Founder’s Story
We’re Allison and Amanda—best friends since 5th grade, proud moms, and longtime believers in the power of connection and community. Our friendship has grown alongside us, shaped by shared values, mutual support, and a deep commitment to caring for others.
Amanda is a licensed psychologist in New York and Connecticut who specializes in working with adolescents. For over 15 years, she has supported teens through the emotional challenges of growing up. She saw a growing need for an experience that nurtures emotional well-being beyond the therapy room. When she shared this vision with Allison—her business-savvy best friend—it immediately resonated.
Together, we combined our passions, strengths, and shared history to bring that vision to life. Good Vibez Teen Retreats is the result: a heartfelt collaboration rooted in friendship, girlhood, and a genuine desire to help teens feel grounded, healthy, and confident.
Our team
Cece Thomas
Cece is a local yoga teacher who leads classes, workshops and retreats - sharing her love of movement and mindfulness with all ages from toddlers and teens to adults and seniors. She believes that movement is medicine and encourages her students to tune into their bodies, be present, and build confidence from within. She is passionate about creating a supportive, uplifting space where everyone can relax, be themselves, have some fun, and leave feeling a little lighter than before. 💗
Chef Robyn
Welcome to Chef Robyn’s kitchen! A dedicated culinary instructor, Chef Robyn empowers teenagers to build independence and self-expression through cooking. With real-world experience instructing at Wakeman Town Farm and the Zwilling Cooking Studio, developing curriculums for the Horizons summer program, and coaching private clients, she brings professional expertise to every class. Rather than just following recipes, her students master culinary fundamentals, advanced kitchen safety, and flavor balancing to create healthy, crave-worthy meals from scratch. In any setting, Chef Robyn inspires young adults to take ownership of their food and gain practical life skills they will carry into adulthood.
Chef Laura
Want to learn how to cook like a pro? Chef Laura has over 30 years of experience ruling the kitchen! A culinary school grad, she has cooked in top LA restaurants, served celebrity clients, and designed professional chef training programs.
What She Brings to the Kitchen:
• Real-World Skills: Master the secrets of professional chefs, broken down so they are easy and fun to learn at home.
• Food That Fuels You: Learn to make meals that are fresh, energy-boosting, and awesome for your mood—plus plenty of indulgent treats!
• Allergy-Friendly: Got food allergies? No problem. She knows exactly how to tweak recipes so you don't miss out on any flavor.
Now bringing her epic LA food expertise to Good Vibez Retreats, Chef Laura is ready to help you crush it in the kitchen. When she's off duty, she’s hanging with her four adult kids and one very needy dog!