Experiential Grief Skills on the Camino
Exploring Attachment, Living Loss & Death from Portugal to Spain
Departing From: Porto, Portugal
September 18-26, 2026
This 9-day, 8-night Experiential Grief Skills retreat invites you to walk 130 km along the Portuguese Camino from Portugal into Spain. This is not an easy walk. Each day requires physical endurance, presence, and willingness to move through discomfort. The pilgrimage itself becomes part of the learning, a lived experience of effort, surrender, rhythm, and resilience. The extended time on the trail offers space rarely available in everyday life: space to contemplate, to reflect, and to gently explore the deeper layers of attachment wounds, living losses, and mortality while walking in community.
Designed as an immersive professional experience, this retreat integrates structured teaching with embodied practice. Participants will earn 10 CEUs while engaging in experiential grief exercises, guided process work, and reflective dialogue woven into the daily walk. The physical journey mirrors the internal one, creating organic opportunities to examine identity, loss, transitions, and meaning and how this relates to our practice as therapists. The simplicity of the Camino supports clarity; the repetition of step after step allows insights to emerge naturally rather than be forced.
Throughout the pilgrimage, we will share the traditional albergue experience, staying in pilgrim hostels that foster connection, humility, and community. This shared rhythm of walking, resting, eating, and reflecting together creates a powerful container for both personal and professional growth. You will return not only with continuing education credits, and a stronger mind and body, but with a deeper embodied understanding of grief, a renewed relationship to your own life path, and a strengthened capacity to walk alongside others in theirs.
Registration:
Complete the registration form if you are interested in attending. Space is limited and on a first come first serve basis.
The Space
Enjoy Casa Mia’s pool, rancho, and beach, just steps from the Villa. Limited spots available for this Retreat, with king, queen, or twin beds options (rates vary based on room selection and are outlined in detail on the registration form). Includes fresh and locally inspired meals prepared by a private chef in the outdoor kitchen and a group dinner offsite at a beach front restaurant. Special dietary needs will be accommodated upon request.
We hope you can completely unwind and disconnect, however we also understand you may need to check in on your business to provide some peace of mind, so there is wifi available throughout the Villa if needed.
Enjoy a relaxing morning stroll on the beach, or an afternoon dip in the pool and spectacular sunsets from the pool deck. February is known as a warm month. The average maximum daytime temperature in Playa Hermosa in February lies at 30.5°C (86.9°F). The average minimum temperature goes down to around 18.9°C (66.02°F).
Retreat Includes
8 nights shared accommodation along the Portuguese Camino, including the traditional albergue (pilgrim hostel) experience
Daily experiential workshops integrating grief theory, attachment work, and embodied process
Group shuttle transportation from the airport to the Porto starting point
2 group breakfasts
1 tapas gathering to open our time together in community
3 shared group dinners
Guided integration conversations woven into the walking days
Facilitated reflection practices designed to deepen both personal insight and clinical application
Sample Schedule
Walking Days (Portugal → Spain)
6:30am Coffee / Light Breakfast Available
7:00–9:00am Pilgrims Depart at Their Own Pace
Participants are encouraged to walk in silence, in pairs, or in small groups — moving at a rhythm that supports reflection and physical capacity.
12:30–1:30pm Designated Lunch Meeting Point in Village
(Rest, refuel, connect informally)
2:00–4:00pm Arrival Window at Albergue / Accommodation
(Rest, showers, personal downtime, journaling)
4:30–6:00pm Experiential Grief Skills Session
(Attachment themes, living losses, integration practices, group process)
6:30pm Group Dinner
(Evening connection, reflection, explore local town)
8:00pm Optional Evening Contemplative Practice
(Silent walk, guided reflection, or peer dialogue)
Lights out varies — rest is essential.
Registration
Registration fees for the 9-day, 8-night Experiential Grief Skills pilgrimage is $3,150 CAD. Accommodation is shared in traditional pilgrim-style settings, with room configurations varying by location along the Camino. Participants will be thoughtfully paired for shared accommodations, with room assignments organized to support comfort and group cohesion. Adjustments may be made at the discretion of the retreat leaders as needed to best support the overall experience.
As this is an intentionally intimate retreat, space is limited to 12 therapists only and registration is offered on a first-come, first-served basis. A $750 CAD deposit is required to reserve your place. Flexible payment plans are available over 1–4 months to support accessibility.
Returning Retreat Season guests receive a 10% loyalty discount as a thank you for being part of our community.
Dietary Requests
We strive to accommodate dietary requests to the best of our ability. Guests who have specific dietary requirements or restrictions are kindly requested to inform us in advance. By providing us with this information ahead of time, we will make every effort to accommodate your dietary needs during the retreat with our Chef. While we will do our best to accommodate requests, we cannot guarantee the availability of specific ingredients or guarantee a completely allergen-free environment.
