The Campfire

Sessions

Truth Telling For Women Who Are Done Pretending

The Campfire

Sessions

Truth Telling For Women Who Are Done Pretending

A five-week group experience for women who desire less surface-level connections

-- and crave deeper and more meaningful relationships.

A five-week group experience for women who desire less surface-level connections --and crave deeper and more meaningful relationships.

Let’s be honest...

Most women are walking around totally disconnected from the nourishment of real connection.

We’ve got group chats full of memes.

We make small talk in Pilates class.

We’ve mastered the

“How are you?”
”Great, how are you?”
surface level exchanges.

But deep down? We’re starving for something more.

For spaces where we don’t have to be polite.

For people we can laugh and cry with in the same 10 minutes and not feel weird about it.

For places we can unapologetically be ourselves.

The truth is, we’re living in a world that celebrates filters, bite-sized vulnerability, and emotionally “low maintenance” women.

We’re fluent in voice notes, emojis, and “haha no worries”...

but when it comes to saying what we really feel?

We freeze.

We soften it.

We shove it down and smile.

Because being real has felt unsafe. Or too much.

Let’s be honest...

Most women are walking around totally disconnected from the nourishment of real connection.

We’ve got group chats full of memes.

We make small talk in Pilates class.

We’ve mastered the

“How are you?”

”Great, how are you?”

surface level exchanges.

But deep down?

We’re starving for something more.

For spaces where we don’t have to be polite.

For people we can laugh and cry with in the same 10 minutes and not feel weird about it.

For places we can unapologetically be ourselves.

The truth is, we’re living in a world that celebrates filters, bite-sized vulnerability, and emotionally “low maintenance” women.

We’re fluent in voice notes, emojis, and “haha no worries”... but when it comes to saying what we really feel?

We freeze.

We soften it.

We shove it down and smile.

Because being real has felt unsafe. Or too much.

The Campfire Sessions is where we undo that.

Bit by bit.

Layer by layer.

With tenderness. With humor. With heart.

The Campfire Sessions is where

we undo that.

Bit by bit.

Layer by layer.

With tenderness.

With humor. With heart.

Let’s face it, women need a place to practice being real.

Because the ‘mom talk’ in the carpool line just doesn’t cut it.

The brunch catch-ups with your college friends aren’t enough.

And the workday banter around the water cooler won’t ever fill your cup.

We need places where we can stop ‘performing’ friendliness and actually show up as we are.

Because our guardedness and agreeableness doesn’t protect us -- it isolates us.

And putting a smile on your face and saying “I’m great”, after you just cried in the car -- doesn’t make you strong, it makes you alone.

The truth is...

You’re Not Meant To Do This Life Alone.

You're here to connect deeply.

To be witnessed.

To feel love.

To have deep, rich relationships.

To feel a sense of real belonging.

But you can’t do that if you’re not sharing yourself fully and showing up authentically.

Let’s face it,

women need a place

to practice being real.

Because the ‘mom talk’ in the carpool line just doesn’t cut it.

The brunch catch-ups with your college friends aren’t enough.

And the workday banter around the water cooler won’t ever fill your cup.

We need places where we can stop ‘performing’ friendliness and actually show up as we are.

Because our guardedness and agreeableness doesn’t protect us -- it isolates us.

And putting a smile on your face and saying “I’m great”, after you just cried in the car -- doesn’t make you strong,

it makes you alone.

The truth is...

You’re Not Meant To Do This Life Alone.

You're here to connect deeply.

To be witnessed.

To feel love.

To have deep, rich relationships.

To feel a sense of real belonging.

But you can’t do that if you’re not sharing yourself fully and showing up authentically.

That’s why I created the

Campfire Sessions.

Because women need a space to go where we stop talking at each other and practice feeling each other.

We need a space where we can show up with messy hair and yesterday’s mascara.

A space where we don’t feel pressure or judgment or the need to ‘perform’.

A space where we get to be witnessed, celebrated, and loved -- just for being ourselves.

That’s why I created the Campfire Sessions.

