Our process
Individual Healing Circles
Healing from child sexual abuse is possible.
Hidden Water Healing Circles are 12-week (approximately), community-based groups designed to support deeper insight, shared community, and collective healing in the aftermath of child sexual abuse. Each Circle brings together individuals with shared experiences—those who have been harmed, those who have caused harm and are ready to take responsibility, and loved ones of either or both.
Circles are small, confidential groups guided by trained facilitators and a structured curriculum. Weekly sessions create space for personal insight, boundaried interactions, and collective healing. They are not therapy, but a peer-based process that centers empathy, truth-telling, and transformation.
Circles meet virtually and are offered twice a year, beginning in February and September.
Green
I was harmed sexually as a child or young person (under the age of 25)
Purple
I harmed a young person sexually (regardless of my own age at the time)
Orange
My child was either harmed sexually, harmed a young person, or both
Blue
I feel impacted by the sexual harm to or caused by someone I love or both
DualColor
For those who identify with two colors.
We can heal from anything, if we know how and have the support to do it.
Healing Circles
How it works
At Hidden Water, our healing circles are participant-led, creating a shared space for connection and healing. All, including the Keepers, are there to do their own individual healing work. It is a circle of those who have a personal experience with the sexual harm of a child or young person, sitting together with others who have a similar personal experience. Although social workers, therapists, and other experts may be present, they participate as individuals—not in a professional capacity—contributing to a collective journey of healing.
We sit together, share and we listen. There is a sigh of relief when we realize there is a lot we do not need to explain, or have explained to us. The circle is made up of others who already understand on some level.
Circle participants both speak of their own unique experiences while also listening to the experiences of others in a similar position to the harm event. In Circle, we practice the principle of non-interference, meaning we never try to fix, resolve, or validate the others. We offer no comments, affirmation, advice, questions or feedback to anyone. We hold space with our non-verbal compassion, trusting that each of us will find the right path to healing for ourselves.
What We Don’t Provide
- Therapy: Our Circle Keepers are not therapists or clinically trained. We deeply value therapy and encourage participants to seek professional mental health support alongside their circle if that feels like a supportive service.
- Legal Advice: We are not legal professionals and cannot provide legal counsel or representation.
- Crisis Intervention: Our work is not designed for immediate crisis situations. Hidden Water processes are most effective once the immediate crisis has passed.
- Guaranteed Outcomes: We cannot promise a specific result or that someone you hope will participate will choose to do so.
While every circle community will be made up of the unique experiences of the individuals, all circle sessions will contain these intentional structural elements.
Two Trained Circle Keepers
Three
Container Building Sessions
Container Building Sessions
Opportunities for Individual Shares
One
Closing Session
with an
Impact Survey
Closing Session
with an
Impact Survey
A Commitment to Start and End
On-Time
On-Time
What to expect
For more information about Circles, please see our FAQs section.
Is Hidden Water Free?
We do not have a fee, however, we do have a Pay-It-Forward program. You will be given an opportunity to make a donation when you register. These donations play an important role in our ability to continue offering these circles.
Is there an age limit?
Yes. All participants must be at least 18 years old to participate in our healing circles.
How often do circles take place and what is the commitment?
Circles are held twice a year in the Winter (beginning in Feb) and Fall (beginning in Sept).
Circle sessions will start on time, and run for between 75 and 90 minutes, for approximately 12 weeks, depending on the final number of participants and holidays.
Do I need to have my camera on?
We strive to create a safe space where each participant feels held and witnessed by the others. On Zoom, that can only be done if everyone can see each other. We ask that all participants turn on their cameras, and mute themselves until it is their turn to talk.
Who will be in the circle?
Each circle will be made up of 8-10 adults, two of whom will be designated as the Circle Keepers - though they too will be participants who identify as that color. If it is an open circle, then it could be made up of anyone, any gender, from any state or country, who speaks English. Some circles are also held in a specified language or with folks with the specified identity. They will be clearly named and described on the registration page.
What if I can't attend one week?
We ask that participants attend at least 2 of the first 3 weeks. This is an important time to build safety among the group. After that, if you are unable to attend one week, please let the keepers know. We ask that you ensure a confidential space when attending. It can feel unsafe to others if there are people in your space.
What is the confidentiality policy?
Each participant and keeper signs a confidentiality waiver at the time of registration. We will hold all information confidential unless there is a disclosure of current or impending harm to a child.
What about the waiting list?
As the demand grows for our services, there are often long waiting lists. It is not uncommon, however, for individuals to drop out of circles right before it starts, or after the first week. If you are on the waiting list, you will possibly be offered a spot as the start date gets closer. If not, you will be invited to pre-register for the next season before the public registration opens. Participants can only join the waitlist during open registration periods. Once the circle season starts, the waitlist is closed until the next season.
Self Identifying
Everyone who attends the circle will have a personal experience with child sexual abuse and identify with that particular color, including the Circle Keepers. We ask everyone to self identify as 1 - having been negatively impacted by child sexual abuse and 2 - identify as one of the colors. We do not have any requirements beyond one’s own understanding of the sexual abuse that occurred in their life or the life of a loved one.
Participants may identify as more than one color. We ask that when attending a Healing Circle, the focus remain on the work of that particular color only. Lived experiences of other colors can be explored when participating in the space created for that particular experience.
Safe Private Groups
Hidden Water circles are thoughtfully designed to hold a limited number of participants, often leading to waiting lists. Those who remain on the waiting list by the season's end will receive a pre-registration opportunity for the following season.
Introducing The Hidden Water Podcast
Welcome to the Hidden Water Podcast Series. In Episode 1, Josh Wilcox interviews Founder and Executive Director Elizabeth Clemants about the origin story, the foundational philosophies and evolving structures of Hidden Water.
To listen to the rest of the Hidden Water Podcast Series, become a Hidden Water Member and gain access to the Member Resource Page with more in-depth content.