When We Gather We HEALCONNECTGROW

Group healing using Plant Medicines

The Gathering Groups Process

Prepare
Set Intentions
Medicine
Session
Integrate

Gathering is an online group model for preparation, intention setting, plant medicine healing, and integration.

Gatherings are comprised of 12 weekly online sessions 90 minutes in length and are held at the same day and time every week. The weekly sessions are designed to bring a sense of comfort, connection, and self-inquiry to the front of the mind, which encourages an environment of healing. Each week is intentionally structured in a predictable format, so participants can experience a flow of what to expect each week.

The medicine retreat occurs at around week 8 of our 12 week model, where we experience in-person plant medicine healing with our Gathering Group in a safe, connected environment, at one of our retreat centres.

Once the medicine day has commenced, we gather again for the remainder of the 12 weeks to integrate what we have discovered into our everyday life, bringing with it long-term change, connection, and growth.

Each Gathering Group has a day-long, in-person medicine retreat that occurs approximately 8 weeks into the Gathering Groups. Gathering retreats are staffed by Registered Clinical Counsellors (RCC) and health care professionals certified through TheraPsil, a Canadian non-profit training organization. These experts work with your facilitators to create a safe setting for your group journey. 

Each Gathering Group is guided each week by 2 professionally trained Facilitators who will hold space for the group and keep conversations feeling open, safe, and trusted. Each Facilitator has been professionally trained in group work and has gone through their own Gathering Group journey.

Gathering Groups are typically no more than 8 participants in size to maximize the quality of each group bond and dynamic. We have accommodations available for those who prefer a Co-ed, Women's, or Men's group.

How Gathering Works

More About Us
Week 1 - Breathe
I can slow down and pay attention to what's happening inside of me.
Week 2 - Listen
I can listen with my body to the feelings of others.
Week 3 - Embody
I can connect my emotions to physical sensations in my body.
Week 4 - Compassion
I can treat myself with love and gentleness.
Week 5 - Co-regulation
I can feel seen and known by others.
Week 6 - Belonging
I can embrace and honour all of my parts.
Week 7 - Worthiness
I can access self-energy and feel confident.
Week 8 - Celebration
I can celebrate and delight in myself.
Week 9 - Resilience
I can widen my window of tolerance for uncomfortable feelings.
Week 10 - Intention
I can express what I feel and need in my relationships with myself and others.
Week 11 - Being
I know that I am enough.
Week 12 - Growth
I can celebrate the changes and growth that I have experienced.
Gathering Course Curriculum
Week 2 - Listen
I can listen with my body to the feelings of others.
Week 4 - Compassion
I can treat myself with love and gentleness.
Week 6 - Belonging
I can embrace and honour all of my parts.
Week 8 - Celebration
I can celebrate and delight in myself.
Week 10 - Intention
I can express what I feel and need in my relationships with myself and others.
Week 12 - Growth
I can celebrate the changes and growth that I have experienced.

Want to Learn More?

Want to learn more before applying? Register for our FREE info session
Register Here

What is the Weekly Group Meeting Format?

Winchester Victor
Somatic Trauma Therapist
Cheam First Nation, Sto:lo Territory

What is a "Trauma-Informed" Group?

All of our work is based on values of safety and inclusion.

We want to give you choice and predictability.

Using the course platform, we will actively create safe spaces and groups by building and upholding trust, respecting all people, and integrating principles of trauma-informed practice.

We strive to create an inclusive space that supports diversity, curiosity and invites all people.

We recognize that every person on this planet is born into a system of oppression that elevates certain voices while marginalizing, oppressing and silencing others. We acknowledge that this system has promoted doing over being, masculine over feminine, working over resting, the head over the heart, thinking over feeling, and matter over spirit. This platform is intended to over-turn those systems of oppression and is a radical act of resistance against the forces of marginalization, disconnection and isolation.

We recognize that gathering in a circle and sharing authentically is a universal and ancient form of human connection that has persisted since the dawn of time. The creators of this course acknowledge the traditional unceded territories of the Sto:lo First Nations, on whose land we have developed this platform.

We affirm that the principles and practices we promote are derived from ancient Indigenous traditions that were dismissed and outlawed through colonization, and offer our deep gratitude to our Indigenous knowledge keepers.

We commit to building a space that feels safe to all people, everywhere, at all times.

Background Resources

Deb Dana: Anchored: How to Befriend Your Nervous System Using Polyvagal Theory  https://www.rhythmofregulation.com/

Sherri Mitchell:  Sacred Instructions: Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-Based Change 

Dr. Darcia Narvaez: Her work on attachment and how to re-attach adults through trauma-informed group work
Dr. Susan McConnell: Using Radical Resonance to calm nervous systems down 
Dr. Shannon Dames: Leading expert on resilience group models (Roots to Thrive) https://rootstothrive.com/
Community is Healing
Blog
Subscription Form
© 2023 Gathering Groups
Apply Now
Back to Top
crossarrow-right