Because women need a space to go where we stop talking at each other and practice feeling each other.

We need a space where we can show up with messy hair and yesterday’s mascara.

A space where we don’t feel pressure or judgment or the need to ‘perform’.

A space where we get to be witnessed, celebrated, and loved -- just for being ourselves.

Real Connection Starts Where Pretending Ends

If you’re always performing --

smiling when you’re not okay,

keeping it light, saying what you think people want to hear...

Your relationships will start to feel hollow. Thin. Surface.

Like something’s missing, even when you’re surrounded by people.

Because no matter how many friends you have, if you’re not showing up as the real you,

you’ll still feel alone.

Because deep down, you don’t actually know -- do they love you?

Or just the polished version of you that you pretend to be?

Real Connection Starts Where Pretending Ends

If you’re always performing --

smiling when you’re not okay,

keeping it light, saying what you think people want to hear...

Your relationships will start to feel hollow. Thin. Surface.

Like something’s missing,

even when you’re surrounded by people.

Because no matter how many friends you have, if you’re not showing up as the real you, you’ll still feel alone.

Because deep down, you don’t actually know -- do they love you?

Or just the polished version of you that you pretend to be?

However, if what you’re craving is real, heartfelt connection --

The kind that feels nourishing, grounding and true --where you feel seen, heard, and genuinely appreciated for who you are…

Then that requires something brave:

Letting yourself actually be known.

Even when it feels messy.

Even when it feels vulnerable as hell.

Even when you’re afraid it’s too much.

You want real love? Real connection?

It requires saying the things you usually hold back.

Because that’s where true intimacy begins.

Not in the polished version of you -- but in the brave, messy, honest truth of who you are.

The Problem:

We’ve never been taught how to create deep connection.

How to be vulnerable without feeling shame.

How to open up and let people in.

We’re out here craving deep intimacy with zero practice or idea how.

The Good News:

You can learn how to do this.

It starts with small, brave moments.

It starts with practice.

It starts right here.

However, if what you’re craving is real, heartfelt connection --

The kind that feels nourishing, grounding and true --

where you feel seen, heard, and genuinely appreciated for who you are…

Then that requires something brave:

Letting yourself actually be known.

Even when it feels messy.

Even when it feels vulnerable.

Even when you’re afraid it’s too much.

You want real love?

Real connection?

It requires saying the things you usually hold back.

Because that’s where true intimacy begins.

Not in the polished version of you -- but in the brave, messy, honest truth of who you are.

The Problem:

We’ve never been taught how to create deep connection.

How to be vulnerable without feeling shame.

How to open up and let people in.

We’re out here craving deep intimacy with zero practice or idea how.

The Good News:

You can learn how to do this.

It starts with small, brave moments.

It starts with practice.

It starts right here.

A Place to Practice Being Real

(So You Can Be Real Everywhere)

The Campfire Sessions are truth-telling practice.

Weight lifting for authenticity.

A place to practice honesty and transparency with other women who also desire deeper connections.

Because you can’t get better at speaking your truth by reading books.

You can’t practice vulnerability by journaling in bed.

And you can’t become fully expressed by listening to Brene Brown alone in your car.

We heal and grow through lived experience -- through brave, honest moments with each other, not in isolation .

A Place to Practice Being Real

(So You Can Be Real Everywhere)

The Campfire Sessions are truth-telling practice.

Weight lifting for authenticity.

A place to practice honesty and transparency with other women who also desire deeper connections.

Because you can’t get better at speaking your truth by reading books.

You can’t practice vulnerability by journaling in bed.

And you can’t become fully expressed by listening to Brene Brown alone in your car.

We heal and grow through lived experience -- through brave, honest moments with each other, not in isolation .

You get better at truth-telling by doing it.

In safe spaces. With real women. In real time.

And when you practice speaking your truth here,

you start to build the strength to share it everywhere --

with family, with friends, with coworkers.

In hard conversations. In messy moments.

It starts to feel natural, like an extension of you.

And suddenly, without even realizing it, you begin to notice...

