Grief and Loss Retreat For Emotional Resilience

Led By Jon Terrell, M.A.

Western Massachusetts
December 3-6, 2026 - $935
March 25-28, 2027 - $935

Orlando, Florida
January 28-31, 2027 - $1295

All retreats include basic housing and meals

When You Are Stuck in Grief

Big losses change us forever. It's not that we are broken, although it can feel that way. It's because our love goes all the way in, and when we lose someone, a huge part of us can be trapped in emotional pain. Our Grief and Loss Retreat can help.

We grieve because we've lost someone we love.

If you’ve been carrying grief, anger, fear, or sadness that won’t resolve—
If time has passed and you still feel stuck—this retreat was created for you.

If you have a recent major loss of someone close to you, this retreat was created for you.

Grief doesn't follow a timeline. Whether your loss happened last month or decades ago, there's no expiration date on needing a place to finally move through it.

This is a small, intensive, in-person experience for people who are emotionally healthy, yet unable to move forward after a major loss or life disruption.

This is not talk therapy.
It's not about fixing or bypassing grief.

It's about creating the safety, connection, and support that let grief—and the other emotions that travel with it—finally move.

Who This Retreat Is For

You may recognize yourself in one or more of these experiences:

• You are grieving the loss or death of someone you loved deeply—and can't move forward
• You’re carrying sadness, anger, guilt, fear, or numbness that hasn’t resolved 
• You’ve gone through a major loss or transition (death, divorce, illness, burnout, life upheaval) and don’t feel like yourself anymore
• You function on the outside, but inside feel heavy, disconnected, or low-energy
• You’ve tried talking, thinking, or “coping,” but it hasn’t reached what’s really going on
• You long to feel alive, connected, and purposeful again—but don’t know how to get there

This retreat is especially helpful for people who are emotionally healthy, yet unable to move forward because grief or another powerful emotion has become frozen or overwhelming.

You do not need to have the right words.
You do not need to know what you’re feeling exactly.
You only need a willingness to be present with what is true for you.

What This Retreat Is Not

Our Grief and Loss Retreat is not group psychotherapy, diagnosis, or clinical treatment, and it is not appropriate for those who have been diagnosed with a mental illness, a personality disorder, or who require clinical care.

It can be a valuable complement to grief counseling, recovery programs, or other support you're already receiving — but it's designed for people who are otherwise mentally healthy and stuck due to a painful loss or a difficult emotion, not as a substitute for treatment.

Instead, this is deep, experiential work — with skilled facilitation and the support of a compassionate community — for people ready to move through grief and other difficult emotions.

What Happens at the Retreat

The retreat unfolds in three intentional phases. Each phase builds on the one before it, creating safety first, then depth, and finally integration—so the work you do is meaningful, embodied, and lasting.

• You are always in choice.
• Nothing is forced.
• You move at your own pace.

Phase One: Coming Together

We begin by slowing down.

Participants arrive and gently settle into their bodies, the space, and the group. Grief and other difficult emotions require safety to move, and this first phase focuses entirely on building that foundation.

Star Dance Ranch is a homey old farmhouse, warm and inviting. We ease into the work through simple, shared activities:

• Eating together
• Breathing and moving with music
• Sharing in simple, structured ways
• Allowing our nervous systems to settle
• Learning skills of loving that support healing and relating
• Making agreements with each other -  confidentiality, goodwill, and staying for the full retreat

People are often surprised by how quickly trust and connection form. Many say it's the first time in a long while they've felt understood without having to explain or defend themselves. This sense of connection isn't incidental — it's essential. A loving, intentional community is what creates the safety that makes deeper healing possible.

Phase Two: Depth Work

Moving Through What Has Been Stuck

In the second phase, participants are invited—if they choose—into the emotions that have been frozen, avoided, or are overwhelming.

Grief rarely travels alone. It often includes anger, fear, guilt, shame, anxiety, or numbness. These emotions don't resolve through insight or thinking alone, and they often live in the body long after we believe we “should be over it.”

If you could have thought your way through this, you already would have. It's also faster and gentler with group support than it is alone — people are always surprised that a few-day retreat can bring this much change and depth.

With skilled facilitation and the group's steady support, you're guided to reconnect with the wisdom held in your own body — where both the pain and the capacity for healing reside. You're always free to slow down or stop.

This isn't about analyzing what went wrong; it's about letting what's been held inside finally move, complete, and reorganize — often with more gentleness than people expect.

Doing this work in a group reduces isolation and self-blame. What feels impossible alone often becomes possible when held in a safe, compassionate community.

Our Grief and Loss Retreat is not group psychotherapy, diagnosis, or clinical treatment.

It is not appropriate for those who have been diagnosed with a mental illness, a personality disorder, or who require clinical care.

Instead, this is deep, experiential work for people who are ready to move through grief and other difficult emotions—with skilled facilitation and the support of a compassionate community.

