What if the very reasons you think you can't step away—the lack of time, the money worries, the doubt—are actually the clearest signs that you need to? In this final episode of The Circle Revealed summer series, I'm opening the door to The Well—my annual retreat and experiential training in Colorado for therapists, healers, and guides who are longing for more soul in their work and more spaciousness in their lives. Inside this conversation, I share: Why Circle is the antidote to depletion, disconnection, and burnout How The Well blends restorative retreat with experiential training in Circlework Reflections from women who've come before—what they discovered, and how it rippled into their work and lives Whether you're feeling the therapy room grow too tight, sensing a call to community, or curious about stepping into facilitation yourself, The Well may be your next threshold. ✨ Learn more and apply here: carriehayneslpc.com/thewell Direction: Carrie Haynes Production: Hayley Lewis Music: Song: Embrace Composer: Sappheiros Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ZVHXQZAIn9WJXvy6qn9K0 License: Creative Commons (BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com
Carrie Haynes returns from her first fall retreat with reflections on the unseen work that made the experience so beautiful and easeful. In this episode of The Web: Weaving Psychology and Soul in Circle, Carrie explores the relational preparation that begins long before a retreat — conversations with first-time participants, attunement to returning ones, and quiet listening for what each circle is ready to become. You'll hear: Why most retreat leaders skip pre-screening — and what's lost when they do How early connection shapes safety, depth, and group cohesion Ways to prepare both new and returning participants Options for pre-retreat preparation when 1:1 calls aren't feasible Why this process supports the facilitator's own nervous system How pre-retreat tending lets the magic of retreat truly unfold For facilitators wanting to learn Carrie's full pre-retreat process — including her structure, questions, and mentorship on applying it in your own work — visit carriehayneslpc.com/mentorship. 🎧 Listen now and begin preparing your next retreat from the inside out. Direction: Carrie Haynes Production: Hayley Lewis Music: Song: Embrace Composer: Sappheiros Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ZVHXQZAIn9WJXvy6qn9K0 License: Creative Commons (BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com
In this episode of The Web, I'm sharing a very personal journey — how I've been practicing essentialism this past year and what it's teaching me about life, home, and Circle. By nature, I'm someone with a thousand ideas and endless excitement for new possibilities. I love that about myself, but it can also leave me spread too thin, frantic, and giving myself away. Learning to let go — to do less, but better — has been revolutionary for me, and it continues to be a work in progress. In this episode, I explore: ✨ What happened when I pared down my business to focus on Circle ✨ How decluttering my home created surprising peace and clarity ✨ The perennial spiritual wisdom that connects simplicity with freedom ✨ Why facilitators often hide in chaos — and what changes when we distill our work ✨ How I learned, through retreat prep, that adding more can dilute the magic ✨ Circle itself as the perfect example of "less, but better" ✨ Simple reflections to help you empty your own bowl This practice of essentialism isn't about perfection. It's about courageously letting go of the clutter so there's room for what matters most. My hope is that hearing my story encourages you to find your own way of choosing less — and discovering the more that's waiting there for you. Direction: Carrie Haynes Production: Hayley Lewis Music: Song: Embrace Composer: Sappheiros Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ZVHXQZAIn9WJXvy6qn9K0 License: Creative Commons (BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com
In this fourth episode of The Circle Revealed series, I'm pulling back the curtain on the Seven Pillars that form the foundation of every sacred, life-changing Circle I lead. These principles—rooted in the lineage of my mentor, Jalaja Bonheim—are the invisible architecture that makes Circle a place of safety, depth, and transformation. Whether you've been in a Circle before, are considering joining one, or feel called to hold these spaces yourself, the Seven Pillars offer a map for creating gatherings that nourish both heart and soul. In this episode, I explore: ✨ The larger web of connection that shapes our work together ✨ Spirituality in its most open, inclusive form ✨ The power of the circle shape itself as a symbol of wholeness ✨ The essential role of the feminine in leadership and healing ✨ Why embodiment changes what's possible in a group ✨ How we learn to be in healthy relationship again ✨ Spaciousness as an antidote to the frantic pace of life These Pillars aren't just concepts—they're living practices that ripple outward into our relationships, communities, and the world. My hope is that they offer you something to lean on in your own healing, leadership, and way of being. Direction: Carrie Haynes Production: Hayley Lewis Music: Song: Embrace Composer: Sappheiros Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ZVHXQZAIn9WJXvy6qn9K0 License: Creative Commons (BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com
