Couples therapy, Thailand
When a relationship is on the rocks, a holiday can be make or break time. Instead of seeking help while you're at home and busy with other commitments, devote a full week to working on your relationship, whether you're struggling with a specific problem such as an affair, or just have a nagging sense that you're not as happy as you could be. You'll spend 16 hours with your counsellor, and get 12 weeks of follow-up advice online. The retreat is based at boutique hotels in Chiang Mai, Hua Hin or Koh Samui.
• From £1,100 a couple, including transfers, seven nights' accommodation and therapy (thelifechangepeople.com) but not flights
Lose your phobia, Bristol
Always wanted to visit Australia but too scared of the creepy-crawlies? Perhaps it's time to spend a day at Bristol Zoo tackling your fears. The zoo offers a dedicated course, Living with Spiders, in its education centre, run by a qualified counsellor and hypnotherapist. It lasts up to four hours and includes a variety of approaches to overcoming arachnophobia, including talks, relaxation, hypnotherapy and an optional meeting with some (friendly) spiders. There is a similar course for victims of ophidiophobia (fear of snakes), subject to demand.
• £95; next spider courses 24 January and 20 March (0117 974 7369, bristolzoo.org.uk)
Yoga (and dating), Goa, India
Escape the commercialism of Valentine's Day on a yoga retreat in Goa. You could take your partner with you for a romantic break, go alone and indulge in some me-time, or keep your eyes peeled for a sexy classmate – apparently several couples have met on this Quantum yoga course, which focuses on a dynamic, flowing form of yoga, influenced by Ayurveda. It takes place at the Harmonic eco-retreat overlooking Patnem beach. On Valentine's Day itself you'll explore an ancient Portuguese fort, chill out around a barbecue on a beautiful private beach and take part in a sunset yoga class. Accommodation is booked separately and choices range from beach huts to a five-star hotel.
• £950, including all yoga, brunch, two massages and two excursions, but excluding accommodation and flights; 8-22 February (07957 418597, quantumyoga.com)
Find peace, Herefordshire
Those that have done a silence retreat claim amazing results – the first few days are tough and your mind races, but then you have so much time to think through your issues that you come out feeling free, calm and happy. A 10-day silent Vipassana meditation retreat at the Dhamma Dipa in Herefordshire involves a process of "self-purification by self-observation", to help you to eradicate suffering and tension, feel liberated and able to face your problems in a calm way. There's no religious element, and no charge, though those who've completed the course usually make a donation.
• dipa.dhamma.org
Become more spiritual, Moray
The Findhorn Foundation, east of Inverness, describes itself as "a spiritual community, eco village and an international centre for holistic learning, helping to unfold a new human consciousness and create a positive and sustainable future". Visitors are welcome to spend a week there. On four mornings you work in the gardens or buildings, and participate in meditation, sacred dance and nature outings. Laughter and love are apparently an integral part of the experience – so you will need to put aside your cynicism.
• From £425, including accommodation and all meals; experience weeks run regularly through the year (findhorn.org)
Join an artistic community, Germany
Spending time with creative people who are living a very different life could inspire you to make a change, or at least make a bit of artwork. There are dozens of retreats run by artists among the many free volunteer placements on the Workaway website (workaway.info). The idea is that you work in return for food and board. Some projects are setting up alternative accommodation for travellers, some are creative communes, and many are looking for creative types to volunteer and join their community. Examples include an international art research centre in Germany near Uckermark (workaway.info/7967513794ce-en.html) which is calling for people with skills to help with art production and research, maintenance of its castle site and dealing with tourists.
Be inspired, Cardigan, Pembrokeshire
The Do Lectures is a small event for big thinkers, with lectures by 30 speakers covering everything from business and technology to sport and design, designed to impart knowledge and inspire the audience to do something. Held at the lovely fforest Farm in Cilgerran on 25-29 April, it has space for 80 people to attend, and accommodation in furnished tents is included, as are live music and food. Tickets aren't cheap at £1,500, but if it changes your life, it could be worth it.
• dolectures.com/the-event
