A Transformative 1 day PROCESS
with Nasreen El-Mariesh
HEALING THE MOTHER WOUND WORKSHOP
A safely held, trauma-informed workshop exploring the impact of the mother wound and the path toward healing, self-compassion and wholeness. Limited to 12 participants.
Saturday 18 April 2026,
Franschhoek, South Africa
"When a mother doesn't feel good about herself, she passes that legacy of pain on to her daughter in ways both big and small. We inherit our mothers' relationship with themselves."
— Dr. Bethany Webster
UNDERSTANDING THE MOTHER WOUND
The mother wound influences every dimension of our human development – from our sense of self-worth and belonging, to our relationships, self-sabotaging behaviours, and what we believe is possible for us in life.
No matter how wonderful (or not) our mother was, she would have wounded us as children because she was human, flawed, and imperfect. Her inability to love us in exactly the way we needed – either by giving us too little or too much – leaves us with an inability to love ourselves in the way we need.
The signs often show up as feelings of worthlessness, a harsh inner critic, body issues, lacking trust in ourselves and others, persistent feelings of not being good enough, and a sense of separation from the world around us.
THE WORKSHOP
Healing the mother wound requires great courage and deep love. It means allowing yourself to reclaim lost feelings, to grieve what you didn't receive, and ultimately to work towards forgiveness so you can move forward in peace.
This one-day workshop, based on Donna Lancaster's acclaimed process, offers a safely held space to begin this profound healing journey. Through deep enquiry, emotional processing, witnessing, and powerful rituals, you'll explore:
The depth and impact of the mother wound on your life
Opportunities to give voice to your wounded inner child and 'say the unsayable'
How to process emotions using cathartic approaches
Being witnessed in your story – seen, heard and validated
Learning to mother yourself in healthy ways
Moving toward integration and wholeness
When surviving is no longer enough and you're ready to start thriving, this workshop may be for you.
ABOUT THE PROCESS
This workshop is based on the healing framework developed by Donna Lancaster, author of The Bridge (Penguin Life). Her compassionate approach acknowledges that all mothers inevitably wound their children simply by being human, and offers a structured pathway to acknowledge that pain, grieve what was lost, and move toward freedom and self-compassion.
This workshop requires a brief application to ensure suitability. Please complete the form below.
WHO THIS IS FOR
This workshop welcomes people of all ages and genders who feel affected by their relationship with their mother and wish to begin the process of repair.
The workshop is trauma-informed and safely held, however it is not suitable for anyone currently experiencing severe mental health issues (including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, borderline personality disorder, dissociative disorders), unresolved complex PTSD, active addiction (or less than 6 months in recovery), or recent suicidal thoughts.
If you're unsure whether this is right for you, please get in touch.
WORKSHOP DETAILS
Date: Saturday 18th April
Time: 9am - 5pm
Location: BEHIVE Winelands, Boschendal Wine Farm
Includes: Vegetarian lunch from the land and refreshments
Group Size: Limited to 12 participants
Exchange: South African Rand 1,500
Two subsidised places available at R500
This workshop requires a brief application to ensure suitability. Please complete the Application Form first and then we will be in touch to confirm.
ABOUT YOUR FACILITATOR
Nasreen El-Mariesh is a certified psychedelic integration coach and transformational coach specialising in female psychology, conditioning and empowerment. Her work supports women in developing deeper, more authentic relationships with themselves, their loved ones, and their sense of purpose.
Nasreen trained at the British School of Coaching, Jayne Jewell's Transformational Coaching Academy, and was certified by Third Wavand later became core faculty at the Psychedelic Coaching Institute (USA).
She is certified to facilitate Donna Lancaster's Healing the Mother Wound workshop and was formerly Event Director of Wellbeing By the Lakes festival (2019-2023).
BENEFITS TO HEALING THE MOTHER WOUND
Healing the mother wound is a deeply personal journey that unfolds differently for everyone. While this workshop offers profound tools and a safely held space for exploration, we cannot guarantee specific outcomes or results. Some participants experience immediate shifts, while for others this marks the beginning of a longer healing process.
Emotional Release
Give voice to your wounded inner child in a safe, witnessed space
Experience the relief of being seen, heard and validated in your story
Self-Understanding
Understand how the mother wound has shaped your relationships and self-worth
Recognize patterns of self-sabotage and where they originated
Practical Tools
Learn to self-soothe and develop your inner mother
Take home rituals and practices for ongoing healing
Compassion & Perspective
Develop empathy for your mother's own wounding
Move from blame toward understanding without bypassing your pain
Breaking the Cycle
Stop unconsciously passing pain to the next generation
Create a new legacy of emotional wholeness
Movement Toward Freedom
Lighten the emotional load you've been carrying
Open the door to forgiveness—not for her sake, but for your own peace
