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Meet Dr. Sharon May: The Trusted Guide Behind Stage4Hope Retreats

When you’re facing a Stage 4 cancer diagnosis, who leads you matters.

Not just their kindness — but their depth, training, experience, and ability to hold space when emotions are raw and life feels uncertain. At Stage4Hope, our retreats are led by Dr. Sharon May, a therapist, educator, and nationally respected voice in emotional healing and relational care.

Dr. May doesn’t simply facilitate conversations. She brings decades of clinical expertise and human wisdom into a space designed for people navigating one of the hardest moments of their lives.

 

A Foundation of Clinical Excellence

Dr. May holds a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy and a Master’s degree in Theology from Fuller Graduate School of Theology, grounding her work in both evidence-based psychology and deep understanding of meaning, identity, and emotional resilience.

She is a licensed therapist and a Certified Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) Therapist and Supervisor, trained in one of the most research-validated therapeutic models for emotional regulation, attachment, and secure connection. EFT is widely recognized for helping people manage fear, grief, and relational disruption — all central experiences for those facing advanced cancer.

Her academic research and doctoral work focused on attachment theory and emotional bonding, exploring how people find safety, steadiness, and connection during times of crisis. This research-informed foundation shapes every retreat she leads.

 

Leadership, Teaching, and National Influence

Dr. May is the Founder and President of Safe Haven Relationship Center, where she has spent years developing therapeutic curriculum, training clinicians, and guiding individuals and families through trauma, loss, and major life transitions.

She also serves on the Executive Board of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), reflecting her standing as a trusted leader within the counseling profession.

In addition to her clinical practice, Dr. May is an adjunct professor who has taught counseling and therapy courses, helping shape the next generation of clinicians. She is also a frequent national speaker, presenting workshops and trainings across the U.S. and internationally.

Many people may recognize her from radio and television appearances, including Focus on the Family, Family Talk, Life Today, and her own program Arguing with Dr. Sharon. She is also the author of two books on emotional connection and communication, extending her reach well beyond the therapy room.

 

Why This Matters for Stage4Hope Retreats

Credentials matter — but how they translate into care matters more.

Dr. May brings all of this experience into Stage4Hope retreats with a grounded, human approach. She creates spaces that feel safe, steady, and deeply respectful. Participants are never pressured to share. Silence is welcome. Listening is participation.

In retreats like Still Me, Dr. May guides participants through:

• Grounding practices that calm racing thoughts and emotional overwhelm
• Reflection and journaling that help process shock and fear
• Gentle guidance on communicating with loved ones and setting boundaries
• Group connection rooted in dignity, confidentiality, and understanding
• Identity-centered reflection that honors the person beyond the diagnosis

This is not surface-level support. It is carefully facilitated emotional care led by someone who understands both the science of healing and the humanity of suffering.

 

A Guide You Can Trust

People come to Stage4Hope retreats for support — and they stay because they feel seen.

Dr. Sharon May brings credibility, calm, and compassion into every retreat she leads. Her presence reassures participants that they are in capable hands — guided by someone who understands trauma, connection, fear, hope, and the complexity of being human in the face of cancer.

That trust is everything.

If you are seeking a retreat led by a therapist with true depth, experience, and heart, you will find it here.