HEALING RETREAT

For Survivors of Childhood Sexual Trauma

Upcoming Retreats:

Now is the time.

We are inviting survivors to unite and together free ourselves from the effects of trauma on our bodies, hearts, minds and spirits. This Healing Retreat offers a ceremonial container for a small group of participants to honor, grieve and celebrate the trials and triumphs in the journey of healing from childhood sexual abuse. Created for survivors by survivors, we use a holistic approach to unravel the pervasiveness of isolation, silence and shame, and to weave together our collective stories while being witness to one another’s individual experience.This retreat uses a variety of modalities to explore how childhood experiences are held in the different aspects of self and offers opportunities for release, clearing and healing through talking circles, somatic practice, movement, visualization, singing, grief ritual, and quiet integration time.

Who is the retreat for?

The Healing Retreat is for adult survivors* of childhood sexual trauma, defined as any sexual violation experienced by someone under the age of 18.The Healing Retreat is open to participants over 18 years old of all genders, racialized identities, and sexual orientations.This retreat is intended for those who have already begun their healing journey and are seeking more support by working with others within a sacred circle.*We use the term survivor, and acknowledge that this may not be the term all folks who have experienced sexual trauma may use to describe themselves.

What Participants Have To Say

"It's time, I'm ready and I don't need to carry this heavy weight alone. I kept repeating that to myself to conjure the courage to attend this Healing Retreat and I feel such pride for being brave enough to go. Experiencing the alchemy of transformation, safely and compassionately co-created by the wonderful facilitators and participants, has forever positively changed the trajectory of my life. I finally let go of so much stored trauma and also learned the tools I need to continue doing so on my own going forward as well. As a result of this Retreat I am able to be a more present parent, partner and I finally feel like I'm actually living my life instead of just observing it." ~Past participant


"I have been a recipient of this treat for the past 4 years. Each time I have experienced it there is another layer that gets revealed. I am held in love and light and there is nothing, nothing that I have to do. I so appreciate the invitation to go at my own speed of trust in my body and I do not feel pushed by anyone. That makes a huge difference because as a survivor I did not get choice. I get to have my own sovereignty. I see how this is healing to my body." ~Kris


"This is one of the most care-filled experiences I've had, and deeply supportive for me. The weaving of ceremony, nature, and community witness and support were beautiful containers for deep emotions to move through." ~Linds


"The retreat was profoundly healing. As a survivor, I carry so much shame, being in a circle with so many other people, sharing and seeing them, was a gift in my healing path. I was also appreciative that it was a gender-inclusive and queer friendly space." ~Past participant

California Retreat

January 16 - 19,  2026
River's Bend Retreat Center, Philo, California

Join our free Info Session
September 15, 2025 5:30-6:30pm PST

Retreat Location

The Healing Retreat is held at River's Bend Retreat Center, "a sanctuary that nourishes the 'roots of the movement' for Regenerative, Just culture." At the edge of two Ecosystems- Oak chaparral and coastal redwood- the land offers river access, nature trails, and beautiful indoor and outdoor gathering spaces.Rivers Bend Retreat Center is located on the territory of the Northern Pomo, in Philo, California. Find out more about River's Bend here.

Accessibility

The Healing Retreat team works to make this experience as accessible as possible. Please be in touch if you have any specific questions about accessibility.The grounds at River's Bend include paved and unpaved paths and decks with ramps. Kitchen and indoor meeting spaces are ADA accessible, as well as one lodge and one cabin. The sleeping accommodations include a couple of multi-room lodges and cabins. Accommodations can be made for those who need support getting from one place to another."

Application Process

Application period is open from September 2, 2026 through October 2, 2026.The application process includes an online questionnaire and a brief follow up call with a facilitator. Applications are processed on a first come first serve basis. There is a $50 application fee,* due at the time of application submittal. The facilitation team will work to be in touch with you about your application status within 2 weeks of receiving the application questionnaire and to schedule a short phone or video call. Upon hearing an acceptance from the facilitation team, you will have one week to confirm or decline your participation.**

Please note:

  • If accepted to the Healing Retreat, your $50 application fee will be applied to your retreat tuition.