In this third episode of The Circle Revealed series, I'm joined by Constance Wilson, Carla Canfield, and Tiffany Lehman—three thoughtful and courageous women whose journeys into Circle began with The Well, my experiential retreat for therapists and healing professionals. Their initial retreat experience opened the door to unexpected transformation, which deepened through The Nest, my six-month mentorship program that includes a practice retreat for integration and facilitation. In this conversation, they reflect on: ✨What first drew them to Circle ✨The surprising depth of healing that emerged at The Well ✨Challenges and inner blocks they faced along the way ✨How Circle has shaped their lives, work, and relationships ✨The power of connection and shared growth within the group Their stories offer a grounded and heartfelt glimpse into what unfolds when women step into spaces that invite presence, vulnerability, and belonging. Guests: Constance Wilson – www.deep-medicine.com Carla Canfield – www.carlacanfield.com Tiffany Lehman – www.tiffanylehman.com Learn more: www.carriehayneslpc.comDirection: Carrie Haynes Production: Hayley Lewis Music: Song: Embrace Composer: Sappheiros Additional Music from Alsever Lake: Alsever Lake is an acoustic, calming soundscape that surrounds you in the tranquil, peaceful environment found only in nature. Songs used - Lantern Light, HAGFD, The Ides of March, Through the Dust and Pines
In this second episode of The Circle Revealed, I sit down with psychotherapist Maggie Robbins, whose life and work have been profoundly shaped by stepping into Circle. With advanced training in EMDR, Internal Family Systems, and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy, Maggie brings a grounded, relational presence to her work. But it was Circle that opened a deeper doorway—one that continues to shape how she holds space, connects with clients, and lives into her own healing path. In this episode, Maggie shares: ✨ What first drew her toward Circle—and why she kept coming back ✨ The subtle but powerful ways Circle has deepened her clinical work ✨ How Circle differs from traditional group therapy ✨ Why connection, presence, and shared vulnerability are central to healing ✨ Her reflections on being a therapist who also needed to be held Whether you're a clinician exploring group work or someone simply curious about what Circle makes possible, Maggie's story is an honest, soulful window into the kind of transformation that unfolds when we say yes. Let's begin. Guest: Maggie Robbins Website: www.maggierobbins.net Direction: Carrie Haynes Production: Hayley Lewis Music: Song: Embrace Composer: Sappheiros License: Creative Commons (BY 3.0) Music powered by BreakingCopyright Additional Music from Reveille: Organically grown instrumentals by Brendan St. Gelais Songs used - Road to Nowhere, One Last Hurrah, Finish Line
In this first full episode of The Circle Revealed, I share what makes Circle different from therapy—not as a replacement, but as a powerful remembering. For so many therapists and healing professionals, there comes a point when something begins to feel too tight. The therapy room starts to feel clinical, the pace unsustainable, and the sacred… missing. That's where Circle comes in. It's not a modality—it's a way of being. A field we co-create. In this episode, I share: ✨ Why therapy alone sometimes leaves us feeling stretched, isolated, or disconnected ✨ A pivotal turning point in my own journey that led me to discover Circle ✨ The three foundational gifts Circle offers that most therapy spaces forget: — Wholeness as the ground, not the goal — Embodiment as a sacred portal — Spaciousness that heals ✨ A deeper reflection on why Circle speaks to this cultural moment—and why now matters Whether you're a therapist feeling the quiet ache for something more… Or simply someone curious about what happens inside a Circle… This episode offers a grounded, soulful invitation to explore. Let's begin. Direction: Carrie Haynes Production: Hayley Lewis Music: Song: Embrace Composer: Sappheiros Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ZVHXQZAIn9WJXvy6qn9K0 License: Creative Commons (BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com
In this opening episode, I introduce The Circle Revealed—a special summer series for therapists and healing professionals who are curious about Circlework and what makes it so transformational. This isn't just theory—it's an invitation into a different way of gathering. One that's grounded, embodied, and relational. One that can shift the way you work, lead, and live. In this series preview, I share: ✨ Why I created The Circle Revealed ✨ Common questions I hear from therapists about Circle (and why it's hard to describe) ✨ What this work has opened in my own life and practice ✨ A preview of what's to come in the full 6-part series—including stories, reflections, and conversations with women who've experienced The Well retreat If you've been feeling drawn toward more soul in your work… more sacredness in your spaces… or simply wondering what happens in Circle—this series is for you. Let's begin. Direction: Carrie Haynes Production: Hayley Lewis Music: Song: Embrace Composer: Sappheiros Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ZVHXQZAIn9WJXvy6qn9K0 License: Creative Commons (BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com
