Meet the Staff
Gayle Worden
Retreat Organizer & Co-host
Yoga Teacher RYT500
Both an art and science, Yoga for well-being requires an “inner listening”, and when practiced with intentional kindness, is a meaningful path to self-discovery. Sharing my love for the practice since 2000, you’ll find my approach heart based and enriching.
My journey of Yoga practice began, as most here in the western world, with the physical benefits of asana(postures), but I quickly discovered that asana is only one of the myriad of benefits that yoga offers. Over my many years of practice I've earned numerous certifications including in-depth teachings with Shiva Shakti School of Yoga & Healing Arts, earning my advanced yoga teaching certifications, and registering with the Yoga Alliance as a CEU provider and 500RYT.
My latest learning endeavor is with crystal sound bowls. Each bowl is tuned to one of the 7 Hindu chakras. Playing these bowls and other gentle sound instruments create a beautiful, relaxing, and healing experience.
I've also taken a course in Trauma Sensitive Yoga and incorporate the techniques I learned into every yoga class.
As I’ve matured, my yoga practice and teachings have grown into a gentle flowing style that nurtures the body while also building strength and enhancing flexibility. Pranayama (breathwork) and meditation balance asana practice and encourage connection to spirit.
kaitlyn Bouton
Co-host & LMSW-CC
Working with children and families in the foster care system as an Intensive Case Manager & advocate for therapeutic level foster children has given me a fertile ground of experience in the many facets of the human condition. This work has lead me to deepen my studies in an effort to provide support and healing for individuals who are experiencing or have experienced trauma in their lives. With my bachelor's in Mental Health & Human Services followed by a recently earned Master's of Social Work (clinical focus) from UMO, I have continued to strengthen my ability and commitment to be of service to those in need. The master's program has been a period of personal growth and self awareness and I'm excited to put my training into practice in the unique setting of a women's retreat.
My experience also includes being employed as an advocate for domestic violence survivors and crisis helpline advocate, as well as a certified Drug & Alcohol Counselor.
The skills I've gained through work and formal education enable me to offer a variety of creative methods of stress management and relaxation.
wendy weiger
Donna Kraft-smith
LMT, RYT200
Massage, Reiki, Foot Reflexology and more!
Hi. I'm Donna Kraft- Smith, LMT, and I'll be offering therapeutic bodywork sessions for relaxation at our Lily Bay Retreat. I've been a massage therapist for over 40 years and still enjoy helping people feel more comfortable in their skin! I offer a variety of styles bodywork, most of which you can explore on my website https://donnakraftsmith.amtamembers.com. I usually use an integrated approach of combining some massage with foot reflexology, acupressure, cranial sacral...whatever is needed to help you release stress. I will also be offering a Kripalu yoga class at the retreat. KRIPALU means compassionate. It will be a gentle, slow flow class to aid you in connecting your body, mind & soul. I look forward to enjoying some time at the retreat and helping you however I can
courtney maclauchlan
Facials
Courtney Maclauchlan, founder & owner of Skincare & Beauty by Courtney, assists clients in enhancing their natural beauty. With 15+ years of experience as a Maine licensed Esthetician, she has dedicated her career to helping clients achieve their best skin through personalized treatments and skincare routines. The skincare line she founded, Velvet Apothecary, came with the goal in mind to provide superior & cost effective skin care products, because she believes high quality & affordability should be able to exist together. She believes that everyone deserves to feel confident in their skin, focusing on both the health and appearance of the skin. She prides herself in her expertise, experience, and passion to help clients achieve their skincare goals & giving them the tools to help maintain them.
Experience the “Velvety Glow” Facial by Courtney Maclauchlan. Indulge in the ultimate self-care ritual with the signature Velvety Glow facial, expertly performed by licensed esthetician Courtney Maclauchlan of Skincare & Beauty by Courtney. This luxurious treatment is designed for all skin types, focusing on deep hydration and age-defying results using products from the exclusive Velvet Apothecary skincare line. Your experience begins with a soothing double cleanse, followed by gentle extractions and facial lymphatic drainage to promote circulation and detoxification. A revitalizing niacinamide and zinc infusion is applied using the galvanic tool to enhance absorption and balance the skin. Enjoy a tension-melting neck and shoulder massage, followed by a nourishing bakuchiol treatment mask and a relaxing scalp massage. To complete the experience, your skin is pampered with a peptide-rich eye cream, a luminous facial oil, and a deeply hydrating moisturizer with SPF. The Velvety Glow facial will leave your skin feeling silky-soft, radiant, and beautifully renewed.
lisa joy white
Lisa Joy White, LMSW, MA, CT is a licensed social worker, certified thanatologist, and founder of Mourning Ventures of Maine where she partners with individuals, workplaces, and communities to navigate grief as well as plan for and face life’s most difficult transitions with compassion and clarity. She brings over a decade of experience in grief care, hospice, and community education—and often incorporates creative expression, such as collage, acrylics, and mixed media, into her work to explore themes of meaning, memory, and healing. Her workshops invite curiosity, connection, and playful reflection, making space for both lightness and depth.
Stories We Carry: Exploring Identity, Memory, and Meaning Through Creative Play
This workshop offers participants a chance to reflect on who they have been, who they are now, and who they are becoming—through artistic exploration and gentle self-inquiry. Designed to be nurturing and creative, the session invites women to acknowledge past versions of themselves, honor their personal growth, and carry meaningful aspects forward into the next chapter.
The workshop is inspired by the work of Mourning Ventures of Maine and touches on themes of identity, life transitions, grief, and meaning-making without being heavy or clinical.