Meet your facilitators
Nicole Gordon and Shannon Liebel are two compassionate grief retreat facilitators who have walked their own paths through profound loss and transformation—and now come together to guide others toward healing with empathy, wisdom, and heart.
Together, Nicole and Shannon weave their personal and professional experiences into healing retreats rooted in somatic awareness, nature, community, and shared humanity. Their approach is gentle yet powerful—honoring each person's unique grief while offering practices that support emotional release, nervous system regulation, and a return to joy. With open hearts and grounded presence, they walk beside others on the path toward healing.
NICOLE GORDON
DDS
Nicole Gordon is a solo mom of three, dentist and small business owner. Her love of the natural world started at a young age. As a child growing up in Lake Tahoe she could sense the magic of the outdoors, the inherent beauty of the natural world that feeds the human spirit.
Nicole completed her undergraduate degree at the University of San Francisco and her Doctor of Dental Surgery at New York University in Manhattan. She loved the busy and exciting energy of city life, but she knew that ultimately, she wanted to live in the mountains again. She was able to build a dental practice in Lake Tahoe and start a family with her partner and best friend. Nicole used fitness and yoga to balance stress and nourish her body and mind all through her adult life. However, her relationship with yoga changed in 2020 when she lost her husband in a tragic accident. While trying to get her bearings in a storm of grief and solo parenting, she found somatic healing. She was fortunate to have somatic healers in her community to guide her through a painful and challenging time in her life. She became a student of yin yoga, guided meditation, breathwork and EFT tapping, all of which played a role in her healing process.
Nicole believes that grief is not a problem to be solved but an experience to be lived; somatic healing techniques can allow us to live the experience of grief with less suffering and more joy. Her hope is that she can guide other people living with grief in their healing journey.
Shannon Liebel
MA, Professional Counselor Associate, E-RYT 500
Shannon earned her MA in Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado and has since dedicated her career to improving the lives of others through a combination of movement, mindfulness, and holistic healing practices.
With a strong belief in the interconnectedness of mind, body, and soul, Shannon integrates mindfulness and embodiment techniques into her therapeutic work. She incorporates practices such as meditation, breathwork, visualization, movement, and body scans to help clients achieve greater self-awareness and healing. Passionate about guiding individuals through the challenges of anxiety, depression, and unresolved trauma, Shannon focuses on present-moment awareness as a foundation for processing life’s difficulties and fostering emotional resilience.
Shannon’s approach is client-centered, meeting individuals where they are in the moment and tailoring sessions to address their unique needs. She creates a safe, collaborative space where clients can explore their emotions, set meaningful goals, and uncover their inner potential. Her therapeutic philosophy is rooted in compassion, and she believes every person has the capacity for healing and growth. Shannon is deeply committed to supporting her clients in finding clarity, peace, and fulfillment as they navigate life’s journey.
A strong advocate for community and connection, Shannon also offers group sessions designed to foster authenticity, mutual support, and shared healing. She believes that we are all on this journey together, and these groups provide a safe space for individuals to show up fully as themselves. Shannon embraces the oneness of all beings and welcomes individuals from all walks of life to join her in both individual and group therapy settings.