If your vacations or holidays leave you wanting to deck a family member rather than the halls, a family retreat may just what you need! Kidding aside, family retreats can be helpful in increasing cooperation and closeness. The process begins by Ms. Bledsoe doing a brief interview (usually by phone) with each interested family member, in order to hear concerns and goals. If there are mutually-desired goals, the plan proceeds. Most family retreats are scheduled over a two-three day interval, with approximately 4-7 hours of work scheduled (with breaks) during each day. Sometimes more or less time is needed to complete the retreat.. Depending on the number of participating family members, retreats may be held at Frances’ office, in a local family member’s home, or virtually via a secure video conferencing program.