Your voice feels stronger

Your relationships go deeper.

And connection feels less like a performance, and more like a homecoming.

And you finally get...

You never had to shrink to be loved.

You never had to hustle to be worthy.

You never had to perform to belong.

You just had to show up…. as you.

You get better at truth-telling by doing it.

In safe spaces. With real women. In real time.

And when you practice speaking your truth here, you start to build the strength to share it everywhere --

With family, with friends, with coworkers.

In hard conversations.

In messy moments.

It starts to feel natural, like an extension of you.

And suddenly, without even realizing it, you begin to notice...

Your voice feels stronger.

Your relationships go deeper.

And connection feels less like a performance, and more like a homecoming.

And you finally get...

You never had to shrink to be loved.

You never had to hustle to be worthy.

You never had to perform to belong.

You just had to show up…. as you.

The Campfire Sessions are for you if:

You tend to feel alone in a sea of surface-level connection.

You crave more depth in your relationships.

You want to trust your voice more and actually practice using it.

You long for conversations that nourish you, not drain you.

You want to stop second guessing yourself and learn to be more self-expressed and authentic.

You want a refuge from your regular world, a safe place where you get to be fully you and not feel like you have to ‘perform’.

You love reflective questions that get you looking at your life in deeper ways.

You want to meet more like-minded women who also value authenticity, presence and connection.

The Campfire Sessions are for you if:

You tend to feel alone in a sea of surface-level connection.

You crave more depth in your relationships.

You want to trust your voice more and actually practice using it.

You long for conversations that nourish you, not drain you.

You want to stop second guessing yourself and learn to be more self-expressed and authentic.

You want a refuge from your regular world, a safe place where you get to be fully you and not feel like you have to ‘perform’.

You love reflective questions that get you looking at your life in deeper ways.

You want to meet more like-minded women who also value authenticity, presence and connection.

What Happens In the Campfire Sessions:

You’ll be guided through powerful prompts that spark real depth, heartfelt conversations, and deep intimacy. (No fluff. Just raw, real and honest shares about your feelings and personal experiences.)

You’ll engage in both group dynamics and one-on-one breakout sessions, discovering the unique magic that each form of connection holds.

You’ll be gently guided into practices that ease your nervous system, allowing you to drop into a grounded, embodied space for deeper sharing.

You’ll be encouraged to share what’s genuinely true for you in the moment, whether it’s saying “I’m terrified to talk right now”, “My heart feels like it’s beating out of my chest,” or “I’m afraid you’ll judge me if I say this.” This is the place to express those real feelings that we normally keep to ourselves.

And yes, it’ll all unfold around a virtual campfire…

Because nothing stirs presence and real sharing like the crackle of fire under the night sky.

What Happens In the Campfire Sessions:

You’ll be guided through powerful prompts that spark real depth, heartfelt conversations, and deep intimacy. (No fluff. Just raw, real and honest shares about your feelings and personal experiences.)

You’ll engage in both group dynamics and one-on-one breakout sessions, discovering the unique magic that each form of connection holds.

You’ll be gently guided into practices that ease your nervous system, allowing you to drop into a grounded, embodied space for deeper sharing.

You’ll be encouraged to share what’s genuinely true for you in the moment, whether it’s saying “I’m terrified to talk right now”, “My heart feels like it’s beating out of my chest,” or “I’m afraid you’ll judge me if I say this.” This is the place to express those real feelings that we normally keep to ourselves.

And yes, it’ll all unfold around a virtual campfire…

Because nothing stirs presence and real sharing like the crackle of fire under the night sky.

What Doesn’t Happen In The Campfire Sessions:

It’s not a place for long winded monologues and venting, where one person hijacks the floor (we share in a way that feels nourishing and supportive to the whole group).

It’s not a place where you’re forced to do anything. (You’re invited to talk and share but you can always pass.)

It’s not therapy, coaching, or networking in disguise. It’s not a place to be ‘fixed’ or to give advice.

It’s not a place to air your political grievances or debate things.

