Heartbreak Hotel
England
Therapy retreats for women to transform heartbreak into hope
Based on a serene country estate in Norfolk, where residential retreats are held, this is therapy as you've never known it - with laughter, comfort and, when needed, hot water bottles. Hugely experienced counselling psychologists – founder Alice Haddon and her colleague Dr Kate Scruby - offer women who have suffered betrayal a supportive space, where they can unpick their heartbreak and build resilience.
our Reviewer ‘Emma’ says of her moving beyond betrayal retreat:
‘I soon found I’d been telling myself all sorts of stories – that I’d been a rubbish wife and I was ugly and fat, and that’s why my husband had the affair’
Queen of Retreats says:
‘Having experts at hand 24 hours a day to help you unravel your thoughts is the equivalent of six months of weekly therapy, while the intensive group work turbocharges your recovery and healing. Alice, author of Finding Yourself at The Heartbreak Hotel, has 30 years’ experience in emotional recovery - be sure to put some thought into the exercises she sends you before the retreat.’
Experiences
There are two signature programmes on offer – Get Back Together with Yourself and Moving Beyond Betrayal. Alice Haddon, a heartbreak specialist, and Dr Kate Scruby, a trauma expert, will be joined by a psychology assistant.
Before the retreat you have a one-to-one call with one of the Heartbreak team, and a group zoom catch up afterwards. You can be part of a retreat WhatsApp group so you can keep in touch.
In an intimate group setting you will learn about love attachment styles - what yours is and why it matters. You’ll also uncover relationship narratives that have kept you caged and find out how to break free of them. Each retreat features a group session of EMDR, Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing, which aims to treat the trauma that often accompanies heartbreak.
You'll discover your core needs and how to have them met, and how to love with your whole heart and avoid infidels and narcissists forever. You'll also find out how to break free of rumination - on-a-loop thoughts that go round and round in your head, as well as how to live with invigorated purpose, meaning and hope.
You’re invited to put technology in a special box during the retreat so you can detox digitally. Spend your down time walking the wildflower meadows and relaxing in the hot tub, or head to the coast, a 10-minute drive away, for swims and walks along the sand. You can also relax by the fire and read or chat.
Spaces
Retreats take place on a country estate between the rolling fields and powdery beaches of North Norfolk. This is a rural retreat – you might see a tractor but not much else.
Your base will be in one of a collection of stylishly refurbished barns. Set across two floors, the airy architecture offers plenty of space for group chats or alone time.
Workshops take place in two cosy lounge areas, one with views over golden fields and a crackling fire. There’s no classroom vibe to this retreat - expect to relax on cosy sofas as you unpick emotions.
On fine days, there are also plenty of spaces outside where you can gather, including the large private garden, with outdoor seating and a barbecue area. There’s also a private outdoor hot tub.
Sleep in rooms stylishly refurbished and beautifully decorated, ranging from a single bedroom to a deluxe room, which has its own rolltop bath. All are single occupancy for maximum privacy and cocooning and have their own bathroom.
Sustenance
Chef Genevieve Levy curates seasonal vegetarian menus with local food, all prepared with healing in mind. Vegetarians and allergies can be catered for.
Breakfast might be Eggs Florentine, smashed chilli avocado, American pancakes with maple syrup and granola with seasonal compotes and Greek yoghurt.
Typical lunches are deep-filled caramelised onion gruyere and thyme tart, with a tomato carpaccio and a potato, onion and caper salad, or tarragon butter Portobello mushrooms, with jewelled wild rice and nutty kale salad.
Dinner starts with a mocktail (retreats are alcohol-free) – a sloegasm (sloe cordial and fake Prosecco) or a spicy margarita (limes, coriander, agave, chilli and water), and could be followed by aubergine, chickpea and preserved lemon tabneh with couscous and halloumi fries, or a curry.
Yummy snacks include blackberry, hazelnut and apple cake and orange and almond cake for tea, and teas, coffees and herbal infusions are available throughout your stay.
