Dark Water Institute
A healing institute grounded in purpose and adapting to the changing landscape
Developing a new relationship to darkness
Our work
Our work is rooted in the need for sustainable practices—whether that’s through one-on-one consultations, group support, or research initiatives that inform systemic change.
At Dark Water Institute, our work is designed in the fluidity and depth of dark water—where darkness is not defined by good or bad, but by the richness of its depths.
Deep transformation and healing come from acknowledging the full complexity of human experience. It’s about learning to move with the weight, not against it.
Through our work together, we’ll explore the intricate layers of your experience, focusing on what lies beneath the surface. The questions you’ve been holding, the doubts and uncertainties, the fear and frustration—all of these are part of our world, and together, we’ll create the clarity you need to move forward with purpose and intention.
Is this for you?
You might be wondering:
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If you're putting in the effort but still feel adrift, disconnected, or exhausted, you're not alone. This isn't about pushing harder—it's about understanding the layers that make up your burnout, trauma, or uncertainty. At Dark Water Institute, we help you explore these layers, recognizing that the answers come not from pushing through, but from facing what’s beneath the surface.
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Life feels overwhelming, and you’re not sure how to regain balance. We know that true healing requires space to slow down and reorient. In our community and individual sessions, we help you create that space—without adding more pressure. It’s not about getting to the “end” faster; it’s about learning to exist fully in each moment.
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Whether you’re dealing with trauma, burnout, or the weight of difficult work, you might wonder if true healing is even possible. We don’t shy away from the darker aspects of life. Our approach isn’t about avoiding tough emotions or situations, but facing them directly—offering a supportive, non-judgmental space where you can explore them safely. Don’t worry about getting your darkness on us, this is our work. We live here.
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Maybe you’ve tried different forms of therapy or support, but none of them seem to address the depth of what you're feeling. At Dark Water Institute, we understand that healing is complex. We provide a space that honors this complexity, combining community support, individual care, and cutting-edge research to guide you through life’s most challenging experiences.
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Life is moving at a pace that’s hard to keep up with, and your own needs are getting pushed aside. But your well-being is non-negotiable. Through both individual sessions and community support, we help you create real, sustainable space for yourself—without the constant pressure to be “doing” all the time.
we dive into the complexities of human experience, offering space for healing, connection, and research.
all rooted in the fluidity and depth of dark water—where darkness is not defined by good or bad, but by the richness of its depth
WORK WITH US
Community
In our meet-ups and workshops the focus is on building connection. We believe true fulfilment comes from the relationships we nurture and the support we give and receive from each other.
Individual
Let us help you untangle the weight of burnout, where the focus is on listening, where darkness holds no judgment, only depth and insight
Research
Our research seeks to uncover the hidden layers of complex trauma, human trafficking, and war crimes, shedding light on the harsh realities to foster awareness, advocacy, and understanding.
How Can we Help:
Community Support
Building Connections, Inside and Outside of 1:1 Work
Our community-based work offers an essential layer of support that complements our individual sessions. Group support is powerful because it helps you build relationships with others who are walking through similar struggles. It's about creating a space where you’re not alone in your experience. Through shared connection, you can learn to lean on others, rebuild trust, and regain a sense of grounding that supports your individual healing.
Why it matters:
The relationships we build in the community don’t replace individual work, but they help ground the deep, one-on-one work you're doing. It's a reminder that you're part of something larger—connected to others who understand and support your journey.
Learn More (link to community details)
Individual Sessions
Going Deeper with Focused, One-on-One Support
Sometimes, healing requires focused attention. In our 1:1 sessions, we create a non-judgmental space to explore the nuances of your experience, whether that’s navigating burnout, emotional exhaustion, or the impact of traumatic events. This deep work allows us to dig into what’s really beneath the surface—helping you untangle the complex layers of your struggles so you can begin to heal.
Why it matters: Deep, individual work is essential for addressing core issues like burnout, trauma, and unresolved pain. While group support can help you build connection, 1:1 sessions are where we focus on your unique needs, uncovering the sources of your overwhelm and developing personalized strategies for healing.