What Doesn’t Happen In The Campfire Sessions:

It’s not a place for long winded monologues and venting, where one person hijacks the floor (we share in a way that feels nourishing and supportive to the whole group).

It’s not a place where you’re forced to do anything. (You’re invited to talk and share but you can always pass.)

It’s not therapy, coaching, or networking in disguise. It’s not a place to be ‘fixed’ or to give advice.

It’s not a place to air your political grievances or debate things.

What Makes The Campfire Sessions So Powerful:

Build Your Vulnerability Muscle: Gain confidence in speaking your truth, overcoming nerves, and embracing authenticity. (So it becomes easier to do in all of your relationships!)

Experience Safe Connection With Women: Feel held, accepted, and part of a supportive space, which is profoundly healing.

Discover More About Yourself: The prompts lead to personal insights, bringing clarity and 'aha' moments about yourself, much like in therapy.

Witness Others: Deepen your sense of belonging by experiencing the profound power of supporting and being present for others.

What Makes The Campfire Sessions

So Powerful:

Build Your Vulnerability Muscle: Gain confidence in speaking your truth, overcoming nerves, and embracing authenticity. (So it becomes easier to do in all of your relationships!)

Experience Safe Connection With Women: Feel held, accepted, and part of a supportive space, which is profoundly healing.

Discover More About Yourself: The prompts lead to personal insights, bringing clarity and 'aha' moments about yourself, much like in therapy.

Witness Others: Deepen your sense of belonging by experiencing the profound power of supporting and being present for others.

Details:

14 women

Tuesday nights from 5 pm - 6:30 pm

Dates: June 10th, June 17th, June 24th, July 1st, and July 8th.

On Zoom, around a virtual campfire

Details:

14 women

Tuesday nights from
5:00 pm - 6:30 pm

Dates: June 10th, June 17th, June 24th, July 1st, and July 8th.

On Zoom, around a virtual campfire

If you’re interested in the Campfire Sessions but the day/time doesn’t work for you, click below to put yourself on the waitlist for other times.

If enough people are interested, I’ll open up another time slot.

If you’re interested in the Campfire Sessions but the day/time doesn’t work for you, click below to put yourself on the waitlist for other times.

If enough people are interested, I’ll open up another time slot.

Facilitated by Melanie Hersch:

As a licensed marriage and family therapist, and a dating and relationship coach, I’m passionate about human connection. My own journey into this work began at seventeen, when I first experienced the transformative power of group intimacy. Since then, I’ve been deeply drawn to spaces that foster truth, vulnerability, and genuine connection.

In my private work, I support clients in becoming more authentic, expressed and true to themselves. This work has been profoundly meaningful to me. Over time, it’s become unmistakably clear to me: women need more spaces to genuinely come together. That’s why I created the Campfire Sessions; so women can have a place where they can drop in, share their truths and stories, and build the kind of connections we all yearn for.

Facilitated by Melanie Hersch:

As a licensed marriage and family therapist, and a dating and relationship coach, I’m passionate about human connection. My own journey into this work began at seventeen, when I first experienced the transformative power of group intimacy. Since then, I’ve been deeply drawn to spaces that foster truth, vulnerability, and genuine connection.

In my private work, I support clients in becoming more authentic, expressed and true to themselves. This work has been profoundly meaningful to me. Over time, it’s become unmistakably clear to me: women need more spaces to genuinely come together. That’s why I created the Campfire Sessions; so women can have a place where they can drop in, share their truths and stories, and build the kind of connections we all yearn for.

FAQ's

**How do I know this is truly a safe space?**

As a psychotherapist who specializes in relationships and intimacy, I’ve put immense care into crafting the Campfire Sessions and creating a safe container for everyone. Having personally felt the sting of spaces that weren’t truly safe, I’ve intentionally created a space where you can feel genuinely held, respected, and supported.

Do I have to talk? What if I’m not in the mood to speak?