In this heartfelt episode, I explore three of the most common (and often invisible) barriers that keep women facilitators and heart-led leaders stuck. These aren't mindset issues—they're survival strategies we've inherited from a culture that hasn't always supported women's leadership. Drawing on insights from a recent retreat inside The Nest mentorship program, as well as my own personal experiences, I'll walk you through: ✨Why fear of visibility, over-giving, and isolation show up ✨How these patterns are trying to keep you safe ✨Ways to gently begin moving through them, at your own pace If you've been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or not "ready" to step into your next expression of work, this episode is here to meet you with compassion, truth, and encouragement. Your medicine is needed—not someday, but now. Direction: Carrie Haynes Production: Hayley Lewis Music: Song: Embrace Composer: Sappheiros Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ZVHXQZAIn9WJXvy6qn9K0 License: Creative Commons (BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com
In this special episode, Carrie Haynes sits down with her friend and colleague, Dr. Craig Heacock, on his podcast Back from the Abyss for a deep and personal conversation about her journey as a group therapist. Carrie shares how she first fell in love with group work, the pivotal moments that shaped her approach, and the evolution from traditional therapy groups into the heart-centered, transpersonal circles she now facilitates. Together, they explore the joys, challenges, and sacred responsibilities of group facilitation, as well as the inner work required to hold transformational space for others. Whether you're a therapist, facilitator, or someone drawn to the magic of group healing, this episode offers inspiration, insight, and a heartfelt window into the power of community-based transformation. In this episode, you'll hear about: ✨Carrie's early roots in group therapy and what drew her to this work ✨The transition from clinical to intuitive, heart-centered facilitation ✨The spiritual and transpersonal elements of group process ✨The art of holding space and the relational dynamics that emerge in groups Direction: Carrie Haynes Production: Hayley Lewis Back from the Abyss Music: 🎶0:00 - 0:45 Song: Embrace Composer: Sappheiros Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ZVHXQZAIn9WJXvy6qn9K0 License: Creative Commons (BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com
Welcome back to The Web! In this episode, Carrie sits down with her friend and colleague, psychiatrist Dr. Craig Heacock, host of Back from the Abyss, to explore the subtle yet powerful energies of transference and countertransference in therapy—especially in group work and psychedelic-assisted healing. They'll discuss: ✨ How transference and countertransference shape group dynamics and therapeutic relationships ✨ The challenge of balancing self-awareness as facilitators while holding space for others ✨ How unresolved emotions and past relationships can resurface in therapy—and what to do about it …and so much more! 🎧 Listen to Carrie and Craig on Back from the Abyss 🔗 Visit Carrie at carriehayneslpc.com Direction and Original Idea: Carrie Haynes Production: Hayley Lewis Music: 🎶0:00 - 0:32 Song: Embrace Composer: Sappheiros Website: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5ZVHXQZAIn9WJXvy6qn9K0 License: Creative Commons (BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/ Music powered by BreakingCopyright: https://breakingcopyright.com 🎶25:11 - 25:25 Song: Autumn Music composed and recorded by Oak Studios. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iHRk24Jf3cc&list=PL8hapc2gtF5FoikFLT1aJwx4ewIOM-TrZ&index=45&ab_channel=OakStudios License: Creative Commons - Attribution ND 4.0 🎶43:13 - 43:28 Song: Every Little Thing Music composed and recorded by Oak Studios. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=udOBhsuWEJM&list=PL8hapc2gtF5FoikFLT1aJwx4ewIOM-TrZ&index=43&ab_channel=OakStudios License: Creative Commons - Attribution ND 4.0 🎶1:10:52 - 1:11:58 Song: Embrace Composer: Sappheiros
This week Carrie is joined by Duey Freeman. Duey is a sought-after teacher, trainer, licensed therapist, and equine professional worldwide. He has taught worldwide and developed a practical attachment theory and human development theory taught to thousands of university students.He has nearly 80,000 direct client hours and co-founded the Gestalt Equine Institute and the Gestalt Institute of the Rockies. He supervises therapists and graduate students and does business and land consultations for new equine therapy sites. He embodies both tenderness and strength in all his relations and work. His quality of contact and relationship with others is authentic and unique. People come from around the world to study with him. Duey is a true elder and mentor exploring new horizons in facilitating men's growth work. Gestalt and Relational Horsemanship are not just approaches to Duey; they are how he walks through the world. Together, they'll discuss: Working therapeutically with men individually and in groups. Balancing structure and softness. Working with projection and transference. The primal and divine And much more… You can connect with Duey at https://www.dueyfreeman.org/ Visit Carrie at carriehayneslpc.com Direction and Original Idea: Carrie Haynes Production: Hayley Lewis Music Credits: Vlad Gluschenko — Possible License: Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/deed.en Hyde – Acoustic/Folk Instrumental - Free Instrumentals https://soundcloud.com/davidhydemusic Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0 Scandinavianz – Wake Up Website: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCqENmE-PkgoNp2e6PWwlcZA License: Creative Commons (BY 3.0) https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