  • If you choose to withdraw your participation within one week of receiving acceptance, or if your application is not accepted for this year's retreat, this fee will be refunded to you in full.

  • If we do not hear back from you after one week, your $50 application fee will be donated towards the Healing Retreat scholarship fund.

  • *If this fee is a barrier to you applying, please contact us.

**Please let us know if you will be offline or will not have access to email during the period of time that you may expect to hear a response from us.

Retreat Pricing

The Healing Retreat cost includes 3 nights of lodging and nourishing meals from dinner Thursday through Sunday brunch. A self-selecting sliding scale is offered, and payment plans are available. Full payment is requested 1 month prior to the retreat start date.

Those who are able to contribute at the Pay it Forward or Sustaining rates make it possible for those without financial access to be a part of this healing opportunity. We are so grateful!

There are Full and Partial Scholarships Available. Priority is given to BIPOC applicants and those with other marginalized identities including queer and trans folks, and people with disabilities.Our team donates a portion of the proceeds to local tribes to where the retreats are held and MMIWP efforts.

To help you choose the most appropriate pricing tier below when considering your current financial situation, please visit the following page:

Pricing Tiers:

TIER 1 Pay It Forward Rate - $2300

TIER 2 Sustaining Rate - $1900

TIER 3 Actual Rate - $1300

TIER 4 Partial Scholarship Rate

TIER 5 Full Scholarship Rate

Covid Protocols

We will adhere to state and local guidelines for COVID safety protocol. Knowing that these guidelines will continue to shift, we will be in touch with retreat participants at least one month ahead of time about our requirements. The use of masks are welcome during the retreats.

Washington Retreat

Fall  2026
Whidbey Institute, Whidbey Island, Washington

Retreat Location

In Fall 2026, the Healing Retreat will once again be held at the Whidbey Institute, Washington State, located on the territory of the Lower Skagit, Swinomish, Suquamish, and Snohomish tribes—the island Tscha-kole-chy, named Whidbey Island by colonial settlers. The Whidbey Institute has been a home for transformational learning since for over 50 years.The Whidbey Institute is just over an hour drive from the Sea-Tac airport, including a 20-min ferry ride from Mukilteo to Whidbey Island. The island can also be entered by bridge from the north, or by ferry from the Olympic Peninsula. There is a shuttle service that runs between Sea-Tac airport and The Whidbey Institute.Find out more about The Whidbey Institute here.

Accessibility

The Healing Retreat team works to make this experience as accessible as possible. Please be in touch if you have any specific questions about accessibility.The sleeping accommodations include a cabin village in the forest and an historic Farmhouse. The grounds at the WI include paved and unpaved paths and grassy areas. Kitchen and indoor meetings spaces are ADA accessible, as well as a number of cabins. Accommodations can be made for those who need support getting from one place to another.

Application Process

The application process includes an online questionnaire and a brief follow up call with a facilitator. Applications are processed on a first come first serve basis. There is a $50 application fee,* due at the time of application submittal. The facilitation team will work to be in touch with you about your application status within 2 weeks of receiving the application questionnaire and to schedule a short phone or video call. Upon hearing an acceptance from the facilitation team, you will have one week to confirm or decline your participation.**

Please note:

  • If accepted to the Healing Retreat, your $50 application fee will be applied to your retreat tuition.

  • If you choose to withdraw your participation within one week of receiving acceptance, or if your application is not accepted for this year's retreat, this fee will be refunded to you in full.

  • If we do not hear back from you after one week, your $50 application fee will be donated towards the Healing Retreat scholarship fund.

  • *If this fee is a barrier to you applying, please contact us.

**Please let us know if you will be offline or will not have access to email during the period of time that you may expect to hear a response from us.

Retreat Pricing

The Healing Retreat cost includes 3 nights of lodging and nourishing meals from dinner Thursday through Sunday brunch. A self-selecting sliding scale is offered, and payment plans are available. Full payment is requested 1 month prior to the retreat start date.

Those who are able to contribute at the Pay it Forward or Sustaining rates make it possible for those without financial access to be a part of this healing opportunity. We are so grateful!

