How We Heal

“Togetherness Heals.”

There are many ways to foster connection—but few are as powerful as gathering face-to-face with others who truly understand. While therapy and online communities (like those on Facebook) play an important role in navigating the trauma of family separation or discovering a Non-Parental Event (NPE), nothing compares to the depth of in-person connection.

As Brené Brown so beautifully says,

"Connection is the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued—when they can give and receive without judgment, and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship."

At Hiraeth Hope & Healing, our retreats are thoughtfully designed to create this kind of space: where people feel brave to be fully seen and heard—where healing isn’t solitary, but shared. These experiences are grounded in research, too. Studies from Carnegie Mellon University confirm that strong social support and belonging can reduce stress, lower the risk of disease, and improve overall well-being.

Healing thrives in community. Through intentional connection, we nurture not only individual transformation but also collective restoration.

“Call it a family, call it a community, call it a support system. Whatever you name it, we all need people who make us feel connected and understood.”
— Inspired by Jane Howard