Women of Sovereignty

A sisterhood that holds what women carry.

For women ready to set some of it down, receive real support, and reconnect with the parts of themselves that have had to stay in the background for too long.

Apply →
Women of Sovereignty
Why this community exists
Many women arrive with plenty of insight. What they have had less of is a space where nothing has to be managed.

One pattern, many forms.

Exhaustion, over-functioning, self-editing, difficulty receiving support, and loneliness can look like separate problems. For many women, they share a pattern: carrying too much alone for too long.

VigilanceReading the room before you know how you feel.
Over-functioningCarrying what no one asked you to carry.
Self-editingSaying the version that keeps the peace.
Not receivingSupport arrives, and you deflect it.

The retreat creates space to work with these patterns directly. The community is where that work continues, which is why the path does not end when the four days do.

You don't have to be falling apart to belong here.

Many women who come to WOS are capable, caring, and accustomed to carrying a great deal. They may also be tired of managing how they are seen, holding more than they want to hold, or editing what is true in order to keep everything moving.

“I'm the one everyone leans on. I don't know who I lean on.”
“I can feel myself editing before I even speak.”
“Someone offers help and I hear myself saying I'm fine.”
Who this is for

For women who feel something is missing, misaligned, or quietly heavier than it should be.

You may recognize yourself in one or more of these.

🎭The hidden costCarrying invisible emotional labor, often without anyone seeing the cost.
✂️The self-editConstantly adjusting, self-editing, or carrying more than feels sustainable.
🕯️Running on reservesTired, stretched thin, or running on reserves, and ready to receive real support.
🧭Ready for deeperHas already done meaningful inner work, or is simply ready to go deeper now.

Ready to stop managing everything for a while and enter the full arc: preparation, retreat, integration, and ongoing sisterhood.

After the retreat

The retreat is the door.
The community is the home.

The relationships do not end when the retreat does. Completing the arc makes you a member of UAF, and WOS members stay connected through the wider fellowship, with regular opportunities for conversation, growth, gathering, and support in ordinary life.

The retreat

💬Community Chat

Every day

Daily connection, local meetups, growth practices, and Reach Out when a member needs support.

Reach Out posts receive a response within 24 hours, usually sooner.
Available anytime

🌱Growth Groups

Twice a month

Twice-monthly facilitated groups that help keep the work active in everyday life.

Two hours · grouped by program

🏕️Member retreats

Seasonal gatherings

Gatherings that bring members back together for continued practice, connection, and shared experience.

Open once you've completed the arc

And beyond the formal structure, members organize their own hikes, dinners, local meetups, and time together. That part matters too: the community continues because people genuinely want to stay connected.

You leave the retreat and arrive home.Explore the Community →

Who holds the work

Facilitation team
Lauren Trecosta

Lauren Trecosta

Lead Facilitator

Lead Facilitator with UAF, Lauren Trecosta is a therapist specializing in complex trauma and PTSD, with experience supporting special operations veterans. She brings a grounded, relational approach to Women of Sovereignty.

Kerry Derrick

Kerry Derrick

Lead Facilitator

Lead Facilitator with UAF, Kerry Derrick is a psychotherapist, clinical herbalist, and nutritional psychotherapist. She brings a whole-person perspective to Women of Sovereignty, integrating mind, body, and spirit.

Dr. Katie Simons

Dr. Katie Simons

Lead Facilitator

Lead Facilitator with UAF, Dr. Katie Simons is a clinical hypnotherapist, breathwork practitioner, and coach with a Doctor of Pharmacy background. She brings a science-informed, embodied approach to Women of Sovereignty.

Michael Tierno

Michael Tierno

Co-DirectorBoard MemberGuide

Co-Director of UAF and co-founder of Men of Integrity, Michael brings more than a decade of expanded-state experience, a background in social psychology, and a deep focus on integration to his work guiding retreats and helping participants bring what they experience into everyday life.

Yoni Havana

Yoni Havana

Co-DirectorBoard MemberGuide

Co-Director of UAF and co-founder of Men of Integrity, Yoni guides retreats and works closely with members to bring spiritual experience into relationships, purpose, and everyday life.

Chris Tomasi

Chris Tomasi

Lead Facilitator

Lead Facilitator with UAF, Chris Tomasi brings training in interpersonal process work, Gestalt, Psychodrama, Hakomi, and integration work to his work with Men of Integrity and Women of Sovereignty. His approach centers on authenticity, compassion, honest relationship, and meaningful change.

Upcoming retreats

Participation begins with a short application and conversation. Here is what is currently scheduled.

RetreatStatus
🌹
Women of Sovereignty
Next dates TBA · Grass Valley, CA
Dates TBAView retreat
The July 10–14, 2026 retreat has passed. Next dates to be announced.
In their words
Women of Sovereignty, in their own words.
"I accomplished 20 years of therapy in a weekend. The facilitators met us where we were and demonstrated warmth and support."
🌹 Woman · Women of Sovereignty
"Throughout the retreat, I felt supported, held, and free like I never had before. The trust was gentle; the connection was authentic."
🌹 Woman · Women of Sovereignty
"After searching for the extraordinary, I fell in love with the mundane. Being human is more than enough."
🌹 Woman · Women of Sovereignty
Full accounts on the Stories page.
Read all the stories →

Take the first step.

Start with a short application. When you submit it, you can book a free 45-minute conversation with a facilitator to ask questions, talk through fit, and understand the retreat before deciding what comes next.

The contribution and reduced-rate options are discussed during that conversation.

Ten minutes · no cost
1Step one
A short application
Ten minutes, on your own time
2Step two
A 45-minute conversation
A calendar opens the moment you submit
3Step three
The seven-week arc
Preparation · four days on-site · integration

Complete the arc and become a member of UAF.