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OCTOBER 20-23, 2026
HAVERFORD, PA
A gentle, creative retreat welcoming all to explore,
honor, and heal their grief.
A Safe Space
for Healing
Grief can feel isolating, overwhelming, and inadequately witnessed. The Meaningful Grief Retreat provides a supportive, creative, and experiential environment to gently tend to parts of yourself deeply impacted by loss. Whether your loss occurred recently or long ago, you are warmly welcome here.
Through our Meaningful Grief Model—combining creativity, movement, music, and Internal Family Systems (IFS)—you will explore healthy grief practices, connect with supportive peers, and discover new pathways to meaning and healing.Â
What to Expect
Where every heart is welcome to heal through creativity, connection, and compassion
Safety
Experience professionally guided grief healing in small and large group sessions where all grieving parts are welcomed and held.
Creativity
Engage in journaling, collage, music, and reflective exercises to understand your grief more deeply.
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Movement
Reconnect with your body through mindful walks and gentle movement on beautiful retreat grounds.
Nourishment
Enjoy healthy meals, snacks, teas, and water to support your body throughout the retreat.
Retreat
Schedule
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20
4PM–5:50PM: Check-in (overnight participants)
6PM: Dinner (overnight participants)
7PM–8:30PM: Cookies, Cocoa & Connection (open to all)
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21
8AM–9AM: Breakfast (overnight participants)
9AM–12PM: Retreat Activities
12PM–2PM: Lunch & Relax (Lunch served at 12:30PM)
2PM–5PM: Retreat Activities
5PM–6PM: Rest & Refresh
6PM–7PM: Dinner (overnight participants)
7PM–8PM: Mindful Evening Activity (open to all)
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22
8AM–9AM: Breakfast (overnight participants)
9AM–12PM: Retreat Activities
12PM–2PM: Lunch & Relax (Lunch served at 12:30PM)
2PM–5PM: Retreat Activities
5PM–6PM: Rest & Refresh
6PM–7PM: Dinner (day-trippers encouraged to bring picnic)
7PM–9PM: Parts Party (all encouraged to attend)
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23
8AM–9AM: Breakfast (overnight participants)
9AM–10AM: Check-out (overnight participants) & Mindful Movement Activity
10AM–12:30PM: Retreat Finale Activities
12:30PM–1:30PM: Lunch & Farewells
*please note schedule is subject to change.
Meet Your Facilitators
Guided by Nationally Recognized Grief Experts
Lara Krawchuk, MSW, LCSW, MPH
The Meaningful Grief model was developed by Lara as a response to the limitations of traditional grief frameworks—particularly for those carrying complex loss, trauma, or unspoken pain.
Lara is a licensed clinical social worker, certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapist and consultant, educator, and grief specialist with more than 30 years of experience supporting individuals and professionals through loss, trauma, and life transitions. Her work is grounded in deep clinical training and a belief in the human capacity for meaning, creativity, and self-led healing.
LEARN MORE ABOUT LARA
Emilee Duckworth, MSW, LCSW
Emilee has dedicated her social work career to supporting individuals and families through experiences of trauma and loss, with particular expertise in helping people heal from religious trauma. She brings a gentle, compassionate presence to her work, creating a safe space where participants feel seen, supported, and understood.
Known for her positivity, patience, and warm sense of humor, Emilee also guides new clinicians in building confidence in their skills through coaching, professional supervision, and continuing education courses. At the Meaningful Grief Retreat, she helps participants explore grief in a safe, creative, and healing environment.
LEARN MORE ABOUT EMILEERetreat Location:
St. Raphaela Center in Haverford, PA
Nestled on serene, wooded grounds in Haverford, Pennsylvania, St. Raphaela Center offers a peaceful retreat setting just outside Philadelphia. The site’s welcoming atmosphere, expansive natural surroundings, and thoughtfully maintained facilities provide a comforting environment for reflection, connection, and rest.
DIRECTIONS & INFO
Choose Your
Retreat Experience
Overnight Participant– Single
$900
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Includes: All retreat activities, cookies & cocoa reception, welcome gift, single occupancy, shared bath, three meals per day + all snacks, tea, coffee, and water
Details: 8 rooms available
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Overnight Shared Room - Two Participants
$1,500
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Includes: All retreat activities, cookies & cocoa reception, welcome gift, double occupancy, shared bath, three meals per day + all snacks, tea, coffee, and water
Details: Two rooms available, accommodating 4 participants total.
Note: Price includes registration for two participants
Daytime
Participant
$600
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Includes: All retreat activities, cookies & cocoa reception, welcome gift, lunch each day + all snacks, tea, coffee, and water
Details: 5 spots available
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