I'm an introvert, and feeling safe enough in a new group to speak is unusual, so I arrived at my first Despair Circle feeling lonely, scared and sad. But at that very first meeting I was able to tearfully take my turn because Betti has an open, calming, loving way about her that makes people feel safe and welcome. I always felt accepted at the Despair Circle just as I am. I’ve attended many Despair Circles with Betti, and found them to be a safe and comforting place to be as I worked with my feelings of grief. The Despair Circle has helped me to be more curious about the part of myself that needs to feel and hold the pain for this planet, and the Circle helped me to look at that pain and find ways to do my small part towards healing the planet for all living beings.

The Despair Circle is quite beautiful, giving people the opportunity to grieve together, to go deeply into difficult emotions, while also offering lightness, fun, and uplift. Betti is a skilled facilitator of groups, creating safety for people to go deep. She strikes a great balance in holding space and agenda firmly, without being controlling or rigid about structure or style, allowing what needs to happen in the moment. Betti is a person of impeccable integrity, genuine, completely trustable, warm, playful, and filled with love for and dedication to the Earth.

In 2022, I met Betti at a Wailing Circle she was leading. It was at a time that I was interested in allowing grief to be uncovered and experienced. Betti was a relief. She had no signs or symptoms of her ego being fed by our presence. She allowed our grief to process in whatever creative way we needed. She kept to the structure of opening the circle, respecting the elements, allowing space/time for each participant, and brought us to closure gently. What was brought forth that day had a ripple effect: I cannot recall a word that was said, yet the profound feeling of connecting in a space that did not require anything other than my presence (where I was enough as is) became a beacon of spiritual light.