Thursday April 30, 2026 - Sunday May 3, 2026 | Malibu Dunes Home + Shakti Ranch
Healing with Horses:
A Grief Retreat
Rooted in Somatic Wisdom, Stillness, and Soulful Connection
Come home to yourself in Malibu
HEAL WITH HORSES, GRIEF SUPPORT, AND SOUL-NOURISHING CONNECTION.
This retreat takes place at Malibu Dunes, an oceanfront estate sitting directly on Broad Beach. The Pacific is outside the window. The horses are nearby. The space was chosen because rest is part of the work.
Through equine-assisted learning, group support, and somatic awareness, you will be invited to slow down and make contact with what you have been carrying. There is no performance required here. No timeline for what grief is supposed to look like by the end.
Angela and her co-facilitators bring clinical depth and lived understanding to every part of this container. The horses bring something harder to name, and just as real.
Whether you are moving through a recent loss or something older that has never quite had room, this retreat holds space for both. You do not need to arrive ready. You only need to arrive.
Now booking for 2026!
Thursday April 30, 2026 - Sunday May 3, 2026 | Malibu Beach Resort + Shakti Ranch
Want to learn more?
WATCH OUR INFO SESSION, WHICH COVERS ALL THE IMPORTANT DETAILS THAT GO INTO THIS RETREAT
Who this retreat is for
This retreat is lovingly designed for you if:
You’ve lost a parent, child, partner, or someone deeply significant—and feel like the world kept spinning while you were left holding the ache.
You identify as a Motherless Daughter and are seeking space to process that loss in the company of others who understand.
You’ve been feeling stuck in your grief—numb, overwhelmed, or unsure how to move forward.
You long for somatic, body-based healing beyond talk therapy.
You’re carrying childhood wounds that still echo through your nervous system, relationships, or sense of self.
You crave meaningful connection—with others, with nature, and with yourself.
You’re curious about the healing power of horses, even if you’ve never worked with them before.
You’re ready for a supported pause… a moment to soften, breathe, and begin again.
No prior experience with therapy or horses is required. Just bring your grief, your tenderness, and your truth. We’ll meet you there.
Meet Your Hosts
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Angela Schellenberg
THERAPIST & LEAD FACILITATOR
angelaschellenberg.comAngela is a trauma and grief therapist, Mother Hunger® facilitator, and equine therapy practitioner. With a background shaped by personal loss and deep clinical training, she creates spaces where healing feels not only possible—but sacred. Her gift lies in gently guiding others back to themselves, through the body, through story, and through the intuitive wisdom of the herd.
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Claire Bidwell Smith
GUEST FACILITATOR – GRIEF THERAPIST & AUTHOR
clairebidwellsmith.comClaire is a renowned grief therapist and author whose work has supported thousands through the complex landscape of loss. With compassion, clarity, and soulful presence, Claire helps participants explore the emotional and spiritual layers of grief with honesty and grace.
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Rose Mary Riggs
EQUINE FACILITATOR – SHAKTI RANCH
shaktiranch.comRose Mary is the founder of Shakti Ranch and a gifted equine facilitator. Her connection with the horses—and her deep understanding of their intuitive power—creates an environment where healing unfolds in ways words often cannot reach. She guides with grounded energy, humor, and a fierce reverence for the human–horse bond.
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Ace Yoga LA
YOGA & SOUND BATH FACILITATOR
aceyogala.comAce brings healing through breath, movement, and vibration. Her yoga and sound bath sessions are trauma-informed and deeply restorative—an invitation to settle the nervous system and reconnect with the present moment.