This week Carrie is joined by Koelle Simpson. Koelle is a life coach, horse whisperer, spiritual mentor with more than 20 years of experience supporting clients and leading retreats around the globe. She is the founder of an internationally renowned Equus Coaching Movement and supports individuals and organizational clients worldwide, both online and in person, including South Africa, Europe, the UAE, Canada, and the United States. Beginning in early childhood, horses were an important part of Koelle's journey to overcome trauma and rebuild a sense of trust in herself. Koelle's work has been featured in O Magazine, BBC Business Report, the National Journal, the OWN Network and she is a TEDx speaker. She has traveled the globe providing unique nature based retreats that invite participants to discover what's possible when we feel safe enough to be our whole selves. Koelle holds a bachelors in psychology from Naropa University. She is trained as an advanced Somatic Experiencing practitioner, a DARe Attachment Theory practitioner, and a Psychedelic Somatic Institute therapist with 14 years of experience supporting psychedelic therapy. At present, Koelle is completing a memoir that is being developed into a feature film. Beyond the intentions of creating a full feature-length film, this ambitious project is designed to empower youth and adults to transform trauma's impact into resilience and healing. Together they'll discuss: Koelle's personal journey and the role that animals played in her healing. A window into working with Koelle Working with psychedelic medicine The importance of integration in psychedelic work And much more… You can connect with Koelle at http://www.koellesimpson.com Visit carriehayneslpc.com to learn more. Direction and Original Idea: Carrie Haynes Production: Hayley Lewis
This week Carrie is joined by Annie Weiss, LICSW, CGP, FAGPA. Annie has a private practice in Newton, MA. She holds degrees from Yale University and Smith College, and has taught group dynamics to Harvard Medical Students, at the Boston Institute for Psychotherapy and Boston College. She is a certified group psychotherapist, and a certified IFS therapist. Annie consults with community mental health centers, leads local, national and international training on topics related to group therapy, and leads process-oriented training groups for clinicians online and in person. She is co-author of the book Women, Intersectionality and Power in Group Psychotherapy Leadership. Together they'll discuss: How Annie blends IFS, interpersonal, and psychodynamic theories Working with your own system as a group facilitator The unique challenges that people who identify as women face in group leadership roles The challenges and rewards of training group therapists And much more… You can connect with Annie at http://www.annieweisstherapy.net/ You can buy her book: Women, Intersectionality, and Power in Group Psychotherapy Leadership. Visit the Arts of Groups Website to learn more: www.artofgroups.com. Direction and Original Idea: Carrie Haynes Production: Hayley Lewis
This week Carrie is joined by Sara Avant Stover. Sara Avant Stover (she/her) is a Certified Internal Family Systems (IFS) Practitioner and teacher and mentor of women's spirituality, empowerment, and entrepreneurship. She's also the author of The Way of the Happy Woman , The Book of SHE , and Handbook for the Heartbroken. After graduating Phi Beta Kappa and Summa cum Laude from Columbia University's all-women's Barnard College, Sara had a cancer scare, moved to Chiang Mai, Thailand, and, there, embarked on a decade-long healing and spiritual odyssey throughout Asia. Since then, she's gone on to uplift tens of thousands of women worldwide. Sara specializes in supporting women to discover and fulfill their true potential at the intersection where entrepreneurship meets personal and spiritual growth. She has been featured in Yoga Journal, The Huffington Post, Newsweek, Natural Health, and on ABC, NBC, and CBS. She lives in Boulder, CO, and is online at SaraAvantStover.com. Together, they'll discuss: The stigma associated with a "fall from grace" and our cultural aversion to perceived failure How hardship serves as an "initiation" to deepen our soul's work How she navigated her healing journey as a public figure The tools that she used to navigate the most challenging time in her life And much more… You can order Sara's new book here. You can connect with Sara at https://saraavantstover.com/ You can sign up for Sara's retreat at Drala Mountain Center here. Visit the Art of Groups Website to learn more: www.artofgroups.com. Direction and Original Idea: Carrie Haynes Production: Hayley Lewis