WEST COAST EARLY MOTHER LOSS RETREAT
We’re excited to return to our West Coast retreat site in 2025 — with a program that we’ve carefully designed with input from more than 500 retreat alumnae.
They’ve told us their favorite parts of our programming. They’ve asked for small-ish groups. And they loved having a retreat for Early Loss on the West Coast.
We’re happy to offer you now:
a retreat for women who were up to 18 years old at time of loss;
an intimate group of just 14 participants;
facilitation from Hope and trauma therapist and motherless daughter Angela Schellenberg;
all in the magical setting of Topanga Canyon in Southern California (40 minutes from Los Angeles International Airport).
Our flagship three-night, four day gathering acknowledges and explores the complexity of early mother loss.
You’ll spend the weekend sharing stories and doing customized activities with an intergenerational group of women* who faced (and face) many of the same challenges you did — some of whom will have stories very similar to yours.
You’ll work directly with Hope and Angela, both of whom have extensive training and experience in the bereavement field.
PLEASE NOTE: All retreat participants must be 18 years or older now. At least 2 years must have passed since the death of your mother to qualify you for a retreat.
*Motherless Daughters welcomes all female-identified participants.
Note: Your registration includes all retreat programming and materials, plus six catered meals that can accommodate your dietary needs. It does NOT include overnight accommodations or transportation, though we have suggested two hotels below for you to consider. All registrants will be encouraged to join a private WhatsApp group to connect beforehand for rooming and shared rides.
Meet Your Facilitators
Hope Edelman
FACILITATOR
The bestselling author of Motherless Daughters, Motherless Mothers, and The AfterGrief, Hope is widely considered one of the world's foremost experts on early mother loss. She has been working with bereaved daughters for 30 years and knows the experience from the inside, having lost her mother, Marcia, to breast cancer when she was seventeen.
In 2016 Hope co-founded Motherless Daughters Retreats, which has now served more than 500 women at 26 retreats in the US and UK. As the founder of Motherlessdaughters.com she brings psychoeducation and support to thousands of women every year, both in person and online.
Hope’s articles and essays have been published in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Parade, CNN.com, Glamour, Real Simple, Writer’s Digest, and more. She speaks at bereavement and writing conferences worldwide.
She is a certified life coach and a Certified Trauma Support Services Provider, with additional training in Narrative Therapy, She lives in Los Angeles and spends every summer in Iowa City, Iowa.
Angela Schellenberg
CO-FACILITATOR
Angela Schellenberg is a licensed psychotherapist specializing in the complex challenges associated with trauma, grief, and loss. She is trauma certified and trained in attachment, EMDR, and TF-CBT.
Angela is also a certified Mother Hunger facilitator, drawing from the insightful work of therapist and author Kelly McDaniel. She regularly co-facilitates our West Coast Motherless Daughter retreats with Hope.
Angela came to this grief work after losing both of her parents by the time she was twenty-two: her father to gun violence when she was sixteen and her mother six years later after a long struggle with mental health and trauma.
Angela is no stranger to learning how to navigate grief and loss. She finds that it’s possible to process your grief and create a beautiful life after trauma. It’s ongoing work, and you are worth it.
WHAT CAN I HOPE TO
GAIN FROM THIS RETREAT?
Most motherless daughters have never had the experience of sitting in a room of women who understand their innermost challenges, triumphs, and fears. You’ll find that here.
You’ll meet other women who were the same age you were when your mother died Whether you were a young child, a teenager, or a young adult, you’ll connect with other women whose experiences are similar to yours.
At a Motherless Daughters Retreat, you'll be listened to and supported. Your story will be received with curiosity and compassion.
You’ll learn new ways to stay connected to your mom after her death, and to continue to honor her life and the relationship you shared moving forward.
YOUR RETREAT FEE:
$1495 Early Bird (by Jan 5, 2025)
$1795 Regular Registration (closes Mar 1, 2025)
Put down your $200 deposit (non-refundable) to hold your space and pay the rest over time!
A payment plan with three installments is available: $200 deposit upon registration + 3 installments of $445 on 1/1, 2/1, and 3/1. You may also pay the full tuition of $1495 upon registration.
PLEASE NOTE: Dinner on Thursday, lunch and dinner on Friday and Saturday, and brunch on Sunday are included in your retreat fee.
Housing and transportation to and from the retreat space in Topanga Canyon are NOT included.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Continental breakfasts on Friday and Saturday;
Six catered, healthy meals, (From the Welcome dinner on Thursday until the Closing Circle brunch on Sunday);
Coffee and Tea all day;
Customized activities and tips based on your retreat group’s specific needs;
Drop-in hours with Hope and Angela each afternoon;
Body movement class on Saturday;
All workshop materials;
A special gift bag, including a journal for note-taking and other fun items;
Access to a private WhatsApp group for pre- and post-retreat support;
A pre-retreat introductory Zoom call;
A follow-up group Zoom call two weeks post-retreat;
Priority access to future retreats and other offers;
A lifetime 10% discount on all future Motherless Daughters ONLINE offerings (support groups, webinars, online courses)
PLEASE NOTE: At least two years need to have elapsed since the time of your mother’s death to best meet your bereavement needs. Participants must have been age 18 or younger when they experienced the death of their mother. .
COVID-19 POLICY (AS OF 03/23):
We strongly suggest vaccination and a booster. We will not be testing or requiring tests of any participant. Each person assumes their own risk if they choose to attend this event, and everyone is encouraged to do what feels right in terms of masking. We are not able to give refunds outside of our normal cancellation policy (see below) for any sickness, so travel insurance is highly recommended.
CANCELLATION POLICY:
Up to 60 days prior to start date: fully refundable minus the $200 registration fee.
21-60 days prior the start date: 50% refundable minus the $200 registration fee.
From 21 days to the start date: non-refundable.
We suggest you purchase travel insurance when you book airline tickets to avoid flight cancellation fees.
Organizers reserve the right to cancel the retreat up to 21 days before start date if minimum enrollment has not been achieved. You would then receive a 100% refund of all payments made by that point.
WHERE YOU’LL BE CONNECTING, EATING & RETREATING:
Topanga Canyon, CA
SUGGESTED HOTELS:
Hotel Anza (Calabasas, CA)
Marriott (Woodland Hills, CA)
“At Hope’s retreat, I was able to find what I had been missing since my mother’s death- a sisterhood of women who understand, a sense of not being alone, and a safe place to feel my grief. That sense of community was more effective and comforting than any therapy I’ve had!”
“It’s been almost twenty five years since my mom passed away, yet I feel her presence with me and within me more strongly now than ever. I am so grateful for the gift of this retreat and new insight.”
“I didn’t really understand the impact this weekend would have on me until we were about a day and a half into it. I was nervous and unsure before walking through the front door even though I wanted to be on this retreat. I can’t really explain it, but for me, it was a magical experience. I guess a more grown up word would be transformative.”
“My experience at the retreat was truly transformative. Hope and Claire put together a weekend of deep reflection and kindness that enabled me to think through many of the feelings I’ve had for years. The opportunity to talk about mother loss with a group of women that really understand was amazing and the support that I continue to feel many weeks after the retreat is wonderful. I just wish I had done this sooner!”
Further retreat questions? Please send an email to melissa@HopeEdelman.com
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
A Motherless Daughter Retreat is a powerful and often life-changing event. We've compiled this detailed FAQ to answer common questions participants have before and after registration. If your question is not covered here, please contact us at melissa@hopeedelman.com.