Transformative Healing: Lessons from My First Grief Retreat with Dr. Laura Berman

Attending my first grief retreat, From Heartbreak to Healing, was truly transformative, and I am so grateful for the experience. The retreat was led by Dr. Laura Berman, known to many as an expert on relationships, love, and intimacy—she even appeared on Oprah. Tragically, in February 2021, Dr. Berman lost her 16-year-old son to fentanyl poisoning, and since then, she's committed herself to helping others navigate the complex journey of grief.

The retreat was held in Chicago over a weekend and was filled with tools designed to foster healing. We participated in yoga, meditation, sound baths, somatic breathing exercises, journaling, fascial work, mediumship sessions, ecstatic dancing, and more. Each of these practices was deeply therapeutic in its own way, but the most impactful part of the weekend was the sense of community we built together. Being among thirty other women, all of whom had also experienced profound loss, created a space of comfort and support. We were able to be real, to be vulnerable, and to begin the process of truly feeling our emotions—a crucial step in healing.

Some powerful lessons I took away from the retreat:

1. Community is Essential to Healing
   Grief can be incredibly isolating. Sharing space with people who understand and empathize can be life-changing. When you’re in a community where you feel safe, seen, and supported, you can process your grief in ways that wouldn’t be possible alone.

2. Movement is Key to Releasing Grief
   Grief doesn’t just live in our minds—it settles in our bodies. Over time, if left unaddressed, it can manifest physically as illness or discomfort. The retreat’s emphasis on somatic practices like yoga, breathwork, and dancing allowed us to move this energy and begin releasing it from our bodies.

3. Don’t Compare Your Grief to Others’
   One of the most challenging but necessary lessons in grief work is to avoid comparing your pain to someone else’s. Each loss is unique, and every journey is different. It is okay for our journey to unfold in our own way and on our own timeline.

4. Allowing Yourself to Truly Feel the Pain
   A key aspect of the retreat was giving ourselves permission to fully feel our emotions, without judgment or comparison. Grieving openly and without the need to "stay strong" was incredibly liberating. Honoring our individual experiences allows us to process our feelings authentically.

5. Self-Compassion as a Daily Practice
   Often, we are our own worst critics, especially when it comes to grief. We may feel like we’re not moving on "fast enough" or that we should be coping better. But the retreat emphasized the importance of self-compassion, reminding us to treat ourselves gently. Healing isn’t linear, and taking time to nurture ourselves—through rest, quiet moments, or seeking help—is not only okay, but necessary.

This retreat reinforced how powerful it can be to embrace community and feel supported in the healing journey. I walked away not only with tools for my personal path but also with a renewed commitment to help others find their way through grief.

If you're struggling with grief, I invite you to reach out and connect with me. Remember, you are not alone. There’s a community here ready to support you, to listen, and to help you navigate your grief journey. Join us, and let's walk this path together, finding hope and healing along the way. Reach out today and take the first step toward healing.