The Dark Is Not the End, It’s the Invitation.

At How to Play in the Dark, transformation doesn’t just come from merely facing hardship—it comes from meeting it with curiosity, creativity, and a playful sense of adventure.

Here, you don’t just think about shifting beliefs—you experience it. Through movement, expression, and co-creation, you step directly into the shift, embodying change in real-time.

Each group is emergent and shaped by the unique energy and expression of those involved.

No two journeys are the same, making every encounter a powerful catalyst for transformation. By witnessing and engaging in each other’s explorations, we strengthen our collective power to heal, create, and support one another.

Together, we step into the unknown with curiosity and courage, uncovering freedom, magic, and unexpected possibilities along the way. If it seems mysterious—that’s because it is!

This isn’t just about healing. It’s about reimagining what it means to live fully, authentically, and vibrantly by reclaiming every part of yourself—even the ones hidden in the shadows.

And yes, it’s FUN!!!

WHO IS THIS FOR?

You’re an agent of change—or you want to be.

Maybe life cracked you open through illness, loss, heartbreak, or transition. Maybe you're still in the middle of the mess. Either way, something in you knows: transformation is possible. And you don’t have to do it alone.

You long for a community that gets it.

Not just surface-level support—but real, honest connection. People who can hold you through the unraveling and the becoming. Through the dark, the light, and everything in between.

You’ve felt the tension between ease and effort.

You believe life can be on purpose, that it doesn’t have to be so hard all the time. But old patterns still pull at you. And sometimes, you're not sure how to shift out of them—only that you’re ready to.

You believe life is supposed to be rich with pleasure, play, and possibility.

But sometimes, the seriousness creeps in. The weight gets heavy. The joy feels far away. You want to remember how to access it again—and feel safe doing it.

You want more ease, more freedom, more aliveness.

You want to trust that you don’t have to prove or push to receive what’s meant for you. Deep down, you know you're worthy of more.

You are creative. You are purposeful. You are becoming something more true.

You may not have it all figured out, but you’re willing to show up. Willing to be vulnerable. Willing to strip away what’s no longer real, and reconnect to what is.

Meet Danielle Rifkin LPC, ATR - Founder of How to Play in the Dark

I’ve always been drawn to the places most people avoid—grief, shadow, mystery, the sacred unknown. Not to dwell there, but to listen and learn. To let the dark speak. And what I’ve discovered over the past decade is this: the places we fear most often hold the keys to our liberation.

I’m a Somatic, Art & Play Therapist, a Grief Ritualist, and a space holder who believes that healing begins when we turn toward our struggle—and start to play with it. With a Master’s in Transpersonal Psychology and Art Therapy from Naropa University, I’ve spent the past decade creating spaces where people can reconnect with themselves and each other through creativity, emotion, and embodied presence. 

I’ve designed and facilitated hundreds of transformative experiences—from intimate grief rituals and expressive arts sessions to immersive group journeys, sacred circles, and 1:1 healing support.

Whether exploring shadow work through expression, gathering around shared loss, or sparking collective play, my work weaves depth, creativity, and safety into every container.

How to Play in the Dark was born out of a desire to create spaces where people don’t just talk about change—they feel it, embody it, and become it.

Where people can feel safe enough to surrender even if there is fear.

Where the deepest transformation doesn’t feel like a chore—but like coming home to something primal, tender, and true.

My values are rooted in radical presence, deep listening, co-creation, and embodied truth. I don’t believe in fixing. I believe in remembering—who you are, what you carry, and what becomes possible when you’re finally witnessed in your wholeness.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • At How to Play in the Dark, “play” is a transformative experience that invites you to meet the moment with curiosity, presence, and openness. It's not just about fun—it's about reconnecting with your aliveness, your imagination, and your deeper self.

    We define PLAY as:
    Presence. Love. Action. Yay.

    When you approach life with loving presence, take inspired action, and celebrate along the way, you’re stepping into the realm of play. It’s where creativity flows freely, old patterns can shift, and new possibilities unfold.

    Play can look like: Imagination. Innovation. Freedom. Movement. Confidence. Expression. Curiosity. Connection. Humor. Embodiment. Adventure. Trust. Spontaneity. Vulnerability. Laughter. Lightness. Surprise. Wonder. Choice. Surrender. Exploration. And so much more.

    Play gives you permission to be fully human. It invites you to stretch, explore, and shift—without judgment. When we engage with life playfully, we open the door to healing, transformation, and powerful change.

  • The “dark” isn’t something to fix or fear.

    At How to Play in the Dark, the dark is the sacred terrain of transformation. It’s where truth lives—raw, tender, sacred, and often uncomfortable.