Transportation
We recommend booking your flight into Porto, Portugal (OPO) and arriving on the evening of the 17th, the night before the retreat officially begins. Arriving a day early allows time to rest, adjust to the time change, and begin the pilgrimage grounded and unrushed.
Participants are responsible for arranging their own flights and overnight accommodation in Porto on the 17th. On the morning of the 18th, a group shuttle will transport participants from the Porto Airport to the official Camino starting location. Specific meeting details and shuttle timing will be provided prior to departure.
Please ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your travel dates.
At the conclusion of the pilgrimage in Santiago de Compostela, guidance will be provided for airport transfers and onward travel. Participants may choose to depart from Santiago Airport (SCQ) or arrange return travel to Porto depending on flight preferences.
We strongly encourage booking flexible flights and travel insurance, as walking 130km across Portugal and Spain requires adaptability and care for the unexpected.
Travel Insurance
All participants of our retreat must secure appropriate travel insurance to protect themselves against unforeseen circumstances. Travel insurance should include coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical expenses, emergency evacuation, and personal liability. Participants are responsible for obtaining their own travel insurance and should ensure that the coverage meets their individual needs and requirements. Please review your insurance policy carefully and contact your insurance provider for any specific questions or concerns regarding coverage.
Other Details
Not included: flights/associated travel costs, travel insurance, gratuities and select meal on own and any additional excursions or outings on own. Closer to date, detailed information including a suggested packing list will be provided. This is a wellness retreat, not psychotherapeutic in nature.
Continuing Education Disclosure Statement
We are proud to offer a range of Continuing Education (CE) credits and opportunities. The availability and accreditation of CE credits depend on the background, nationality, and training of the facilitators leading each workshop. Please note who is facilitating and which countries they are from, to explore eligibility of the CEs for your clinical governing body.
It is important to note that within Canada, both provincial and national associations have their own unique regulations and requirements for CE recognition. While we strive to offer high-quality training that aligns with professional standards, we encourage participants to consult with their respective governing or clinical bodies prior to registration. This step will ensure that the CEs provided are recognized as accredited training in accordance with your specific professional guidelines.
We are here to answer any questions and support you in making the most of your retreat experience.
Cancellation Policy
This retreat includes extensive planning whereby we prepay for spaces to gather, therefore all payments are non-refundable regardless of the reason for cancellation even in the case of force majeure. We are often waitlisted and do our very best to try and replace a cancelled spot with another participant if ample notice is provided in writing. Upon that being successful, funds are returned except for the initial deposit and administration fee. It is important to understand that by purchasing a ticket for the retreat, you are agreeing to abide by our cancellation policy. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
WORKSHOPS & FACILITATORS/HOSTS
Workshops led by and co presented by an experienced therapist, Nicole Ripley, MC, RCC and Sarah Poole, RCC.
Facilitators/Hosts:
Sarah Poole, RCC, is a trauma therapist based in Vancouver, BC, devoted to helping people reconnect with safety, resilience, and self-trust. Her work is grounded in nervous system science and compassion, integrating Polyvagal-informed therapy, EFT, Somatic EMDR, Brainspotting, therapeutic yoga, and self-compassion practices.
Sarah specializes in guiding clients through trauma recovery using body-based and attachment-focused approaches that gently support deep, lasting change. Her style is warm, grounded, and intuitive — blending clinical expertise with embodied wisdom.
Beyond the therapy room, Sarah is an international retreat leader, facilitating transformational experiences in Mexico, Nicaragua, the Dominican Republic, and Spain. Her retreats weave together trauma-informed healing, movement, mindfulness, and community in restorative natural settings.
A dedicated pilgrim at heart, Sarah has walked over 3,500 km along the Camino de Santiago — an experience that deeply informs her belief in healing as a courageous, step-by-step (‘poco a poco’ ‘little by little’) journey back to oneself.
Nicole Ripley, BA, MC, Registered Clinical Counsellor & Group Practice Owner
Nicole Ripley is a seasoned leader in the world of group practice ownership, blending clinical expertise with business acumen to create thriving, sustainable practices. With over a decade of experience as a clinical therapist, clinical supervisor, and the visionary force behind a rapidly growing multi-location practice, she has built an organization of over 80 staff, including 55 therapists across eight locations. External from clinical work and business development, she has developed a strong financial portfolio through diversifying income, real estate and the stock market.
Nicole has helped countless therapists gain clarity on their professional and financial goals, guiding them toward success without compromising their values. She is passionate about equipping therapists with the knowledge and strategy to build profitable, fulfilling private practices—proving that financial success and ethical, client-centered care can go hand in hand.
