Experiential Grief Skills on the Camino
Exploring Attachment, Living Loss & Death from Portugal to Spain
September 18-26, 2026 - Departing From Porto, Portugal
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:
Please complete the form below if you are interested in attending. This helps us learn a little about you and ensure the retreat is a good fit.
Is This Walk for You?
Choosing a retreat, especially one that involves walking the Camino, is a meaningful commitment. This experience blends movement, reflection, shared connection, and personal space, and it won’t feel the same for everyone. Taking a moment to check in with yourself can help you decide whether this journey feels aligned for you right now.
This retreat might not be the right fit if:
You strongly dislike walking or spending extended time outdoors.
You prefer a highly structured, rigid schedule rather than following a natural rhythm and trusting your own pace.
Shared group experiences feel uncomfortable or draining for you right now.
Spending time alone in reflection feels difficult or stressful.
But it may be exactly right for you if:
You’re ready to challenge yourself gently, even if it feels a little outside your comfort zone, knowing you’ll have support along the way.
You want to bring more mindfulness and presence into your daily life in a grounded, practical way.
You’re curious about other cultures and believe that a little adventure can deepen connection.
You’ve dreamed about walking the Camino but would prefer not to do it alone.
You’re excited about fresh air, laughter, movement, and meaningful moments, without having to plan every detail yourself.
You feel drawn to exploring the spiritual dimension of your life and work, in whatever way feels authentic to you.
If you’re looking for a retreat that balances personal reflection, community, movement, and meaning, this walk may be a powerful step on your path.
Retreat Includes:
8 nights shared accommodation along the Portuguese Camino, including a mix of small local hotels, guesthouses, and the traditional albergue (pilgrim hostel) experience
Supported walking across Northwest Portugal and Spain, following the Portuguese Camino route
Pilgrim Passport (Credencial) required for the Camino journey
Detailed walking stages, including elevation profiles, terrain information, and daily route guidance
Group shuttle transportation from Porto Airport to the starting point of the Camino
1-hour virtual pre-trip gathering to meet one another, review logistics, and answer packing or travel questions
Experiential workshops integrating grief theory, attachment work, and embodied process
Facilitated reflection practices designed to deepen both personal insight and clinical integration
Guided integration conversations woven naturally into the walking days
2 group breakfasts first and last day of the walk - several other light breakfasts are provided with our accommodation
3 shared group dinners together along the journey
1 tapas gathering to close our time together in community
Sample Schedule
Walking Days (Portugal → Spain)
6:30am–8:00am Coffee / Light Breakfast Available at most Albergues
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.
11:30–1:00pm Designated Meeting Point in Village
(Rest, refuel, connect informally)
2:30–4:00pm Arrival Window at Albergue / Accommodation
(Rest, showers, personal downtime, journaling)
4:00pm–5:00pm Personal Downtime & Journalling
5:00–6:30pm Experiential Grief Skills Session
(Attachment themes, living losses, integration practices, group process)
7:00pm Group Dinner
(Evening connection, reflection, explore local town)
9:00pm 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. To register you must complete an Expression of Interest Form. Please note all those who apply can attend, we have a series of questions to ensure eligibility. 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.
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.
FACILITATORS & HOSTS
Workshops led by and co-presented by experienced therapists, Nicole Ripley, MC, RCC and Sarah Poole, RCC (Sarah is also the Lead Guide for the walk).
Sarah Poole, Registered Clinical Counsellor
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, Emotionally Focused 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. She believes that healing happens not only through insight but through the body’s capacity to relearn safety and connection. Her style is warm, grounded, and intuitive — blending clinical expertise with embodied wisdom to help people move through pain with greater steadiness and self-understanding.
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 3,000 km along the Camino de Santiago — an experience that deeply informs both her life and her therapeutic philosophy. The Camino has taught her that healing, like pilgrimage, unfolds step by step: through presence, courage, and the willingness to keep moving forward poco a poco — little by little — back to oneself.
Nicole Ripley, BA, MC, Registered Clinical Counsellor & Group Practice Owner
Nicole Ripley is a trauma therapist, group practice owner, and retreat facilitator based in British Columbia. Since becoming a trauma therapist in 2014, her work has been grounded in supporting people through grief, loss, and life’s most profound transitions with compassion, honesty, and deep respect for the healing process.
Nicole is also the founder of a large multi-location counselling practice, where she has spent over a decade as a therapist, clinical supervisor, and leader supporting both clients and fellow clinicians. While she continues to mentor therapists in building sustainable and meaningful practices, her heart is deeply rooted in the relational and human aspects of healing work.
In December 2024, Nicole’s life changed when she lost her son, Everest. Since then, she has been walking her own ongoing grief journey, one that has deepened her understanding of loss, love, resilience, and the many ways healing unfolds over time. This experience now informs how she holds space for others navigating grief, both personally and professionally.
Nicole believes that healing happens not only in therapy rooms but also in movement, nature, and shared human connection. Walking the Camino offers a powerful metaphor for grief itself: a step-by-step journey where meaning, community, and quiet reflection unfold along the way.