What It Costs to Heal (And How to Get Help Covering It)
Equine Therapy Retreat in Cle Elum, Washington
Read time: 6 minutes
A question I get more than almost any other about our retreat at Cle Elum, Washington is some version of "what's this actually going to cost me." It's a fair question, and an important one, especially for survivors of sexual assault or domestic violence, who often have real reasons to worry about affording something like this.
If you're reading this from Bellevue, Mercer Island, Medina, or one of the other Eastside communities, this is also where you come in. The program depends on people in a position to give making sure the sliding scale and scholarship spots stay available for the survivors who need them.
So here's how the cost side of the retreat actually works.
We use a sliding scale, on purpose
The retreat isn't offered at one flat price for everyone. We use a sliding scale, and there's a simple application for anyone who needs a reduced rate or a full scholarship spot. This isn't a loophole or a last resort option, it's built into how the program works from the start.
Why this matters specifically for survivors
Financial control is one of the most common and least talked about tools used in domestic violence. Restricting access to money, running up debt in someone else's name, or making someone financially dependent are all recognized forms of abuse, not side effects of it. Which means for a lot of survivors, the years after leaving an abusive relationship are also the years with the least financial flexibility, right when a retreat like this might matter most.
A sliding scale exists so that cost isn't the reason someone misses out on this work.
What the application actually involves
Applying for a reduced rate or scholarship spot is a straightforward process, not an interrogation. We're not asking you to prove your trauma or justify your situation in detail. It's meant to be a low barrier way to make sure the retreat is genuinely accessible, not a hoop that adds stress on top of everything else you're carrying.
How the retreat stays fundable
Because a portion of spots go out at a reduced rate or fully covered, the program also relies on donations to stay sustainable. Every contribution helps cover things like facility costs, horse care, materials, and professional facilitation, so the sliding scale can keep working the way it's meant to.
A few ways people typically support this:
Smaller contributions that help cover supplies and materials for a session
Mid range gifts that sponsor a participant's reduced rate
Larger gifts that fully cover a scholarship spot for one survivor
None of these amounts are arbitrary, they reflect the real cost of running trauma informed programming well, without cutting corners on safety, group size, or professional facilitation.
What this means if you're considering applying
If cost has been part of what's held you back from considering this retreat, reach out and ask about the sliding scale and scholarship application before assuming it's out of reach. A lot of people rule themselves out before ever finding out what the actual cost would be for them specifically.
What this means if you want to support it
If you're not the one who needs the retreat but want to help make sure it stays accessible for someone who does, donations of any size genuinely help fund the sliding scale and scholarship spots for future participants.
How to give or apply
You can find donation details and program information at @letstalkconsent.ed on Instagram and TikTok, or through our GoFundMe page. If you're a survivor considering the retreat, reach out directly to ask about upcoming dates and the sliding scale application at Cle Elum, Washington. There's no cost to ask questions either.