The Grief Portal Retreat May 7-10, 2027
The Grief Portal Retreat May 7-10, 2027
Grief ushers us across thresholds we don’t always choose, but are asked to meet.
Grief enters our lives through many pathways.
Yes, through death and the loss of people we love.
But also through relationships that end.
Identities we outgrow.
The childhood we needed but didn't receive.
The parts of ourselves we learned to hide.
The village we long for but don't have.
The life we imagined that looks different from the one we're living.
There is grief in what happened to us—and in what never happened at all.
There is grief in the parts of us that have not known love. The parts labeled too much, unworthy, shameful, weak, angry, or difficult. The parts we learned to exile in order to belong.
There is grief we inherit from our families and lineages, and grief we carry in response to the suffering and injustice we witness in the world.
And there may be grief within you that doesn't fit neatly into any category.
All of it belongs.
Grief also doesn't always feel like sorrow.
Sometimes it arrives as anger. Shame. Numbness. Resentment. Longing. Disconnection. The impulse to over-give or disappear. The feeling that something inside of you wants to move, but you don't yet have language for what it is.
The Grief Portal is a retreat for tending what we carry.
Not to fix it.
Not to force a breakthrough.
Not to leave grief behind.
But to create enough space and safety to turn toward what has been asking for our attention.
Over the course of the weekend, we'll work with grief and the emotions woven around it—including anger and shame.
We'll make space for the younger and exiled parts of ourselves.
We'll listen to what the body has been holding. And we'll explore what becomes possible when these experiences are witnessed and tended in community rather than carried alone.
Through somatic practices, ritual, nature, ceremony, reflection, expression, and community, you'll be invited to meet yourself with curiosity and compassion.
There is nothing you need to perform here. Nothing you need to force.
And you do not need to have experienced a recent death—or even be able to name exactly what you're grieving—to belong in this space.
This retreat is for you if…
You feel deeply and have become accustomed to having to “hold it all together” and carrying a lot alone
You recognize yourself in over-giving, self-silencing, anger, shame, or feeling disconnected from your own needs.
You know there are younger parts of you still longing to be seen, protected, expressed, or loved.
You're grieving something you lost—or something you never received.
You're moving through a transition and can feel that who you were no longer quite fits who you're becoming.
Or maybe you simply sense there is something within you asking to be witnessed, felt, expressed, or released.
You don't have to know exactly what it is before you arrive.
All gates of grief belong here.
And grief is not meant to be carried alone.
At the retreat, we want to create a space for you to feel…
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Held.
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Nourished.
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Safe to Release.
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Encouraged to Play.
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Celebrated in Your Authentic Expression.
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Safe in Sisterhood.
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-Ignite the freedom of living with E.A.S.E (Embodied Authentic Self-Expression)
-Explore therapeutic and soul-based themes like the inner child, exiled parts, grief and shame
-Be invited into a safe, trauma-informed group experience
-Have a safe environment to practice being your authentic self with others
-Experience and practice being held, witnessed and accepted by others
-Expand your ability to be present with big emotions and learn to self-regulate and ground to create inner safety
-Deepen your connection to yourself on a soul-level
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-Learn how to create a sense of safety in your body using trauma-informed approaches. (Without utilizing trauma-informed modalities and creating safety with your body in a way that is supportive, you can create more distress and trauma for your system).
-Experience (in real time) the healing power of ritual and community, which is necessary for healing relational wounds (emotional pain and traumatic experiences that took place in relationship with another person or a group of people—think experiences with your parents/caregivers, siblings, partners, religious communities, coworkers, bosses, friends, etc)
-Have an opportunity to express and explore embodying your authentic self in a safe space with others. Exploring your authentic self individually and healing in isolation can only go so far. Expressing yourself in a community context is necessary to embody confidence in your authentic self-expression. Think of it like practicing being yourself in a safe space!
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-More connected with a part of you that previously felt unwelcome
-Motivated to continue to nurture a relationship with this part of you
-More confident in your ability to practice safe, vulnerable self-expression
-An increased sense of confidence in your ability to support yourself in life’s more difficult moments (coping with emotional pain, grief, shame, etc)
-A stronger connection with your inner wisdom and guidance
-Increased presence in your everyday life
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The retreat pricing varies to acommodate budgets of all sizes. The final ticket price is based upon the room chosen (single rooms versus shared rooms with other participants).
All tickets include the following:
-3 night stay at BASK retreat center
-All meals provided by BASK’s private chef
-Attendance to all retreat circles, ceremonies and other activities on the BASK property
Friday, May 7, 2027 to Monday, May 10, 2027
Stay at the Buffalo Lodge at Bask Retreat Center
Meals and nourishment provided by Bask’s personal chef
Multiple, Sacred Circles & Ceremony
Ritual practices to support release and integration
Nature & Self-Connection
Group Meditation and Sound Bath Integration
[The specific time schedule for the retreat is not available at this time. If you have any specific questions about the retreat or need clarification, please email Dani at hello@danihickman.com]
Retreat Specific Details
The Buffalo Lodge at Bask Retreat Center:
Located approximately 90 minutes away from Nashville, TN
7 bedrooms, 6.5 baths
2 Living Rooms
Sauna and Cold Plunge
The Bask Property:
Bask is situated on 42 acres—this biodiverse landscape features flowing streams, preserved wetlands and native grasslands
Yoga/Meditation/Sound Studio
Hiking
Tree nets for relaxing, journaling
Creek and swimming holes for nature-based water play!