No, you can always pass when it’s your turn. Sometimes the most vulnerable thing for you and your biggest growth edge might be to say: “I just want to be silent right now” or “I don’t have anything to say”. But know it’s in speaking and allowing yourself to be seen in your imperfect, unfiltered messiness that will help you get the most out of the sessions.

What if I can’t make all the calls? Are there recordings?

Due to the intimate nature of our experience, there will be no recordings of our calls. If you miss a week, you'll just skip that week and join us for the next session.

I might need to be in the car when doing this. Can I have my camera off?

The Campfire Sessions are designed to create deep intimacy in the group. That means everyone needs to be in a place where they feel fully present and settled in, with cameras on. You can absolutely be in your car if it’s parked, quiet, and your camera is on.

I’m a very private person, and I feel hesitant coming into a group and sharing.

Perfect! You’re in the right place. :) This is exactly why we’re doing this. Because if we’re always keeping everything to ourselves, we can never truly have the kind of intimacy and depth we want in our connections. This is an opportunity for you to practice sharing in a safe space and build your ability to connect with others. This may feel like an uncomfortable stretch at first, but on the other side of it is greater freedom and deeper relationships.

How is this different from a women's circle?

• Women’s circles often take place once a month, and tend to be a different group of women each time. They also tend to involve open-ended long sharing -- that can go on and on and can feel a bit draining at times (at least it does for me!)

• The Campfire Sessions are 5 live sessions working with the same 14 women. So you’re not just a random face in a sea of women "pseudo-connecting”. You’ll get the opportunity to deeply drop in with the women in the group and get to know each other in a meaningful way. The whole focus is on relational deepening and practicing presence with each other, and this is the foundation for each meeting. Each session is designed to be a container for growth.

Q&A

**How do I know this is truly a safe space?**

As a psychotherapist who specializes in relationships and intimacy, I’ve put immense care into crafting the Campfire Sessions and creating a safe container for everyone. Having personally felt the sting of spaces that weren’t truly safe, I’ve intentionally created a space where you can feel genuinely held, respected, and supported.

Do I have to talk? What if I’m not in the mood to speak?

No, you can always pass when it’s your turn. Sometimes the most vulnerable thing for you and your biggest growth edge might be to say: “I just want to be silent right now” or “I don’t have anything to say”. But know it’s in speaking and allowing yourself to be seen in your imperfect, unfiltered messiness that will help you get the most out of the sessions.

What if I can’t make all the calls? Are there recordings?

Due to the intimate nature of our experience, there will be no recordings of our calls. If you miss a week, you'll just skip that week and join us for the next session.

I might need to be in the car when doing this. Can I have my camera off?

The Campfire Sessions are designed to create deep intimacy in the group. That means everyone needs to be in a place where they feel fully present and settled in, with cameras on. You can absolutely be in your car if it’s parked, quiet, and your camera is on.

I’m a very private person, and I feel hesitant coming into a group and sharing.

Perfect! You’re in the right place. :) This is exactly why we’re doing this. Because if we’re always keeping everything to ourselves, we can never truly have the kind of intimacy and depth we want in our connections. This is an opportunity for you to practice sharing in a safe space and build your ability to connect with others. This may feel like an uncomfortable stretch at first, but on the other side of it is greater freedom and deeper relationships.

How is this different from a women's circle?

• Women’s circles often take place once a month, and tend to be a different group of women each time. They also tend to involve open-ended long sharing -- that can go on and on and can feel a bit draining at times (at least it does for me!)

• The Campfire Sessions are 5 live sessions working with the same 14 women. So you’re not just a random face in a sea of women "pseudo-connecting”. You’ll get the opportunity to deeply drop in with the women in the group and get to know each other in a meaningful way. The whole focus is on relational deepening and practicing presence with each other, and this is the foundation for each meeting. Each session is designed to be a container for growth.

Ready to come home to yourself?

This is the work that changes everything.

How you connect.

How you love.

How you live.

If you're done pretending…
If you're ready for more…

Ready to come home to yourself?

This is the work that changes everything.

How you connect.
How you love.
How you live.

If you're done pretending…
If you're ready for more…

Melanie Hersch Coaching