Lyn Varty
Founder of Pause Retreats
Lyn is the founder of Pause Retreats and the CEO of Connections Healthcare Centre.
She created a nurturing space where women are welcome just as they are, to unplug, to just be, to relax, recharge and reconnect to self and God. A safe haven away from the busyness, demands, responsibilities and pressures of life.
Lyn has found over the last 30 years that it is extremely beneficial and vital to take time out, to be still and surrender. God has ministered, healed, restored, encouraged, inspired, and given her creative ideas, refreshed and drawn her closer to the Heavenly Father, where He has showered her in His love and grace.
It is extremely beneficial and vital to take time out to nourish our physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. It is not God’s desire for us to go through the motions and merely survive but he wants us to thrive.
She is still learning and growing in how to practice the presence of God, being still and hearing God’s gentle still voice. She has found it is a discipline and commitment to set time aside to be with her Heavenly Father.
Lyn loves creating space to hang out with God, to pause, be still and surrender. Where your mind, body and soul will be nurtured; a space to re-centre, reconnect, replenish, recharge, and realign to self and God.
What Attendees are Saying about Pause Retreats
Pause Retreat in Rockingham
Two-Day Pause Retreat at St. John of God Retreat Centre at Shoalwater
9:30am of Fri 19th June 2026 to 12:00pm of Sun 21st June 2026
Cost: $750
(Secure your booking with a $100 non-refundable deposit. Payment Plan Available.)
Add-ons will be charged separately.
What is included in my two-day retreat?
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Accommodation, either Seaview unit, house, or single dorm
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All meals, morning, and afternoon tea
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Decadent morning tea upon arrival
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Welcome gift
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Friday
New Attendees: 2 Interactive Workshops: Solitude, Silence, and Being Still
Previous Attendees: 2 Advance Workshops: Deeper Look at Solitude, Stillness and Silence
Embracing God's Love
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Saturday
2 Interactive Workshops:
Loving God with All Our Heart, Mind, and Soul
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Sunday
1 Interactive Workshop:
“In the words of Jesus” with meditative prayer and closing circle
Pause Retreats Reflections are designed to have a holistic approach: reflective, biblical, scripture, prayer, creative, thought provoking (cognitive) and to be aware of what emotions come up during this time (emotional intelligence).
Prior to attending your retreat, you will receive an information and preparation email.
Workshops
Five Interactive Workshops TBC
The five interactive workshops will cover nurture, self-care, running and rest, the importance of seeking a balanced life, and monitoring the dashboard. Being still, the meaning of being still, how to enter into stillness and God’s presence, the obstacles that prevent us from entering the state of being still, the benefits of being still, and seeking solitude. We will be reflecting on the power of Jesus' words, with the opportunity to meditate and allow Jesus to minister to you.
These workshops will be interactive, practical, and informative with Q & A at the end of each session with time for application and practice.
Note: Previous attendees will have the opportunity to attend other workshops on the Friday. This a special session with Lyn, digging deeper into solitude, surrender, and being still and prayer.
Personal Reflection Time
During your Pause Retreat, you will have plenty of time to hang out with God, reflect, process, and pray. To rest, to be replenished.
Take a moment to enter a space of solitude and silence, to examine our hearts, to see our sin, flaws, to struggle, to know, understand ourselves and surrender.
It is in times like this that we experience the redemptive, restorative healing power, and intimacy of our Lord Jesus Christ. To sit back and bask in God’s presence reduces us to tears where joy, pain, freedom meet together; a time of being overwhelmed with God’s love and grace. A time to be revitalised, refreshed, and renewed.
The schedule will be provided on arrival.
Counselling
Add-on a session with Lyn - FULLY BOOKED
Discounted Rate for 2-Day Retreat only at $90
Original price $130+GST (30% exclusive discount)
To enhance and complement your retreat, book a 50-minute counselling session with Lyn. This is an opportunity to answer any questions that have come up during your stay, to dig a bit deeper, to talk about something that you are struggling with, to receive prayer, etc.
She brings a wealth of personal and professional experience into a therapeutic counselling session along with deep empathy, compassion, and wisdom.
Massage Therapy
Add-on a session with Tamala Bosveld
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Hour Table Massage
45-min for $75 or 30-min for $60
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Chair Massage (over clothing on a specially designed chair during the Pause Retreat workshops)
10-min for $15 or 15-min for $20
Book a private massage therapy session with Tamala Bosveld at a special participant rate.