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Alexis Kimball
ADOPTION GRIEF LOSS & EMDR THERAPIST
alexiskimball.com
Alexis is a trauma-informed therapist and coach specializing in the unique experiences of transracial adoptees. Drawing from her own journey as a Black adoptee raised in predominantly white spaces, she offers a holistic, attachment-based approach that honors the complexities of identity, belonging, and healing. Through EMDR, somatic practices, and soulful connection, Alexis helps clients reclaim their voice and integrate all parts of themselves. -
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Emma Barnosky
EQUINE FACILITATOR & SOMATIC PRACTITIONER
emmabarnosky.com
Emma is a certified Equine-Assisted Learning Facilitator and somatic practitioner whose work bridges science, spirituality, and the healing power of the horse-human bond. With a deep understanding of how trauma disrupts connection, she helps clients regulate their nervous systems and rebuild trust in relationship—without needing to retell their story. Alongside her equine co-facilitators, Emma offers experiential sessions that invite safety, presence, and a return to authentic connection. -
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Angel Rae Okino
GUEST FACILITATOR – Certified Somatic Facilitator & Coach
https://www.raeokino.com/Rae Okino is a holistic wellness practitioner specializing as a Certified Somatic Coach & Facilitator, Reiki & Qi Gong Master, Sound Healer, and Laughter Therapist.
Through these modalities, Rae promotes balance, healing, and self-discovery for those seeking embodied living and nervous system regulation.
What’s included
EVERYTHING IN THIS RETREAT HAS BEEN LOVINGLY CURATED TO SUPPORT YOUR HEALING—BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT.
3 nights at the serene Malibu Dunes
Nestled in the hills with views of the Pacific and space to exhale.
5 hours of equine-assisted learning
Guided by trained facilitators and the intuitive wisdom of the herd.
Daily group grief sessions
Held with care, clinical expertise, and a commitment to honoring your truth.
Yoga + sound bath sessions
To settle your nervous system and bring your body into the healing process.
Chef-prepared meals
Nourishing, seasonal, and soul-soothing—with dietary accommodations available.
Optional bodywork & energy healing(additional cost)
Massage, reiki, and other healing sessions available for deeper integration.
Please note: If you’re not comfortable being photographed, we lovingly suggest you wait for a future retreat.
Let’s talk accommodations
Your stay at Malibu Dunes is designed to be a retreat within a retreat, a space where you can truly rest, restore, and be held.
This oceanfront estate sits directly on Broad Beach, with floor-to-ceiling windows, a private beachfront backyard, and unobstructed views of the Pacific.
7 bedrooms
Two primary suites with king beds and spa bathrooms featuring steam showers and soaking tubs
Outdoor hot tub, sauna, and direct beach access
Open-plan chef's kitchen, bar, and spacious lounge areas
Gated entrance and private setting
Whether you are watching the sun drop into the Pacific from the balcony, sitting with your journal in a quiet corner, or soaking in the outdoor tub under the stars, this is a place where your nervous system can finally exhale.
Let your room be part of your healing: soft, safe, and wholly yours.
The total amount for the retreat is $5,500.
We know that investing in your healing is a meaningful decision, and we’ve structured our payment options to offer flexibility and ease.
Deposit:
A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to reserve your spot.
The remaining balance can be paid in full or split into monthly payments.
Payment Options:
1. Pay in full
2. Pay deposit + monthly plan through Stripe
3. Choose private room upgrade during checkout
Final payment due by: April 2nd, 2025
Payment
& Refund Policy
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Pay in full
Secure your spot now and have your retreat fully paid.
No additional invoices or steps.
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Standard Payment Plan
Ideal if you're joining early!
$500 deposit to hold your spot.
Then 5 monthly payments of $1,000 from November 2025 to March 2026. -
Condensed Payment Plan
For those joining a little later!
$500 deposit to hold your spot.
Then 4 monthly payments of $1,250 from January to April 2026
Please note: Due to the nature of this retreat and limited capacity, absolutely no refunds will be offered for any reason. We encourage you to purchase travel insurance if needed. This sacred space is intimate by design. Your reservation helps us prepare accommodations, meals, and therapeutic support with great care.
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Have Questions?
Call us at (425)628-3354
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Located in:
Santa Monica, California
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Business Hours:
By appointment only:
Monday - Saturday
9am-3pm