Welcome to the Integrative Therapies Institute:
A Healing Program for Survivors of Mass Shooting Events

This program is designed to assist those who have experienced trauma, specifically those who were closely involved in mass shooting events.

Our intention is to help you further your healing process through an in-person, intensive and multi-modal approach that includes non-traditional yet highly effective healing techniques. 

We purposely keep the program small, with no more than 10 participants for optimal participation in small group activities as well as individualized assistance from trained volunteers and professional staff.

The program occurs over 5 days, located in the beautiful Blue Ridge mountains of southwest Virginia, in Rural Retreat. The setting is rustic*: a bunkhouse with communal sleeping quarters, shared showers and magnificent views of the mountains, close to the Appalachian Trail. All meals and lodging are included in the cost.

Our staff of professional counselors and trained volunteers are committed to culturally competent and trauma-informed practices.

Training sessions and group meetings take place in the main house, with comfy furniture and plenty of space to spread out. 

Program activities include:
  • Introduction to EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing),  Brain Spotting, &/or Neurotherapy
  • EFT Tapping (Emotional Freedom Techniques)
  • Dreamwork & journaling
  • Music & Art
  • Yoga, hiking & other active meditation techniques
  • Trauma education & processing
  • Reiki & other energy healing modalities
  • Group guided imagery meditation, mindfulness and drumming

This program is a part of an ongoing research study that is investigating the impact of mass shooting events on healing and recovery. Participants can opt in or out of the study.
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While food and lodging are included in this rustic, retreat-style institute, participants are responsible for transportation to and from the closest airports. A shuttle will pick up and return participants to airports. There may be an opportunity to apply for a flight scholarship on Southwest Airlines. Just ask!

Closest airports are Charlotte, NC (about 2 hours away) and Roanoke, VA (about 1.5 hours away). 

*More about the “RUSTIC” part:
  • Sleeping quarters: a bunkhouse that sleeps 10.
  • Twin beds inside a privacy cubby with curtain.
  • Each bunk is equipped with its own outlet and light.
  • Sheets, pillows, towels and washcloth included.
  • Group kitchen area.​
In addition, you'll have time to spend in the hot tub, make friends with the alpacas and angora goats and gather eggs from the multi-colored chickens that roam the property.

​THE HEALING TRAUMA PROGRAM IS RIGHT FOR YOU IF…

  • You know you need some help with healing but don't know where to start.
  • You’ve experienced a traumatic event or historical, ongoing trauma from living in a traumatic environment.
  • You're having a hard time re-entering your life as it used to be.
  • You’re feeling the wear and tear of your mental state on your body 
  • You long to connect with others who have had a experienced similar event.
  • You feel like your healing journey is plateaued.​

About the Institute Steering Committee

Suzan K Thompson, Ph.D., LPC, is a Licensed Professional Counselor (Virginia) with a private practice in counseling where she uses a variety of healing modalities. Dr. Thompson taught a popular course at Old Dominion University on Complementary, Alternative and Integrative Therapies in Mental Health Counseling from 2006 to 2013, the foundation of this certificate program.
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Email Dr. Thompson here.
Christine Berger, PhD, LPC is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Mental Health Counseling at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor and Clinical Supervisor in VA. She has researched and practiced complementary and integrative practices and clinical mental health counseling for 18 years.