BA (Hons) P.G.C.E PGCert
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Debriefing
Do you need to pause and reflect on your life’s journey? Are you navigating a transition—completing a job, stepping away from a pastoral or ministerial role, or processing a significant event? If so, a debriefing retreat may offer the space you need.
In life and work, we move from one moment to the next, often without pause. A debriefing retreat offers a nurturing and confidential space to stop, reflect, and share your story—what feels most true, relevant, and important. It provides the opportunity to process past experiences—both the challenges and the positive moments—understand their impact, and gain wisdom, insight, and hope for the future.
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Our Story
Our first encounter with debriefing came during a season of significant personal transition. After 18 years in church leadership, followed by a smooth and successful succession, we—Sam and Jason—entered a time of deep reflection. As the pace slowed, we began to notice what was present—the experiences of our external landscape and how they had shaped our interior world; what had been both challenging and life-giving; how we had been formed and shaped; and what we wanted to notice and learn as we moved into a new season. We had never heard of 'debriefing retreats,' but encountering the process, alongside our rhythm of spiritual direction, was immensely helpful.
Years later, it has become our joy to create space for others who are also seeking a moment to pause and reflect. With backgrounds in church planting and leadership, and training in spiritual direction and debriefing, we are honoured to walk alongside you—holding space for your story to be heard, and for meaning, clarity, and hope to emerge.
Is Debriefing Helpful?
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Debriefing can take many forms—personal, operational, or in response to a critical incident. Each offers a unique opportunity to engage with both the internal and external aspects of your experience. Our primary focus is general personal debriefing.
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Personal debriefing invites you to reflect on key events and how they impacted you—what stood out, what was challenging, and what was most rewarding. It offers a chance to ground yourself in the present while also exploring emerging hopes and desires for the future. Where appropriate, we may also include space for prayer and identify additional support or coping strategies that could be beneficial moving forward. This process is gentle and a deeply human and reflective practice.
People tell us that they:
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Felt heard, seen, understood, and validated.
Appreciated a non-judgmental space to explore conflicts, disappointments, unfulfilled expectations, and moments of celebration and reward.
Valued the freedom to share at their own pace, with full choice over how much detail or depth to express.
Gained insight, wisdom, and learning for their personal and professional lives moving forward.
Experienced a greater sense of closure and a lightening of emotional burdens and overwhelm.
Became more aware of healthy coping strategies for continued self-care.
Experienced renewed focus and capacity to re-engage with the future.
Felt empowered and encouraged.​
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Personal debriefing is not therapy, an investigation, or a clinical intervention; rather, it is a pause, a reflective space offered at a meaningful moment. It is also not a forum for management or leadership to gather information, assess performance, or address issues. What is shared remains confidential. Importantly, debriefing isn’t reserved for moments of crisis. It is a restorative practice—an intentional act of self-care and reflection that supports well-being, not a last resort when all else has failed.
Testimonials
We had been Vineyard Church pastors for over 25 years when, in 2024, we felt called to step down and pass on the leadership of our local church to others. While the transition process was smooth, affirming, and trouble-free, suddenly not being in pastoral ministry—not being responsible—felt very strange.
Sam and Jason provided space for us to talk through our history, exploring both the hurt and disappointment, as well as the joy and moments of deep gratitude.
We chose to meet on two Saturdays, spaced a few months apart. This approach worked very well for us as a couple. In the first session, we reflected on the past and allowed time for everything to settle and consolidate. By the second, we were able to engage with fresh thoughts that had surfaced, and then look ahead—dreaming about where God might be leading us next.
Sam and Jason hosted us beautifully in their home. It was safe, comfortable, and the food was delicious. They are compassionate listeners, offering plenty of space and freedom. They asked insightful questions and intuitively knew when to leave us in silence to think, or to step back and allow us space to process as a couple. At times, they offered prayer; at others, they gently led us into God’s presence to bring our reflections before Him. Sometimes, they simply left us alone or encouraged us to take a walk.
It was a hugely beneficial process. We both felt we had given proper attention to the closing of a chapter and now look forward with openness and hope to what could be next.
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D&E House
After six and a half years of church planting, including leading through the pandemic, my wife and I decided to take a sabbatical. Our first port of call was to spend a day with Sam and Jason to debrief the previous few years and tell the story so far. We found this experience to be extraordinarily worthwhile!
Sam and Jason listened with love and humour, helped us to identify how and what God had been saying over the years, and to chat through some of the hurts we were carrying. Sam and Jason were insightful with their comments, helping to draw answers out of us rather than imposing their opinions, but they were also extremely generous with encouragement. We left feeling seen, loved, encouraged and empowered. We also felt lighter than air! We would do it again in a heartbeat
D&E Smith
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What Does It Cost?
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The cost of our debriefing sessions is outlined below. Each setting is designed with flexibility in mind, shaped around the unique needs and circumstances of those we support. We invite you to connect with us to explore how we can best serve you.
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Debriefing is not a process to be rushed. Research suggests that time and space are essential for it to be truly effective. Depending on your situation, sessions may take place over a single day or unfold across a longer period. We will work with you to create a structure and pace that suit your journey, allowing it to unfold with the depth and care it deserves. If time is limited, we can offer preparation materials in advance to help ensure the session is as meaningful and impactful as possible.
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All sessions are available online or in person.
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One-to-One Debriefing
Held with one debriefer
4-hour online £200.00 pp
In-person day retreat (Lunch & Refreshments Included) £275.00
Couples Debriefing
Held with two debriefers
5-hour online £500.00 per couple
One-day in-person retreat (Lunch & Refreshments Included) £650.00
Additional Half Day (Refreshments Included) £300.00
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Group Debriefing
Facilitated with two debriefers
Please Enquire
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Additional Costs
Travel Expenses: Calculated based on your location
Accommodation: If your debriefing requires an overnight stay, we can recommend local hotels or B&BS
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If something in this offering resonates with you, we’d love to invite you to an informal conversation.
Debriefing is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and reconnect with what matters most. We would be honoured to walk alongside you.