face them every day. The good news is that limitations are often just constructs of perception—and perceptions can change. We invite you to join us in exploring the ways you can break free from the barriers holding you back.
Our retreats aren’t just a break from the ordinary—they’re a gateway to transformation. With the support of nature, expert clinicians, and a like-minded community, we guide you through experiences that challenge your perceptions and help you rewrite your narrative.
our promise
Give us a week, and we will give you community, tools, adventure, and solutions to change your life. At Emersion Intensives, we believe the most important journey you can take is the one inward, and we’re honored to guide you every step of the way.
You want
change. We’re
here to help
you achieve it.
JIM is most proud of the beautiful family he’s created. He’s in this for them. and he’s in this because before you heard of this company, he was already thinking about how to make your life better
jim phillips, ceo
Jim’s background is in creating and building growing businesses, particularly those in behavioral health and addiction recovery. Through that experience, Jim saw firsthand how so many people were not getting the results they expected, or maybe not even getting in to see the therapist they wanted.
He created Emersion Intensives to directly address those issues. In the process, he fell in love with the work of Dr. Bandura, especially his research on self-efficacy – that power we all have inside of us that can facilitate the changes we desire.
Jim hopes that Emersion Intensives can bring to life Dr. Bandura’s work. As a strong believer in religious practice, Jim is fascinated with how people for millennia have gone to nature to seek out and wrestle with God. Our methodology captures the power of both this academic and spiritual work to deliver a high potency outcome for our participants.
Jim lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three children, and relies on his contemplative prayer practice to get him through each day.
this is KM franks. she’s our head of markeitng and admissions and she’s most excited in life when pursuing something she believes in. sHe’s in this for passion.
KM Franks, director of marketing & admissions
Hailing from Nashville, TN, KM brings a diverse background in depth psychology, multidisciplinary arts, sales and marketing to the Emersion Intensives team. KM is mother to one son, River, and one puppy, Willoughby. She is passionate about family, human rights, mental and physical wellness, and philosophy. She graduated from an intensive mental, physical, and spiritual leadership academy, Twentyfourseven, in 2002 at the age of 19 with multiple 10k+ft mountains summited, an Iron Man, Eco Challenge, and Survival Training under her belt. She also graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in 2006 with a performance art degree, and later graduated from Middle Tennessee State University in 2012 with a Psychology degree. Her career has spanned theater and film, residential real estate sales, and account and project management within marketing agencies where she curated brand launches, storytelling, social platform strategy and marketing initiatives to grow small to enterprise level accounts.
Being a natural mental health advocate, KM spent her developmental years investing in
humanitarian aid, serving underprivileged communities and learning from diverse cultural lenses. She further incorporated that multicultural lens into performance art that focused on historical and indigenous storytelling. Her interest in depth psychology led her to courses on archetypal psychology and internal family systems. And her interest in narrative storytelling led her to develop an ability to use storytelling and branding to launch marketing strategies for companies across verticals.
Here at Emersion Intensives. KM is your go-to contact. She will guide you from admissions
through every step of your retreat journey.
this is Garrety hudkins. he leads our nature excursions. he’s in this to see you grow. he knows that will a little confidence, you can surprise yourself.
garrety hudkins, nature excursions lead.
Garrety grew up amidst the majestic Rocky Mountains, and was fortunate to have a backyard that’s every nature enthusiast’s dream. From his earliest memories, he’s been drawn to the beauty of Colorado. Hiking, backpacking, and camping are not just hobbies; they are his way of
life, which is why he founded Colorado Outdoor Recovery Expeditions (CORE). Whether it’s summiting a challenging peak, setting up camp in the serene wilderness, or running the rugged trails, he finds his solace and joy in the embrace of nature. He a passion for wildlife photography, and being up close and personal with Grizzlies in remote Alaska is a personal favorite photoshoot he will never forget!
His life’s journey has also led him down the path of recovery. Overcoming personal challenges has given Garrety a profound empathy for others facing difficulties. He’s passionate about supporting and inspiring those on their own journey to find hope, healing, and a renewed sense of purpose, and he firmly believes in the power of living in the present moment. The wilderness
teaches us to appreciate the now, to let go of worries and distractions, and to find peace in the simplicity of the present.
Whether it’s sharing outdoor tips, recovery insights, or the beauty of the natural world, Garrety’s goal is to inspire and help others reach new heights. Life’s challenges may be tough, but together, we can overcome them.
Our Participant Feedback
This retreat was the breakthrough I was seeking…It was like summer camp, but instead of camp counselors teaching us archery, our incredible guide helped me and 8 men find and process our feelings. You come home having met some lifelong friends and you feel like you’ve grown as a person as well.
– Noah S
What an accepting and kind group! It’s funny; when someone else was sharing their story, I actually related to so much of It. It was like Listening to myself. I learned a lot by listening to others. If you feel drawn to this, I strongly urge you to sign up!! You may be surprised by your takeaways.
– Larissa C
– Tammy B
Upcoming Intensives
Mastering You Hormone Health with PCOS: a PCOS Healing Intensive
April 2025, SoCal
- Group Therapy
- 4D/3N Queen private room
- All meals
- Paddleboard & Nature Walk
- Nutrition Education
FREE: A Resilience Retreat with Amanda Knox
Coming 2025, TBD
- Inspirational Talks
- 4D/3N Twin share room
- All meals
- Movement therapy
- City Tour
Couples Work
Coming Soon
- Group Therapy
- 4D/3N Queen private room
- All meals
- Hiking and Bike tour
- Couples Yoga
Do you have Questions?
We have answers! We understand that the process of healing, recovery, integration, and optimal health is truly sacred and a combination of mental, emotional and spiritual concepts. We respect each unique path. Maybe you’ve tried and struggled with something for years. It is our hope that we will be a part of your journey, and that we will help you break through. With that goal in mind, we have sought out top experts with a strong background in treating their intensive focus. We are passionate about wellness, mental health, high performance, and longevity. Our participants are committed and showing up ready to do their work and grow, ready to hold compassionate space for others, and ready to try new things. If this sounds like you, then please reach out and let’s get you set up! An adventure awaits!