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The Power of Women's Circles: A Journey to Healing and Connection

Writer's picture: Jennifer WestcottJennifer Westcott

Hello, dear readers of Therapist Sanctuary! It's Jen here, and today I want to share something deeply personal and profoundly impactful in my life: women's circles. This sacred space has been a cornerstone of my healing journey, and I believe it can be for many of you too.



What is a Women's Circle?

A women's circle is a gathering of women who come together to support, nurture, and heal each other. It’s a place where we can be our truest selves, without the masks we often wear in our daily lives. Just last Friday, I hosted a gathering for women interested in joining a circle. We had 12 women, most of whom had never experienced a circle before. We spent the evening running a circle and sharing how these gatherings have transformed our lives.


My Journey with Women's Circles

I first heard about women's circles in 1998, but back then, I wasn't ready. It felt a bit too "woo-woo" for me. I was still running from my own pain, knowing deep down that joining a circle meant facing it head-on. It wasn't until years later, amidst a personal crisis, that I realized I needed this space. I was struggling with addiction, childhood trauma, and the overwhelming demands of life. Despite having what looked like a perfect life on the outside, I was falling apart inside.


The Healing Power of Women's Circles

When I finally joined a women's circle, it was a revelation. These women, who were strangers at first, became my most intimate confidants. In the circle, we practice rituals like candle lighting and smudging to create a sacred space. We share our deepest fears and joys, support each other through life's ups and downs, and most importantly, we heal together.

One of the most profound experiences I had in a circle was during a session where we laid on a mattress, holding hands and listening to "Everybody Hurts" by R.E.M. We cried together, and in that moment, I felt a connection and understanding that I had never experienced before. We've also done role-playing exercises, where we voiced things we could never say in real life, allowing us to release years of pent-up emotions.


The Lasting Impact

The work we've done in these circles has been transformative. We've supported each other through deaths, suicides, divorces, and all the trials life throws at us. At the end of every circle, one of us inevitably says, "I don't know how women live without this." And truly, I don't. These circles have taught me to speak up for myself, to express my emotions honestly, and to embrace my true self without fear.


A Quote to Reflect On

I’d like to share a quote from Judith Duerk's "Circle of Stones," a book we often read in our circles:

"How might your life have been different if there had been a place for you, a place for you to go, a place of women to help you learn the ways of woman, a place where you were nurtured from an ancient flow sustaining you and steadying you as you sought to become yourself, a place of women to help you find and trust the ancient flow already there within yourself, waiting to be released, a place of women? How might your life be different?"

This quote encapsulates the essence of what a women's circle can offer: a space to explore, heal, and grow. If you're feeling the pull to join a circle, I encourage you to take that step. The journey is transformative, and you don’t have to do it alone.

Thank you for allowing me to share this with you. If you have any questions or want to learn more about joining a women's circle, please feel free to reach out.

Warmly, Jen


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