Beyond Betrayal Retreat for Women Healing from Betrayal Trauma
August 7th - 9th 2026
Amarant, Yarra Valley
Begins
Friday 7th August at 4.30pm
Ends
Sunday 9th August at 2.00pm
Host
Madonna Keightley Betrayal Trauma Counsellor
How to find Amarant, Yarra Valley
Is this Retreat right for you?
You are on the journey towards healing after discovering your partner’s infidelity
You want to reconnect with yourself
You want a small group retreat (no more than 10 participants) with group activities and support
You feel so alone and ashamed to tell anyone
You want time away from daily responsibilities and time to focus on yourself
You want guidance from a qualified APSATS betrayal trauma counsellor
The intention of this Retreat
This retreat is for women who have experienced the shock and pain of relational betrayal, including infidelity, sex or porn addiction or any other secret sexual behaviours by their intimate partner. It is designed as a supportive space for women who want time to reflect, process and reconnect with themselves.
Healing from betrayal rarely happens in isolation. This retreat offers a guided space where women can step out of survival mode, connect with others who understand, and work on reclaiming their sense of self, clarity and inner strength.
What you will experience
Over the course of the retreat, you will be guided through a series of gentle, trauma-informed experiences designed to support both emotional and nervous system healing. The focus is not on forcing anything, just being in a supportive environment where you can begin to reconnect with yourself at your own pace.
Throughout the weekend there will be opportunities for reflection, guided conversations, somatic practices and quite time in nature. Each part of the retreat is designed to help you feel more grounded, understood and supported as you process the impact of betrayal.
You will also be surrounded by other women who understand the unique pain of relational betrayal, which often brings a sense of relief that you are not alone in what you have been carrying
What to look forward to.....
A Glimpse Into The Weekend
Fri 7th - Arrival & Opening Circle
Arrive at Amarant from 4:00-4.30pm and take time to settle into the space, and gently transition away from the demands of everyday life.
Our opening circle will be a warm and grounding welcome into the retreat experience, including a guided meditation, shared intentions, and gentle connection to help you arrive fully – not just physically, but emotionally and internally as well. Together, we will begin creating a space of safety, presence, and support for the weekend ahead.
Followed by a delicious dinner, then time to relax around the fire and connect.
Sat 8th - Exploring Where You Are, and Where You Want to Be
We will begin the day slowly with breakfast, followed by an overview of the day’s activities and a gentle grounding into the work ahead.
Throughout the day, you will be guided through exercises designed to deepen self-awareness, reconnect with your inner world, and begin identifying the shifts you long for in your healing journey. One of these exercises invites you to “sculpt” where you are emotionally right now – giving shape and expression to experiences that are often difficult to put into words. Later in the day, we will explore a second sculpting exercise focusing on where you want to move towards.
The day will also include a workshop around understanding and taming the trigger cycle, helping you make sense of the emotional and nervous system responses that so often accompany betrayal trauma. Rather than judging your reactions, we begin learning how to respond to them with greater awareness, compassion, and safety.
There will be space throughout the day for morning tea, lunch, rest, reflection, and connection. In the afternoon, we will slow down with gentle yoga and grounding practices before gathering again for dinner and quiet connection around the fire.
Sun 9th - Integration, Reflection & Closing
We will begin the morning with breakfast, followed by an overview of the day’s activities and space to gently settle into the final day of the retreat.
Today includes an opportunity to ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of addiction, compulsive sexual behaviours, and deceptive sexuality, with a visiting CSAT joining us for an open and supportive discussion. This session is designed to bring clarity, validation, and education to experiences that can often feel confusing and isolating.
As part of our closing process, we will also take part in a meaningful reflective activity using the words and observations shared by other participants throughout the retreat. Over the weekend, each woman will have received written reflections from the group placed into individual jars bearing her name – moments where others witnessed their strength, courage, tenderness, insight, or growth. Together, these reflections will be woven into a braid, symbolising connection, support, and the reminder that healing does not have to happen alone.
The retreat will close with a gentle closing ceremony where participants are invited to share their experience of the weekend, reflect on what they are taking with them, and honour the work they have done. We will then share lunch together before departing for home.
What's Included
Friday dinner
Saturday breakfast, lunch and dinner
Sunday breakfast and lunch
Morning and afternoon tea.
A thoughtfully guided program designed to support emotional processing, nervous system regulation, and connection with others who understand the experience of betrayal trauma.
Investment in Yourself
This retreat is intentionally small so that each woman receives personal attention and space to be supported in her healing.
Your investment includes accommodation, all meals, group sessions and the full retreat experience across the weekend.
Option 1 - Retreat + Own bedroom
Deposit of $290 to secure your place. Payment options available.
$1290
Option 2 - Retreat + shared bedroom
Deposit of $290 to secure your place. Payment options available.
$1190
Option 3 - Retreat + Shared Loft Bedroom
There is one loft twin share bedroom (access is via a ladder - do not consider this is option if you are not able to climb a ladder or need to use the loo during the night). Deposit of $290 to secure your place. Payment options available.
$990
FAQs
If you feel this retreat may be right for you, you are invited to register your interest. I will then arrange to chat with you to discuss where you are in your healing journey and whether this retreat would be supportive and beneficial for you at this time.
If the retreat feels like a good fit, you will then be invited to confirm your place.
https://beyondbetrayal.com.au/#contact
No. My retreat is open to women who are new to my work as well as those already attending counselling. However, if you are not a client, I will call you to have a chat prior to booking your spot.
No. You will always be invited to participate at your own pace.
Some women find it helpful to share, while others prefer to listen and reflect quietly. You are free to participate in whatever way feels comfortable and supportive for you.
This retreat has been intentionally kept small, with no more than 10 attendees, so each woman has space to feel supported and heard throughout the weekend.
Experiencing a range of emotions is completely normal when we slow down and begin to process the impact of betrayal. The retreat environment is designed to be supportive and respectful of each woman’s pace.
You are always encouraged to listen to your own needs. If at any time you need space, rest, or quiet reflection, doing so is completely welcome.
Yes. Respect for privacy and confidentiality is very important. All participants are asked to honour the personal stories and experiences shared within the retreat space.
Women come to this retreat at many different stages of their healing journey. Some may be very early after discovery, while others may have been processing the impact of betrayal for some time.
What matters most is that you feel ready to spend some time focusing on yourself and your healing.
Upon registering your interest, Madonna will arrange to speak with you to understand where you are in your healing journey, assess whether the retreat would be supportive for you at this time, and help alleviate any concerns or fears you may have.
Many women attending the retreat are still trying to make sense of what has happened in their relationship. You do not need to have made any decisions about whether you will stay or leave your partner.
This retreat is not about pushing women toward a particular outcome. Instead, it is a space for you to slow down, process what you have been through, and reconnect with your own thoughts, feelings, and needs.
Gaining clarity often begins when we allow ourselves the time and space to step out of the chaos and focus on our own healing.
Comfort is the priority for this retreat. You are welcome to wear whatever helps you feel relaxed and at ease. Many women find that comfortable loungewear and sheepskin slippers/boots work perfectly in winter.
As we will also be participating in gentle yoga, it’s helpful to wear clothing that allows you to move and stretch comfortably.
It will be winter in the Yarra Valley, and can be quite cool outside, so bringing warm layers such as a jumper, jacket, and comfortable walking shoes is recommended. The retreat space indoors will be warm and cosy.
Our retreat menu has been thoughtfully designed to provide nourishing shared meals throughout the weekend. Vegetarian options and some gluten-free choices will be available. Unfortunately, we are unable to cater for additional specialised dietary requirements.