There are Full and Partial Scholarships Available. Priority is given to BIPOC applicants and those with other marginalized identities including queer and trans folks, and people with disabilities.Our team donates a portion of the proceeds to local tribes to where the retreats are held and MMIWP efforts.

Covid Protocols

We will adhere to state and local guidelines for COVID safety protocol. Knowing that these guidelines will continue to shift, we will be in touch with retreat participants at least one month ahead of time about our requirements. The use of masks are welcome during the retreats.

The Healing Retreat was born out of a need...

Walking the path of survivorship for over 20 years, I found grief and isolation to be huge and multi-layered aspects of my personal healing work. For years I searched for holistic healing offerings specific to sexual trauma and found nothing. After a three day solo fast in September 2017, arose the specific desire for a grief ceremony with fellow survivors. A month later, and a week before the #metoo movement re-emerged, I put out a call to ceremonialists familiar with grief rituals, seeking to co-create a container for a survivor specific grief ceremony. This request was met with abundant support from which a team was formed- Thérèse Chavet and Tere Carranza of Sacred Groves, Katie Spataro, and myself - from which the Healing Retreat was born. We met in the prayer, imagining and creation of a container for transformative healing and release. And in January 2018 at Sacred Groves, my fellow participants and I found connection and affirmation in honoring our wholeness -
our gifts, our trauma and our courage to heal - together.After witnessing such profound affects from the first retreat, we were dedicated to its continuation. Since 2018, the team has grown to include Kari Stettler and Jay Wade. For our future, my hope is that this retreat finds its way to be an ally in the healing for survivors in many places, morphing and changing to meet each community's needs. If you feel the call to bring the Healing Retreat to your community, reach out here.~~ Marisa Withey Byrne

Facilitation Team

Marisa Withey Byrne

Marisa, or Sasa, (she/her) devotes herself to the transformative, humbling work of uplifting sacred sexual wholeness. As a “light-bearer,” she is dedicated to easing the isolation and suffering of survivors of sexual trauma, supporting people– especially youth– to develop and sustain healthy and holistic relationships with their sexuality, and to educate and hold healing space for those who have caused sexual harm. As an incest survivor, Sasa has found healing through focusing on familial, global, and self-restoration. Her offerings reflect her experience as an advocate, sex educator, council carrier, ceremonialist and rite of passage facilitator. Her Bolivian/ Spanish and Irish/German ancestry, deep connection to Pachamama, belief in the revolutionary power of love, and practice of restorative and transformative justice shape how Sasa shows up to her work and to the world. Moonlit Path Advocacy

Katie Spataro

Katie Spataro (she/her) is a certified Somatic Sex Educator, Holistic Pelvic Care provider and full spectrum doula residing on the unceded lands of the Duwamish people otherwise known as Seattle. Katie studies and practices at the intersections of birth work and sex work, drawing upon the embodied wisdom of these two lineages to support healing of the personal and collective cultural body. Katie blends various modalities of somatic practice, bodywork and skilled coaching in her private practice, and facilitates classes on sexual and reproductive wellness, embodied consent, grief and loss, pregnancy and birth, and erotic education through a trauma-informed and healing-centered lens. Sacred Womb Services

Kari Stettler

Kari Stettler, SEP (she/her), supports people feeling at home in their human body, free and spirited, interconnected in the web of life. At its core, her work is in service to healing relations with self, others, our communities and the greater Earth body that sustains us. As a rites of passage ceremonialist, she guides intensive nature based initiation processes supporting people in taking emboldened action in service to social and ecological justice and collective healing. Kari was mentored by deep ecologist and eco-philosopher, Joanna Macy, since 2005 and has been a facilitator of grief rituals and group work for personal and collective transformation since 2007. As a Somatic Experiencing® Practitioner, she works with individuals and groups to support trauma resolution and nervous system health education. Kari lives a land-based life in Sebastopol, California, where she grows food and medicine for her community and enjoys kayaking along the pacific coast. Somatic Resiliency

