BY KAREN BOSSICK

Applications are being taken for the third Sun Valley Steadfast, a therapeutic intensive retreat for women survivors of sexual abuse.

The retreat being held in Hailey will launch with an opening ceremony from 5 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 6. The four-day retreat will follow from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 7 through Sunday, Nov. 10.

It will incorporate experiential interventions, including equine-assisted psychotherapy, art therapy, psychoeducation, nature-based therapeutics, individual sessions and gentle yoga/movement. It is based on cutting eduge neuroscience utilizing experienced trauma therapists.

More than half of women in the United States have experienced sexual violence at some pointin their life time, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

“This staggering statistic highlights the need for more opportunityies for women to come together and heal in community with one another,” said Laurie Strand.

Strand said the retreat is founded on two models—The community Resiliency Model, which teaches six wellness skills to discern the differences between sensations of balance/wellness and sensations of distress. These skills help the nervous system to settle and not be hijacked by reminders of past trauma or acute stress.

The Trauma Resiliency model offers mental health professionals nine skills to work with the biological base of trauma, with three of them focusing on trauma reprocessing.

Sun vAlley Steadfast was founded in 2022 by Melissa boley, LCPC, who passed the director role to Laurie Strand, LCSW, this year. Strand specializes in trauma and holes advanced certifications from The Trauma Resource institute in Claremont, Calif., where she has been mentored by Elaine Miller-Karas, the founder of the Trauma Resource institute and also a developer of the Community Resilience Model.

Strand is an associate senior faculty for the institute and teaches The community rEsiliency Model and Trauama Resiliencey model to national and international audiences.

The retreat is limited to eight women 18 years and older. Participants must be in therapy and survivors of sexual abuse. Lunch and light snacks will be provided.

A $200 non-refundable deposit is due upon acceptance; scholarships are available.

Sun Valley Steadfast is supported by local agencies, private donors and foundations, including The Advocates and St. Luke’s Center for community Health, which offer follow-up counseling sessions through their counseling scholarships for participants.

In addition to Strand, this year’s team includes Boley; trauma therapists Cecilee Heath, Courtney loving and Lydia Missal; certified equine specialist in mental health Lindsey Jameson and Mimi Crocker, therapeutic art practitioner Alison Higdon, and chef Melissa Mauselle.

To learn more, call 208-481-4639, email laurie@resiliency-rising.com or visit www.resiliency-rising.com.