Speaking From The Scar - Retreat March 2025

Speaking From The Scar Retreat

For any woman who has experienced Sexual Abuse 

and is ready to reclaim herself

It can feel like there’s no place or space for our experiences. Our hurts. Our confusion. 

So we hold them all in. 

With no way to know how to process what was happening at the time, I stuffed everything down. Pushing it away into a dark corner within my being. 

“It’s okay, I’m fine” was my mantra for decades. I minimised my experiences of childhood sexual abuse in order to cope. 

“I can’t change what’s happened so there’s no point talking about it” was a story I told myself to avoid ever having to talk about it. 

I wasn’t fine, I was merely existing. Disconnected from my true feelings. From the real ME. 

Would you like to reconnect with the real YOU? 

I’d like to invite you to join me at my weekend retreat where there will be no stigmas or taboos, and you will have the freedom to begin to reclaim all of what you feel you’ve lost. 

Reclaim your mind, body and expression, and nourish your Soul.

This is not a “let’s get a massage and sound bath” type of retreat, but a retreat into engaging in guided practices that will support you towards finding peace and a pathway towards flourishing.

There is a pathway… 

While everyone’s experience of trauma is different and our individual healing journeys are unique, there is a pathway you can follow. Through my own healing and supporting other survivors, I’ve been able to map that pathway. 

The pathway moves through 4 stages from Existing to Flourishing. 

The 4 Healing Stages

1 Existing 

When we’re just EXISTING there can be disconnection, sadness, denial, emptiness, repression, fear, confusion, dissociation, disorders, feeling alone… [add your own experience here].

2 Opening 

When curiosity and questioning rise up, or it becomes impossible to keep holding everything in, and long-held beliefs start to be examined. It can feel scary and difficult to trust. It’s a time of finding voice. 

3 Growing 

The stage of reclaiming who you really are. Embracing your expression. Reclaiming your mind and body. Processing the past. Nourishing your Soul. Releasing what’s no longer serving you and inviting in what you desire. 

4 Flourishing

A place of peace, freedom, gratitude, grace, acceptance, happiness, flow, love… [insert your own vision of Flourishing here!] 

Let me guide you, from wherever you are, along this healing pathway 

Within a confidential container of a small group of women, I will lead you through a variety of practices: 

• We'll use writing prompts to tap into expression. 
• We'll use movement and dance to shake out the stuck energies – like wild animals, we'll allow the wild woman to emerge. 
• Women will speak their truths and be witnessed in their uncensored expression. And unapologetically express their emotions. 
• We'll use meditation to connect within, discern our needs and nourish our souls. 
• We'll connect with the wisdom and gifts of our experiences. 
• And sit in a Cacao Fire Circle for release and invocation 

Will you be joining me? 

This is my invitation to come and sit with this special circle of women, where with compassion and safety you can explore and release the wounds of your story, so you too can Speak From The Scar.

Numbers will be limited to a small group of 6 participants only. 

Your exchange for the weekend is $250 plus booking fee. 

What’s Included? 

• accommodation in two-bedroom self-contained units (private bedroom, shared bathroom and living space) just a short stroll to the front beach (address provided upon registration) 
• linen and towels 
• all meals excluding breakfast (minimal communal preparation and clean-up requested) 
• the company of supportive and curious women 

Additional optional activities: 

• Morning Beach dip/swim 
• Beach walks 

In the words of Brene Brown: "When we don’t own our stories of failure, setback and hurt, they own us. Owning our story and loving ourselves through that story is the bravest thing we’ll ever do. When we have the courage to walk into our story and own it, we get to write the ending".

Healing and personal growth are journeys unique to each individual. Being surrounded by supportive women sharing similar experiences can be incredibly transformative. Participants can share as much, or as little of their writing as they choose, however sharing is encouraged, as I've found being witnessed in our truths to be incredibly healing. 

This is a compassionate, private and inclusive program led by a survivor of childhood sexual abuse (Karen Garton) that is intended to complement (but not substitute) professional therapies and mental health supports. 

Should you have questions about the content, structure or any aspect of the weekend, please email me: retreats@sorrentoapartments.com.au 
Or connect with me on Instagram: @iamkarengarton
or Facebook: Karen Garton