Jay Wade

Jay Wade (he/they) is a counsellor, certified sexual health educator, and somatic coach who lives on the stolen territory of the Cowichan Tribes / Quw’utsun Nation. Through relational and embodied approaches to healing, Jay is honored to support those exploring their connection to themselves, others, and the natural world. Grounded in a deep reverence for ceremony, the wisdom of the body, and our inherent connection to nature, Jay has facilitated programs exploring masculinity, relationships, sexuality, grief, and nature awareness, and has nearly twenty years of experience working with youth and adults. He has a Certificate in Counselling and is currently completing a Master of Counselling Psychology degree at City University of Seattle. Jay is a settler of Italian, Irish, and English ancestry and grew up in the Great Lakes region on Treaty 19 lands. Jay Wade Counselling & Facilitation

Tere Carranza

Tere Carranza (she/her) is a beloved elder, carpenter, tender of the sacred and cat mama. She loves poetry, creating large art pieces and her grandchildren. Experiencing her cooking is a heavenly experience. We are so grateful to Tere for being with the Healing Retreat since its creation! Sacred Groves

Understanding Our Tiered Pricing*

Tiered tuition fees for the Survivors Healing Retreat are adjusted depending on an individual's income. They prioritize fairness, equity and accessibility by allowing participants facing income inequality to participate equally.

Participants with a higher income are encouraged to pay at Tier 1, while those earning average income Tier 2. Modest to low-income earners are offered subsidized rates between Tier 3 to 5. This allows everyone to have access to the healing space while ensuring we can afford site-rental and sustain ourselves through the services we provide.

The descriptions of the tiers below are not hardlines. In fact, you may discover you meet the descriptions in more than one tier. The tiers exist as a guideline to help you figure out how much to pay for tuition. The tiers are based on the honour system, so check in with yourself about what feels within your means.

* Tiered pricing outline is directly adapted from Kendra Coupland's
"Understanding Sliding Scales and Tiered Pricing"

Tier 1 - Pay It Forward

I am comfortably able to meet all of my basic needs.
I may have some debt, but it does not prohibit the attainment of basic needs.
I own my home or property OR I rent a higher-end property.
I own or lease a car.
I am employed, my business is successful, or I do not need to work to meet my needs.
I have regular access to health care.
I have access to financial savings.
I can afford an annual vacation or take time off.

Tier 2 - Sustaining Rate

I may stress about meeting my basic needs but still regularly achieve them.
I may have some debt, but it does not prohibit the attainment of basic needs.
I own or lease a car.
I rent a place that feels safe and comfortable.
I am employed.
I have access to healthcare.
I have some expendable income.
I am able to buy some new items and thrift others.
I can take a vacation annually or every few years without financial burden.

Tier 3 - Actual Rate

I frequently stress about meeting basic needs.
I have debt, and it often prohibits me from meeting my basic needs.
I rent lower-end properties or have unstable housing.
I do not have a car and/or have limited access to a car but cannot always afford fuel or repairs.
I am unemployed or underemployed.
I qualify for government benefits, such as disability, social assistance (welfare), or am on a limited pension.
I live paycheck to paycheck.
I rarely buy new items because I cannot afford them.
I cannot afford to take time off without financial burden.

Tier 4 - Partial Scholarship Rate

I often stress about meeting my basic needs, and meeting them requires careful budgeting.
I may have debt that limits some financial choices but does not entirely prevent me from accessing basic needs.
I rent a modest property or live in subsidized housing.
I do not own a car and rely on public transportation or ride-sharing, but transportation costs may strain my budget.
I am employed part-time, seasonally, or in a job with inconsistent income.
I have minimal expendable income and prioritize essentials over non-essentials.
I thrift most items and rarely purchase new ones.
Vacations or time off are rare and require significant financial planning.

Tier 5 - Full Scholarship Rate

I am unable to meet my basic needs.
I rent unstable housing, such as an SRO, live in my car, or am currently unhoused.
I do not have a car and/or have limited access to a car but cannot afford fuel or repairs.
I often experience hunger due to a lack of access to food.
I am permanently unemployed or underemployed due to a disability or chronic condition.
I qualify for government benefits, such as disability, social assistance (welfare), or am on a limited pension.
I have no access to savings.
I cannot purchase new items because I cannot afford them.

Contact Us

Please be in touch if you have any questions, would like more information, or would like to be added to our mailing list to be notified of our next Healing Retreat.

[email protected]