Phase Three: Integration

Grounding and Returning to Life

Deep emotional work can open real experiences of clarity, peace, and aliveness. For those shifts to last, they need to be integrated, not rushed or bypassed.

In this final phase, we gently orient back toward daily life:

- Simple grounding and physical activities
- Journaling and reflection to make meaning of what emerged
- Identifying practical next steps for life after the retreat
- Celebrating what you've done

Participants leave more rooted, present, and able to carry what they've discovered into daily life—so the retreat becomes a foundation for continued healing.

What Many Participants Experience

People often arrive at the Grief and Loss Retreat feeling isolated, lost, and stuck in emotional pain.

They leave feeling:

• Deeply connected to others who truly understand
• Reconnected to love, aliveness, and meaning
• Lighter—not because their grief was erased, but because it no longer lives alone inside them
• More energized, grounded, and capable of engaging with life again

Again and again, participants say the same thing with surprise:

"I feel so loved and connected to everyone. What a relief!"

About Your Guide

Jon Terrell, M.A., has spent over 25 years helping people move through grief and other painful emotions, using deep process work, somatic awareness, and the healing power of intentional community.

Jon holds a Master's degree from the Institute of Transpersonal Psychology, with advanced certification in both Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling. He studied clinical imagery at the Huntington Therapy Institute and process therapy at the Institute of Process Therapy in New Haven, CT. He is a certified Somatic Therapist, an ordained minister, a core faculty member at the Omega Institute, and the former president of the School of Actualism.

Jon's role at the Grief and Loss Retreat isn't to analyze or push, but to create a steady, compassionate container where each person can move at their own pace, guided by their own inner wisdom.

For Jon's full bio, go to Jon Terrell, M.A.

Retreat Information
How To Register-First Step

The first step is a short phone or video call with Jon (about 20–30 minutes), which is required so you and Jon can decide together if this retreat is a good fit right now. On the call, you'll:

- Talk through your situation and how the retreat can help
- Go over what happens at the retreat
- Discuss housing at Star Dance Ranch or a nearby motel

This is not a sales call. There's no pressure to decide during it — many people say that reaching out and naming what they're carrying is itself a meaningful first step.

Grief and Loss Retreat Logistics

• - Limited to 7–12 participants. Cost includes food and basic semi-private housing. Once full, new participants would need a local motel or Airbnb at an additional cost.
• - If you'd prefer more privacy — or snore — please arrange your own motel stay; Star Dance Ranch doesn't have private rooms. Talk with Jon about this option.
• - Register early — retreats often fill ahead of time. A $350 deposit reserves your spot as of the date we receive it. The remainder is due before the retreat.
• - A limited amount of tuition assistance is available — register early if you'd like to apply.
• - The Thursday–Sunday retreat begins at 5 pm Thursday (arrival 3:45–4:45 to register) and ends by 2 pm Sunday. Please arrive on time and stay for the full retreat. Bring a potluck item for the first dinner unless you're traveling by public transportation.
• - You'll be asked to sign a liability release form
• - **Refund policy:** Your deposit is 100% refundable 60+ days before a retreat start date, except for a $100 processing fee. Your payment is 50% refundable 30-59 days before the retreat start date, except for a $100 processing fee. Your payment is non-refundable less than 30 days before the retreat start date. 

Looking for the extended retreat? Breaking Free to Emotional Wellness, one day longer, is offered each summer.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you feel drawn to this work, the next step is a simple conversation. Reach out below, and Jon will get back to you personally, usually within 24 hours (except when he's leading a retreat).

- Together, you explore whether this retreat is the right fit
- If it feels aligned, you'll get registration details and next steps
- If it's not the right time or format, you'll leave with clarity, not obligation

This retreat is intentionally small, with limited space. If you feel a quiet yes, trust that — and reach out.

Because this retreat is deep and personal, a free 20–30 minute phone or video conversation with Jon is required before registration. This is not a sales call. It’s a chance to slow down, ask questions, and sense whether this retreat is right for you at this point in your life.

No pressure to decide during the call.

Many people say that even reaching out—naming what they’re carrying—is a meaningful first step in itself.

👉 Request a conversation with Jon by filling out the Contact Jon Terrell form below.

Go to our home page

Go to Florida Grief and Loss Retreat

Go to Deep Emotional Healing Retreats 

Go here to read participant comments about the retreats

Go to Jon's bio

Legal Documents for those who want to attend our retreats: Go Here

Comments From Participants

"Best thing I ever did!" 

 - Patti Cliff, Oklahoma

"It’s now two months since that very memorable retreat and since returning home to England. I didn’t know what to expect but felt that I needed to make the long journey to try to make some sense of what had happened to me in my childhood and my marriage.

The retreat was such an emotional and powerful experience, and I left feeling more connected to my children, I just wanted to shout and tell them that I love them. I felt lighter within me, a real sense of happiness which I had not felt for a long time, calm and relief.

My flight back home was really surreal because it felt as if a weight had been lifted from me and a feeling of happiness within me. Now two months on I can honestly say that I am a lot calmer in myself and I don’t feel as troubled as I did before the retreat. I have more inner peace. A most incredible journey."