    The dark holds: Grief. Shame. Fear. Rage. Anxiety. Overwhelm. Vulnerability. Depression. Emptiness. Loneliness. Blocks. Struggles. Endings. Contraction. Confusion. Wounds. Shadow. The unconscious. The unknown. The unseen. The sacred. The feminine. The mystery. The truth. And so much more.

    These are the parts we’re often taught to hide. But in the dark, there’s also depth, meaning, and immense creative potential. It’s the compost—the fertile ground where insight and healing emerge.

    When we learn to play in the dark, we stop resisting what is. We meet ourselves fully and open to what’s waiting beneath the surface.

  • Not usually—but we could!

    The word “dark” here is metaphorical. It refers to the internal experience of not knowing, feeling lost, or moving through challenge. Sometimes we’re “in the dark” about ourselves or what’s next. That’s what we explore.

    That said, if turning off the lights or blindfolding supports the work, we might go there. It’s always invitational, never performative.

  • Play isn’t just a break from the serious stuff—it’s a way through it.

    Research shows that play:

    • Boosts problem-solving ability by 43% (University of California, 2013)

    • Enhances adaptability up to 60% (National Institute for Play)

    • Lowers cortisol (stress hormone) and raises serotonin (mood regulator)

    Play helps us try on new roles and possibilities in a low-stakes, creative space. It activates the brain’s neuroplasticity—meaning it rewires us toward more openness, resilience, and innovation. When we give ourselves permission to play, we create space for creativity, problem-solving, and connection—essential ingredients for both personal and collective transformation.

    It also helps us regulate our nervous systems and show up more fully in life.

    So the next time you're stuck, overwhelmed, or spinning—play might just be the bridge back to yourself.

  • That’s a powerful and important question.

    Safety and agency are at the core of How to Play in the Dark. You're never expected to push past your limits. Your "no" is always honored—seen not as a disruption, but as a gift. There is no such thing as "ruining the mood" when you're being true to yourself. 

    We begin each group with co-created “Rules of the Playground”—shared agreements rooted in consent, nervous system awareness, and collective care. You'll learn how to discern between a growth edge and a trauma response, and how to trust your body’s signals.

    We use simple check-ins throughout each experience to help everyone stay present and attuned. If something feels off, you’ll have tools and support to name it.

    You will never be thrown into the deep end. Every invitation is just that—an invitation. You get to choose your pace. And you're guided by facilitators who can hold complexity, sensitivity, and emotion with presence and care.

    This space is designed to welcome your full self—and that includes your boundaries.

  • Each group is a living, breathing, creative collaboration—shaped in the moment by the people in the space. Nothing is pre-scripted. It is emergent. We follow what’s alive and let the group’s energy, imagination, and expressiveness lead.

    While the possibilities are endless, some modalities that have emerged in previous groups include:

    • Ritual theater and psychodrama

    • Embodied movement, intentional touch, and somatic practices

    • Parts work (like IFS) and gestalt dialogue

    • Grief rituals, breathwork, emotional release

    • Storytelling, improvisation, dance, visual art, song

    • Rage practices, sacred silliness, and quiet witnessing

    Some moments are big, bold, and liberating. Others are subtle, slow, tender, and deeply grounding. There’s no right way to play here. What emerges is always co-created by the natural unfolding of wants to be seen, felt, and expressed. 

  • Nope. You don’t need to know anything before you arrive.

    Many people feel awkward, self-conscious, or unsure about play at first. That’s part of the experience. We explore how your nervous system responds to play, how conditioning or trauma may have shaped your relationship with it, and what play can mean for you now.

    There’s no pressure to perform. There’s no need to "fake it" if you’re not feeling it. You’re welcome just as you are.

  • Not at all.

    You don’t need to have clarity or words for your experience before you arrive. We’ll guide you gently into the space and support you in uncovering what’s true for you in the moment.

    You’re never required to share or be at the center of anything. You might choose to witness, support, or simply be present—and that is just as powerful.

    Everything is invitational. Your pace. Your process. Your choice.

  • This space is for people who are ready to:

    • Bring their curiosity

    • Explore their edges

    • Reclaim creativity

    • Grow in community

    Every group looks different—because every person brings something unique. We adapt to the people in the room. You don’t need to show up any particular way—just bring your whole self.

    This work is especially powerful for:

    • People building intimacy, trust, and honest communication in community

    • Groups exploring themes like anger, power, shame, body image, or self-compassion

    • Existing communities wanting to deepen connection or bring fresh creativity to their space

    • Businesses, retreats, or teams craving collaboration, authenticity, and playful innovation

    • Couples seeking to navigate polarity dynamics or bring more ease, creativity, and support to their relationship

    If you're feeling the spark, let’s co-create something that fits your world.

I don’t believe in fixing. I believe in remembering—who you are, what you carry, and what becomes possible when you’re finally witnessed in your wholeness.