Past Participant Reviews
My healing process is forever changed after the HELD Retreat. From the moment I connected with Dani through email when I was inquiring about the retreat, I could sense her intention and care in planning the details of it. The retreat itself went far beyond my expectations. I felt seen, I felt loved, and I felt supported in a way I deeply needed. I thought I had a lot of tools and resources to navigate my grief work, but this retreat opened my eyes to a whole new way of tending to my grief. I am so grateful I attended, and look forward to attending another of Dani’s retreats in the future!
-Jenny B.
This retreat was such a meaningful experience. Being in a space with 12 women centered around grief, anger, shame, and what it means to truly be held in all of it felt incredibly powerful.
What stood out to me most was Dani’s ability to hold space. She created an environment that felt safe enough to be vulnerable and honest, while never making anything feel forced. The group circles each morning and afternoon gave us space to share, listen, process, and simply be with whatever was coming up.
Grief can feel so isolating, but there was something really healing about experiencing it in community and being reminded that we don’t have to carry the hard things alone. I left the weekend feeling deeply grateful for the experience, for the women I shared it with, and for the care and intention Dani brought to every part of the retreat.
Her ability to make people feel seen, supported, and held is truly a gift.
-Sara H.
Dani created such a warm, intentional, and welcoming space for the retreat. Her presence and guidance made it easy to slow down, be present, and connect deeply with myself. I left feeling grounded, refreshed, and grateful for the experience. Dani’s care and thoughtfulness were felt throughout the entire retreat, and I would absolutely recommend this experience to anyone feeling called to step away, reconnect, and reset.
-Sasha C.
Initially, I was very hesitant to join the retreat and share space with other women. I felt welcome the moment i met Dani and the other participants. The retreat was engaging yet allowed time for self reflection. It did not feel forced or overly curated. I left feeling loved, replenished and hopeful.
-Yasmin A.
Held was a magical blend of curiosity, sharing, receiving, leaning into edges, supporting, playing, and tending. Dani masterfully holds space and guides participants through a meaningful, heart-centered journey.
-Karen G.
HELD weekend was a beautiful experience for me as I have never been to a women’s retreat before. I didn’t know what to expect but being on the other side I feel lighter and brighter, like an invisible weight has been lifted. I feel connected not only to others but also to nature and myself. I feel called to nurture ALL parts of me because all my inner parts felt welcomed this weekend. I will forever cherish this weekend and hope to have the courage to step into more spaces like this in the future!
-Noelle F.
Meet the Guide
Hi, I’m Dani.
I am a fellow traveler on this journey through life. I am committed to living a soul-led life—doing my best to live authentically and with integrity.
I wear many hats in my life—mother, wife, friend, daughter, sister, psychotherapist, teacher, podcaster, entrepreneur.
Professionally, I have over 15 years of experience providing trauma-informed care to clients in a wide variety of settings—private practice, community mental health, coaching and retreats.
I truly feel that it’s an honor to be trusted to walk alongside women on their journeys back home to their most authentic, soul-connected self.
Dani Hickman, LPC-MHSP, Reiki Master & Grief Ritual Leader
Your Questions, Answered
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We want to create an intimate, safe group experience. Because of this, we are offering space for 12-15 retreat participants.
In addition to the participants, there will be 1 primary facilitator, 2 support attendees and a sound integration facilitator at the retreat.
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First and foremost, we want all retreat participants to make an embodied decision whether or not the retreat feels like a “yes.”
To support this, there is an option for a free connection call with Dani to answer any questions you might have. A place to explore logistical questions, hesitancies, fears, etc.
If you decide to move forward with the retreat, you will be invited to attend an onboarding call with Dani and a welcome call with retreat participants one week prior to the retreat. The intention for this onboarding process is to begin to create safety within the group container.
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All of the retreat activities are an invitation. Please keep in mind, the community aspect of the retreat is what makes this work so potent and transformative. Because of this, we invite participants to be open to participation at the degree that feels most embodied.
A ceremony is held to indicate that something of significance is happening or about to happen. (Think wedding ceremonies, graduation, etc).
Ceremonies signal to the psyche that there is something of significance to be integrated.
Often, ceremonies contain rituals. Ritual practices within the group container are held to activate and support change.
We are inviting in the elements of psyche and soul when we engage in ceremony and ritual.
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BNA (Nashville) is the closest airport, about 90 minutes from the retreat center. If you are traveling from out of town we will do our best to coordinate ride share opportunities with other retreat participants.
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We want this retreat to feel accessible to your personal budget needs. Dani is more than willing to work with you on creating an individualized payment plan that feels supportive to you.
We do ask for an initial down payment to be made as a commitment to the retreat and to provide clarity on room designation and availability.
Available Rooms
Queen Room
Total price for Single Occupancy $1800
Total Price for Double Occupancy $2200 ($1200 per participant)
Deposit $250
Queen Room
Total price for Single Occupancy $1800
Total Price for Double Occupancy $2200 ($1200 per participant)
Deposit $250
King Room with private bathroom (located in hallway, but with private use designated for this room)
Total price for Single Occupancy $2200
Total Price for Double Occupancy $2600 ($1300 per participant)
Deposit $250
Queen Room
Total price for Single Occupancy $1800
Total Price for Double Occupancy $2200 ($1200 per participant)
Deposit $250
Not sure if this retreat is a good fit for you?
Let’s Connect
We would love to connect with you on a connection call to answer any questions you may have about the retreat and tell you more about this experience!
Please fill out the form to schedule an individual call and we’ll be in touch!
[We aim to get back to you in 48 business hours].