With over 10 years of experience as a massage therapist, Tamala takes great pride in providing relief from daily pain and stress. Her training encompasses Remedial, Oncology, Deep Tissue, Trigger Point, Swedish Relaxation, and Therapeutic Treatment Massage. She listens carefully to each client and tailor sessions according to individual needs, always prioritizing comfort.
Tamala’s mission is to not only improve the quality of life for her clients but also to educate them on the long-term benefits and overall wellbeing that massage and bodywork can offer. Working beyond superficial tissues, she addressed deeper underlying issues to create effective treatment plans. Through careful assessment, evaluation, and personalized treatment, Tamala aims to help each of her client achieve their wellness goals.
Creative Workshop
Add-on a free session with Carmen Mears
The 60-minute creative workshop embraces the diverse expressions of individuals, offering a variety of modes and materials to inspire. Carmen will provide guidance as needed, walking alongside each participant as they explore their concepts in a relaxed environment.
Carmen is a Creative Coach whose primary value is fostering healthy relationships, which transcend her deep love for family and friends. Teaching has been her chosen career path, and her life is guided by creativity, a love of nature, and a commitment to nurturing herself and those around her.
She is a devoted Mother to four young children and finds joy in balancing family life with her personal interests. She has a passion for Pilates and walking, which help her stay active and centered. She enjoys cooking and eating nutritious meals, alongside expressing her creativity through playing the piano, singing, and exploring various art forms. Additionally, she leads the singing sessions at playgroup, sharing her love for music with the community.
Types of Accommodation
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Single Dorm room with Ensuite
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Seaview Unit with queen bed and Ensuite
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Seaview Unit with single bed shared bathroom with one other person
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Unit 43B with 5 bedrooms and 3 bathrooms (group booking only for 5+, each room has two single beds)
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What can I expect on my first appointment?On your first appointment, you will meet with an experienced therapist who will mainly focus on assessment; time will be spent exploring what brings you to counselling, your counsellor and you will work together to identify your goals. This will include decisions on frequency of appointments and the possible number of sessions required to reach these goals.
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Do I have to be religious to use these services?No, our clients come from a wide variety of religious and cultural backgrounds. The Counsellors at Connections Counselling are Christian Counsellors and can incorporate faith into your counselling sessions, if you desire. The benefits of counselling: A counsellor will provide support, encouragement and guidance. You will have the opportunity to tell your story in a confidential space without criticism or judgment. The benefits of counselling can lead to greater self-awareness, insight and strength to face the challenges of life, to find hope and meaning. The therapy/counselling process helps people get “unstuck”. Through the development of insight and increased self awareness, people are able to gain a better understanding of their own behavior and the issues, feelings and events that motivate them.
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What are your fees?It is heart and goal to provide an affordable and assessable, professional counselling and psychology service based on a sliding scale in proportion to combined household income. Our Fees Range from: Counsellors’ fees $125.00+ Psychologists’ fees range from $192.00 - $222.00 Couples and Family Counselling range from $160.00 - 180.00 Please note: When you see a psychologist, you are eligible for a Medicare rebate if you have a current Mental Health Care Plan from your GP. Medicare rebate amount is $92.90. For your comparison, the recommend fees by the professional governing bodies of counsellors and psychologist are indicated below: · Australian Psychological Society (APS) recommends standard fee is $311.00. · Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) recommended fee is from $100 - $160 per hour. Fees are automatically deducted from your nominated credit/debit card one day prior to your appointment. Available to see National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) clients. Please contact us if you want your precise fee amount via 08 6244 3241.
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Are you accepting NDIS clients?Yes, we are available to see National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) clients.
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How long is a counselling session?Each counselling and psychotherapy session lasts for 50 minutes.
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Are sessions confidential?The information that you will supply will be kept confidential and may only be released to a third party with your written authority, except when: - It is subpoenaed by a court - If a client is at risk of harming themselves or someone else Even in these circumstances, every effort will be made to gain your written consent.
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How do I pay for my counselling session?Fees are automatically deducted from your nominated credit/debit card 30 minutes into your session. Your credit/debit is securely encrypted in our system. No cash transactions are available.
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What if I want to cancel an appointment?You are welcome to cancel your appointment at anytime. A full fee will be charged for late cancellation and missed appointments if 48 hours notice is not given.
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Do I need a referral?You are welcome to self-refer to our counselling service. Many of our clients seek our services via word of mouth recommendations, referrals, and internet-based searches. GP Mental Health Care Plans are available through your GP. Please contact us for further information via 08 6244 3241.
