"Many trauma survivors hold their breath and their bodies tightly, bracing themselves for whatever is coming next. Staying alert for years takes a toll. Create spaces where you can take your armor off.”

-Thema Bryant, PhD

What are HEAL Retreats?

HEAL Retreats are trauma-informed, structured healing experiences for undergraduate and graduate student survivors of sexual violence. Offered in overnight and single-day formats, these retreats provide dedicated time away from daily academic demands to support reflection, connection, and healing in community. Grounded in clinical expertise and a survivor-centered framework, HEAL Retreats create a supportive environment where participants can deepen self-understanding, strengthen coping, and experience the power of healing alongside others.

How are HEAL Retreats Accessed?

The HEAL Retreat is not an open-enrollment program. It is a retreat offered through partnerships with colleges and universities that engage HEAL Psychotherapy Group for consultation and implementation. Students interested in participating are encouraged to connect with their campus counseling center, Title IX office, or survivor support services to learn whether a HEAL Retreat is available at their institution.

What can students expect on a HEAL Retreat?

HEAL Retreats offer a structured, trauma-informed experience that can function as a standalone program or complement existing campus counseling and survivor support services. Participants engage in a thoughtfully designed retreat experience that emphasizes safety, connection, reflection, and personal growth. The model prioritizes participant choice, emotional safety, and clinical oversight while providing opportunities for meaningful connection with peers.

Click here for a sample agenda.

What can students gain from going on a HEAL Retreat?

Post retreat surveys often find that students come away with:

Increased understanding of trauma and its impact on daily functioning

Expanded coping strategies and emotional regulation tools

Reduced isolation through connection with peers

Strengthened resilience and self-efficacy

Greater knowledge of and engagement with ongoing campus-based support services

Who is a good fit for a HEAL Retreat?

HEAL Retreats are best suited for undergraduate and graduate student survivors of sexual violence who:

Have established basic coping skills

Are not in acute crisis

Can participate safely in a group setting

Are interested in community-based healing