You are invited to the second official Santa Cruz Gathering hosted by the

       North America Transactional Analysis Association

"Back to Berne"

July 20 - 26, 2026, at Villa Maria Del Mar, Santa Cruz, California.

This is a time of renewal, learning, and community at a stunning oceanside retreat center. 

As soon as you arrive, you experience a warm welcome, comfortable accommodations, and engaging exchanges.

Whether you are new to TA or a longtime practitioner, there will be plenty of stimulation for your mind, body, and spirit.

CE credits for psychotherapists and counselors are available through APA and NBCC. 

Details and registration below. 

The Program

The program begins with a community meeting to connect and plan for the structured and self-organizing aspects of the week. The NATAA tradition of Gatherings is to have some pre-planned meetings and excursions and to reserve the remainder of the time for presentations, discussions, process groups, and personal reflection. We will have a meeting about organizational business during the week. Attendees will be able to attend or take that time for the beach or an excursion.

See the preliminary schedule below. Mealtimes are fixed, and meetings will take place indoors and outdoors, in the meeting room with all amenities, or in the dining room between meals.

Location

Our meeting place is the Monterey Bay coast of the Pacific Ocean, at a privately-run retreat center with limited lodging onsite as well as optional bookings at nearby motels. It is approximately one hour and fifteen minutes from the San Jose Mineta International Airport and one hour and a half from San Francisco International Airport.

The oceanside setting is conducive to self-care and renewal. In August, the weather in Santa Cruz can be sunny or foggy, and it is beautiful in any case. The beach is more for walking than for swimming unless one has a wetsuit.

Some participants may want to tour Eric Berne’s neighborhood and gravesite in Carmel and Pebble Beach on the Monterey Peninsula. Our schedule will include an afternoon off, which would allow enough time. We can arrange group transportation or you may want to rent a car for touring in the area.

Lodging / Meals

Residents at the Villa Maria Del Mar will have all meals included, starting with dinner on Monday and closing with lunch on Sunday. Non-resident participants will be able to book lodging nearby. Meals are included in your fee. Santa Cruz is a thriving tourist destination, so there is much to see and do.

Booking at the Villa Maria Del Mar is all-in, with arrival on Monday, July 20th, between 4 and 5 PM and departure by 2:30 on Sunday, July 26th. It is a retreat center, so there are specific hours for meals and nighttime quiet. The other options at nearby motels include double rooms, some with kitchenettes, a short walk or ride away. If you wish to arrive sooner or stay later, booking at the hotel is advised, the earlier the better, as it is a very active tourist area. Free parking is available at the retreat center. 

Fees

There are mostly double rooms with twin beds at the retreat center. Some singles are available. Rooms have ensuite bathrooms.

• Single occupancy, including meals, $1895 pp  
• Double occupancy including meals, $1595 pp
• TA 101 Only - includes meals, not lodging, July 21-22. $395 pp. Lodging is available for two or three nights for an additional fee. Click here for information and to register.
• Day-Pass Only - (Attend during the day, stay elsewhere) - includes meals and TA 101 (if you choose), does not include lodging, $1295 pp 

Preliminary Schedule for Santa Cruz Gathering 7/20 – 7/26/2026

Monday, July 20, 2026

• 4-5 PM Check in
• 6 PM Dinner 
• 7-9 PM Conference Opener/Vision Sharing for the time spent together

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

• 8:00 – 8:45 AM Breakfast
• 9-10:15 AM Opening Circle
• 10:15-10:30 AM Break
• 10:30 AM -12:30 PM Gathering Session / TA101 Session
• 12:30-1:15 PM Lunch
• 1-3:30 PM TA 101 Session
• 1:30 - 3:30 PM Gathering Session
• 3:30-4 PM Break
• 4-6 PM Gathering Session / TA101 Session
• 6 pm Dinner

Wednesday, July 22, 2026

• 8:00 – 8:45 AM Breakfast
• 9-9:45 AM Opening Circle
• 10 AM -12 PM Gathering Session
• 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM - TA101 Session
• 12:30-1:30 PM Lunch
• 1-4:30 PM TA101 Session
• 1:30 - 3:30 PM Gathering Session
• 3:30-4 PM Break
• 4-6 PM Gathering Session
• 6 PM Dinner

Thursday, July 23, 2026

• 8:00 – 8:45 AM Breakfast
• 9-9:45 AM Opening Circle
• 10 AM -12 PM Gathering Session
• 12:30-1:15 PM Lunch
• Free time/Field Trips
• 6 PM Dinner

Friday, July 24, 2026

• 8:00 – 8:45 AM Breakfast
• 9-9:45 AM Opening Circle
• 10 AM -12:00 PM Gathering Session
• 12:30-1:15 PM Lunch
• 1:30- 3:30 PM Gathering Session
• 3:45-5:45 PM Gathering Session (Creative activities)
• 6 pm Dinner

Saturday, July 25, 2026

• 8:00 – 8:45 AM Breakfast
• 9 AM -12 PM NATAA Council and General meeting
• 12:30-1:15 PM Lunch
• 1:30 to 3:30 Gathering Session
• 6 PM Dinner
• 7 PM Optional Evening Out

Sunday, July 26, 2026

• 8:00 – 8:45 AM Breakfast, check out of rooms.
• 9-9:45 AM Opening Circle
• 9:45 - 11:15 AM Gathering Session
• 11:15 AM - 12 PM Closing Circle
• 12 - 12:45 PM Lunch
• Leave by 2:30 PM