Hiraeth Hope & Healing Retreats

In 2024, Hiraeth Hope & Healing, Inc. will celebrate its fifth year of bringing together people from all walks of life who’ve been affected by adoption trauma and surprise DNA test results revealing that one or both of their parents are not biologically related to them—typically referred to as NPE (not parent expected). In these five years, it’s served more than 300 people on their DNA journeys, primarily through the hosting of three small group in-person retreats each year (with a maximum of 30 attendees), as well as bi-weekly Zoom meetings, weekly Book Club Zoom meetings, and several Facebook groups and group chats.

After another successful retreat in April 2024, in Surf City, New Jersey, Hiraeth Hope & Healing is preparing for its next gathering, to be held in Scottsdale, Arizona July 2024. As always, attendees will gather in a fully appointed luxury home for five days and four nights of laughter and tears as they meet new friends and old and participate in sessions with a team of facilitators to heal in a welcome and safe setting. During the retreat, attendees will take part in both small and large group sessions with licensed clinicians and therapists to learn how to recognize and reconcile the trauma, confusion, and upheaval of both adoption and shocking DNA discoveries. As one of the Hiraeth Hope & Healing founders, Erin Cosentino, always says, “Nothing has changed, yet EVERYTHING has changed.”

But it’s not all serious. Attendees also heal in the mundane moments, such as a morning cup of coffee with a new friend or while helping prepare dinner. They spend evenings together playing games like Cards Against Humanity and Jenga or split off in small groups chatting by the pool or gathered around the fire pit enjoying adult libations. Hiraeth Hope & Healing’s motto, Togetherness Heals, shines in these day to day activities attendees enjoy with each other.

This October, Hiraeth Hope & Healing will celebrate its fifth anniversary with a retreat in South Haven, Michigan, on Lake Michigan, that promises to be its best!

Here’s what some past attendees have said about the retreats:

• “Incredible experience of togetherness with people who get it.” Cassandra, NJ.
• “There were great workshops by skilled licensed facilitators, fun activities and games, and down-time to just chat. Friendly and supportive group. What a transformative experience. Loved it!” Michelle, DE.
• “Amazing group of people…If you are an NPE, MPE (misattributed parentage experience), DC (donor conceived person), adoptee, LDA (late discovery adoptee), this is the perfect place to find help & healing.” Sandy, PA.
• “This group has been life-changing in the most positive way.” Peggie, VA.
• “I highly recommend these retreats for all NPEs, DC, LDAs, and adoptees.” Heather, CT.

Hiraeth Hope & Healing, formed as a nonprofit in 2023, is a grassroots organization focused on compassionate group healing and therapeutic activities. Its founders and board members, Cosentino, Cindy McQuay, and Annie Persico, are part of the adoptee/NPE community and are very active in the DNA surprise world. The concept of small healing retreats was born at a meet and greet that took place in 2019, where Cosentino and McQuay first met. They agreed that the one night just wasn’t enough, so they soon came up with the idea of a weekend retreat. In October 2019, the first retreat was held in Brigantine, New Jersey over a three-day weekend. Again, that just wasn’t enough, and after much discussion (interrupted by COVID), the idea of extending the retreat over four or five days took shape and became what it is today. Now, Hiraeth Hope & Healing hosts three retreats each year in large luxury homes all over the United States. Find more information here.

Photos by @abbyyedmanphotography

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