Sick of not having real conversations? This 2-day immersive retreat features a gathering of values-aligned practitioners from across disciplines, committed to care without punishment and elevating people’s agency!
Join us for sessions that weave together hands-on, trauma-informed Stronger U Non-Carceral Harm Reduction Seminar with practical psychotherapy training led by clinical supervisor Kaitlin Baldwin, RP, and culminates in a comprehensive skills practice.
Read below for full retreat details. The Care Without Cages Registration has closed. If you missed the registration window, then we’d love to have you join the online course version or our support groups!
Care Without Cages: Retreat Details
April 24 and 25, 2026 in Toronto, ON
Perfect for: Psychotherapists, social workers, care providers, and community practitioners who reject carceral and punitive systems, strengthen ethical, embodied practice, and be the change you want to see in the world.
You’ll gain:
- Expert non-carceral education from a combined lens of 35+ years of professional community support
- Collective in-person attunement, reflection, and community care
- Deep dives into real-life case studies and collaborative problem-solving
- Business and client-centered development tools, grounded in autonomy and humanity
- Access to an ongoing professional network of non-carceral practitioners for continued support
Logistical details:
- Date and time: April 24 and 25, 10a – 3p ET each day with a break for lunch
- Pricing: Sliding scale (in CAD) $
350, $500, $650. *$350 and $500 CAD tickets are sold out!- Includes PDF handouts and copies of the slides for retreat attendees
- Registration closes April 17.
- Accessibility: Retreat will be held in or near downtown Toronto, ON. Sessions will include slides and paper handouts; we will not be able to provide an ASL interpreter or ALDs. There will be breaks and a bathroom as well as light refreshments available. If you have specific accessibility concerns to discuss prior to registration, please email info@strongeruwellness.com.
Retreat Program
Friday, April 24: Liberatory approaches to care in a carceral society
- Non-Carceral Harm Reduction Seminar, presented by Stronger U
- Practical discussion on relationship building, documentation, safety planning, and crisis intervention within the context Canadian laws and Ontario regulatory bodies, presented by Kaitlin Baldwin, RP
- Additional, post-retreat support group: Surviving Chronic Suicidality from 4:30 – 5:45p ET
Saturday, April 25: Getting real about navigating nuanced crises while rejecting carcerality
- Managing our fears, pulls, and impulses while developing personalized approaches with clients. Presented by Stronger U and Kaitlin Baldwin, RP
- Comprehensive skills practice, both for licensed providers and those doing care work outside of the carceral systems. Presented by Stronger U and Kaitlin Baldwin, RP
- Additional, post-retreat support group: Carceral Detox from 4:30 – 5:45p ET
Speakers
Ryder Fox (they/them) founded Stronger U and THRIVE Lifeline. Their almost 30-year career has been dedicated to helping people reclaim their narratives and co-creating consensual pathways toward personalized safety. They and their team provide direct non-carceral care to survivors through a variety of free and paid services and community resources. Ryder is deeply passionate about educating non-carceral care workers and partnering with organizations who are dedicated to liberatory care practices with their constituents.
Kaitlin Baldwin (she/her) is a Registered Psychotherapist and Clinical Supervisor who leads a group therapy practice with anti-carceral values. Kaitlin has practiced psychotherapy since 2018 and primarily supports folks navigating complex trauma, domestic violence and abuse, and suicidality in both community mental health and private practice settings. Her approach to trauma-informed care centers autonomy, collaboration, and safety in all aspects. Kaitlin currently supports her community through individual and couples therapy, group therapy, and clinical supervision.
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Care Without Cages: Online Course Bundle
Available for pre-sale
Access the core components of the Care Without Cages retreat in an online course!
- Non-Carceral Harm Reduction Seminar video recordings and quizzes
- Practical discussion on relationship building, documentation, safety planning, and crisis intervention within the context Canadian laws and Ontario regulatory bodies, from video recordings
- Complex case study examples with included video explanations
Pricing: $300 CAD
In-Person Support Groups
Friday, April 24 (4:30 – 5:45p): Surviving Chronic Suicidality Support Group
- A non-carceral, peer-led space to talk about experiences of chronic suicidality and marginalization. We know what it is to fight to survive, to always want to die, and to figure out what life looks like inside of all of that.
Saturday, April 25 (4:30 – 5:45p): Carceral Detox Support Group
- Catch your breath and be within community that gets it, outside of the carceral systems that coerce and harm. For anyone, practitioners and/or psych survivors, who need a space to talk about carceral experiences and lean into more humanizing ways of care, together.
Cost: Donation-based, $10 CAD
Accessibility: Support groups will be held in or near downtown Toronto, ON in the same location as the retreat.
Disclaimer
While we believe that affirming coaching and consultations can be transformative, Stronger U does not purport to prevent, cure, or treat any mental health, medical disease, injury, or physical condition. While our coaches are highly skilled and qualified, they do not provide licensed therapy, treatment (clinical or otherwise) or diagnoses. We coach members and clients through holistic wellness practices, which are not a substitute for counseling, psychotherapy, medical or mental healthcare, substance abuse treatment, or any other professional advice offered by qualified medical or legal professionals.
If you are in need of immediate support, various non-carceral options may be found at this link.