- Rose B, Birmingham, UK

"What a blessing to have found this retreat.  My life was in a tailspin after the death of my only child, my son, almost six years ago.  I was lost, had no purpose because my purpose was my son, no joy or happiness, and only wanted to be with my son.  I just wanted to bury the half of me that was not buried with my son because I was spiritually & emotionally dead…I had no hope and just existed.

As I went through the retreat, I began to feel a peace that I hadn’t felt in a very long time. Little by little my despair turned into feeling the presence of my son, joy and happiness, and finally hope & excitement for my future.  Now back home I am at the beginning of my new life.

If you’re suffering or feel hopeless, you have a place to go that is safe, non-judgmental, loving, and will transform you." 

-Elaine G, Brandon, Florida

"The grief and loss weekend was amazing and well worth it. A heavy load of grief and anger was miraculously lifted, and still weeks later, I do not feel it and am having a much easier time, living my life without the past weighing me down. I am able to be with myself and be alone without those negative feelings that were causing me such pain. The sense of love and community is amazing and wonderful. I still feel like those who took the weekend with me are still right beside me. Thanks Jon for your gift of healing."

- Joey LaValle-Mackay, Massachusetts

"It was life changing! My focus has now completely shifted because of the retreat…people now, relationships are now most important, while before it was things. All that matters are people. Before, relating was scary, and ugly,  now,  relationships are life-affirming. That’s a pretty big deal for me.

It was a spiritual experience for me too. I opened the door and went into the Light. It was God. I heard the words, “We have been waiting for you.” I felt love and light around me, all over me and above me, I felt my body go upward. It just went there.

I have purpose now. I found it, I found my passion!"

-Barbara Scholten, Melbourne, Florida

"I have been to a lot of workshops, but this has been the most transformative. The attention to every little detail creates an atmosphere of complete trust and safety that allowed all of us to go deep and release our fears, guilt, depression, loss, shame, sadness and complicated grief.

I released so much of what I was carrying around with me, in my body, that was holding me back. We all left feeling filled with Love and with a determination to go home and start again, a new beginning" 

-Kathleen Wood, Provincetown, MA

"I feel a new joy welling up inside of me. I've been searching for this joy for the past 5 and a half years, since my husband’s diagnosis with and then death from, cancer. The retreat helped me to rediscover it, and I've been waking up each day since, experiencing it anew. My chronic underlying anxiety and feeling that the 'other shoe is going to drop' have lifted completely. I am lighter and happier and really truly enjoying life again. Jon is a fantastic facilitator. "

- Ellen Kittredge, Maryland

"I was so unsure as to what to expect. But I am on a search for answers, and direction. I didn't know for sure what my work would involve. 

I appreciate the respect and space and attention you gave me through that process. Thank you for the work that you do, and for the grace that you handle life and people with.

I came home with new friendships, and a new beginning and a new focus. 

On Sunday, at the end of the retreat, I experienced what communion is truly all about for the first time.

Very Sincerely,"  

- Melinda Ash, Center,Texas

"Thank you for being there for me and helping all of us go deeper within. Jon was fully present and very in touch with the all the different energies in the room. He is very intuitive and has a deep understanding of what drives our emotional behavior. Jon has a gift and I highly recommend his work. Thank you so much.  Many blessings to you, I know we will see each other again."

- Ziad Azzi, Union, N.J.

"If you found Jon and Star Dance there is probably a reason. I was very apprehensive and untrusting but in my heart I knew that I had to go. I had nothing to lose and only my life to gain and that is exactly what happened. Trust the process, you will not regret it. I left the retreat full of love and much more than I could ever put into words. I hated to leave and I can not wait to go back."

 -Larissa, Marietta, Georgia

"There is a quote that I love,  “everything you want  is on the other side of fear,” by Jack Canfield. During this retreat,  I realized that everything that I want is on the other side of healing. I learned to  acknowledge that the  pain, grief and fear I experience are  an important step in the healing process. It was inspiring to find solace and support in such nurturing environment. . I will embrace the light that ‘s beginning to shine through my broken spirit and I know that brighter days are ahead. By the end of the retreat, I gained  the strength within me to overcome the challenges I  will face. I will trust myself and in the process of healing."

-With Love,

Lenira Dosreis, Boston 

"It was a weekend of miracles. Thank you for creating a safe and authentic space for me to find my voice, for your wisdom and healing hands, and for sharing your home!"

-Jennifer Jacobs, Santa Cruz, CA

"I came to the retreat because I lost my mother, who was my best friend, and then shortly after, my partner and I broke up. I moved to a new city, and I felt so lost and alone. The grief consumed me, and I felt depressed. I experienced such a connection with all the people at the retreat. I felt loved, seen, and heard. The retreat was incredibly healing and gave me the tools to work through my grief. It was a wonderful experience!"

-Alexis Dippel, North Carolina

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