Learn More (link to individual sessions)
Research
Contributing to the Larger Conversations Around Trauma and Burnout
The research we engage with is integral to the other work we do—informing both the approaches to healing and advocacy efforts. By deeply engaging in understanding the complexities of trauma, burnout, human trafficking, and war crimes we advance our knowledge and integrate the lessons learned in those deepest of dark waters to support everyone
Why it matters: We don’t just speak about burnout and trauma from theory—we speak from experience, both personally and professionally. The research we conduct is the dark work that gives us access to new modalities to guide others through their own complex, intense experiences. It shapes our community and individual support, providing the foundation for everything we do.
Learn More
Ready to Begin?
If you’re ready to explore whether Dark Water Institute is the right fit for you, we invite you to schedule a free consultation.
Let’s discuss your needs and how we can best support you in your process.
Let’s Work Together
I’m Rebecca Jarvis, a Navigational Healer
Let’s build a new relationship with the darkness
I offer you an opportunity to travel between the connection between fear and purpose to unravel the fears that bind you and help you navigate uncertainty with clarity and courage.
My work is grounded in the belief that healing and transformation occur not by force but by deep understanding and compassionate presence. I support individuals and organizations in navigating the complexities of trauma, burnout, and crisis work, helping them build a life worth living.
I believe that clarity comes from taking the time to reflect, to sit with discomfort, and to let silence reveal what’s truly at stake.
I specialize in helping you understand the inner world you’ve built—the mental and emotional landscape that shapes how you navigate the world. Our inner world isn’t something abstract; it’s an environment we can conceptualize and travel through. Within this space, we see how darkness, fear, and pain have shaped our experiences. It’s like understanding the difference between an ocean, a lake, and a dark stream: each holds its own unique energies, each has its own inhabitants, and each requires a different way of being in relationship with it.
I guide you in exploring your inner world as a unique environment—a place shaped by the experiences, fears, and needs that have built it over time. Think of it like navigating through an ocean, a lake, or a dark stream. Each body of water has its own flow, its own survival mechanisms, and its own way of holding life. What works in one space doesn’t work in another, and we’ll learn together what your inner world requires to be sustainable, comfortable, and freeing. This isn’t about fixing; it’s about creating the conditions that allow your true self to thrive—just as every ecosystem has its own needs and rhythms, so does yours.
You may be feeling like you’re struggling to move:
When your inner world feels overwhelming, chaotic, or stuck
When fear and uncertainty are clouding your ability to see a way through
When you’ve built walls around certain parts of yourself and aren’t sure who to let in
When you feel disconnected from your own purpose, unsure of what truly matters
The foundation of my work is connection and trust.
I help you ask: Who do we trust to enter our inner world? What does it mean to invite someone into that landscape, knowing that it might be untidy or imperfect?
Our inner world is like our home—imagine inviting someone over when you haven’t had time to tidy up. There’s a rush of anxiety as you quickly shove things out of sight or try to put on a face that says, “I’ve got it all together,” even when you don’t. The real work comes when we stop worrying about hiding the mess and instead focus on creating a space where you don’t feel the need to pretend. It’s about inviting someone (including yourself) into a place that’s imperfect, but authentic—where you don’t need to be ashamed of the things that feel out of place, and where change happens naturally.
Once trust is established, the work shifts to how things are designed and maintained in your inner world. Healing is not a goal; it’s a cycle—a natural rhythm, much like the process of cleaning. Dirty dishes aren’t a failure, they’re part of the cycle of life. Similarly, pain and discomfort aren’t failures—they’re signals, part of the ongoing work of understanding and transformation.
As we build trust together, those feelings of shame and embarrassment start to fade. I don’t see your inner world as something to be “fixed” or perfected. In fact, this is where the work becomes playful and creative. It’s like a jam session where ideas, emotions, and energies flow without the weight of judgment. There’s no guru here—just two people exploring. We’re not behind or ahead of anyone; this is the work of a lifetime.
Once we reach this point, you’ll find that you have a deeper understanding of your inner landscape. At that moment, you may be ready to step into the next phase—whether that’s taking a break, exploring new practices, or working with another practitioner to continue your exploration. Many of my clients return from time to time to update me on their lives because they value the connection we’ve built and want to be seen in that ongoing process.
