April 24 -26, 2026  |  2 NIGHTS

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The Reset Retreat for Caregivers

Integrative Caregiving

Caregiver Weekend Retreat

April 24–26, 2026 | Birdsong Backcountry Retreat, Warner Springs, California

A first-of-its-kind weekend for text-based communication caregivers to rest, recalibrate, and reconnect — with yourself and each other.

Caregiving can be isolating, relentless, and emotionally exhausting. Many parents carry the weight quietly, staying strong for everyone else while putting themselves last.

As an introduction to our camp season, and as a way for us to honor the centrality of your caregiver role, this weekend is an invitation to step out of survival mode and “doing,” and into something slower, softer, and more supportive.

Located in the quiet beauty of a privately owned nature reserve on 85 acres in Warner Springs, CA, the remote mountain area of San Diego County, this gathering brings together a small circle of caregivers for three days of nervous-system care, meaningful connection, and practical support.

This is not a conference.
Not a performance.
Not another thing to “do right.”

It’s a space to exhale and remember you are not alone.

Register now

Weekend Overview

This retreat is designed to meet caregivers where they are — mentally, emotionally, and physically.

Together we will focus on:

  • Co-regulation and nervous-system support

  • Emotional safety and connection

  • Gentle restoration of body and mind

  • Practical guidance for supporting our loved-ones

  • Being seen, heard, and understood by others who live this life

This is also a space for collaboration, learning from professionals, from each other, and from our children in new ways.

What You’ll Experience:

  • Learn how to regulate your own system so you can better support your loved one. You’ll experience guided practices and knowledge to help calm overwhelm, lower stress, and restore a sense of internal safety.

  • Practical instruction from experienced OTs on how to support motor planning, regulation, and communication in spellers, with clarity and compassion.

  • Forest bathing + simple, accessible practices to help quiet the mind and reconnect with inner steadiness — even in the midst of chaos.

  • Breathwork & guided relaxation sessions designed to deeply soothe the nervous system and create a sense of spaciousness and calm.

  • Time by the fire to speak honestly, be heard without judgment, and remember that you are not alone.

This Retreat Is For You If:

  • You are a long-term caregiver carrying emotional and physical exhaustion

  • You are collaborating with a non-speaking/unreliably speaking child with text-based communication

  • You want practical guidance alongside emotional support

  • You are longing for community that understands this life

  • You want to feel like yourself again — even a little

  • You’re ready to come out of survival mode, gently and slowly

Meet Your Facilitators

  • Erin Clarelli is an occupational therapist who helps caregivers, educators, and support professionals shift the way they understand nonspeaking and unreliably speaking autistic individuals—starting with one essential belief: presume competence. Her work is built on recognizing the intelligence, insight, and agency of the individuals she supports—and helping others do the same. Whether she’s keynoting a conference or speaking to a group of moms via Zoom, Erin equips her audience with a deeper understanding of apraxic autism—helping them rethink behavior through a motor-based lens and walk away with fresh insight and clear strategies for supporting nonspeaking autistic individuals with respect and confidence.

  • Kristin McConnell is a licensed Doctor of Occupational Therapy, certified yoga teacher, and trauma-informed facilitator. Her mission is to help people feel safe and connected to their bodies so they can learn, grow, and thrive. She is the owner of Flow Forward Health, an occupational therapy and coaching practice that addresses the physical, mental, and emotional impacts of trauma and chronic nervous system dysregulation. She has experience and a deep passion for working with non-speakers and their caregivers, blending intentional motor, sensory regulation, and mindfulness to facilitate change. She believes that when caregivers are supported in prioritizing their own regulation, this ripples out to positively impact their children, families, and communities.

  • Tanya Yarkoni is a caregiver, coach, and dedicated collaborator to her emerging speller, 18-year-old non-speaking autistic daughter, Leia. Her work with caregivers, offered through her coaching practice, Integrative Caregiving, and vibrant online communities, is rooted in science-backed research, lived experience, and decades of meditation practice. Tanya is also the author of an upcoming book on caregiver survival intelligence, which explores the neurobiology and emotional patterns that shape long-term caregiving. Drawing from her own journey, she integrates neuroscience, psychology, mindfulness, and practical tools to help caregivers shift their internal state, interrupt survival-driven patterns, and reclaim emotional steadiness. She guides caregivers to use the challenges of this role as a catalyst for deep personal growth and meaningful transformation.

  • Katie Kittle is a nervous system regulation specialist and the founder of Support the Supporters: nervous system care for families, caregivers & practitioners in the neurodivergent community. With training in kinesiology, somatic breathwork, massage therapy, and trauma-informed facilitation, Katie offers a grounded, holistic, and therapeutic approach.  Her work blends breathwork, movement, and conscious touch to support reconnection with the body’s natural capacity for regulation. She is on staff at Autistically Inclined speller family camps and works closely with families navigating long-term caregiving. Katie’s intention is to create a steady, compassionate space where caregivers can feel less alone and more supported, resourced, + connected to their bodies.

The Setting

Birdsong Backcountry Retreat offers nature, quiet, and beauty — the kind that makes breathing easier.

This property also has a certified Forest Bathing trail that invites you into deep connection with the magic and nurturing energy of Mother Earth. This environment allows your body to downshift naturally. The work happens not just in sessions, but in stillness, walks, and shared silence.

Details

Location: Birdsong Backcountry Retreat, Warner Springs, California

Dates: Friday April 24 12:00pm – Sunday April 26 12:00pm

Participants: Limited group for intimacy and safety

This weekend is about receiving. We can’t wait to be together.

For more details contact: tanya@integrativecaregiving.co

Registration details

Reset retreat price for 2 night/3 days immersion (limited space available)

Full price $1390 / Early bird price 15% off (please use this code at checkout “EARLY15”) until February 6th at 12 pm PST (Klarna allows participants to split payments into 4 interest-free installments)

*If you would like to save 3% (processing fee) by making a one-time payment via Zelle, please make payment to Kristin, account drkristinmcconnell@gmail.com

This includes all meals, activities, and access to the private 85 acre reserve we will be staying on.

Retreat registration deadline - March 20th

Following registration, please choose and book your accommodation below.

Register now

Accommodation options

The prices below are for two nights.

Bluebird Tiny House (sleeps 2) $405 booked

One full bath, full kitchen, jacuzzi, BBQ grill, sofa bed, and queen bed.

Spartan RV (sleeps 1) $350 booked

Futon bed has a full kitchen and bath

Zen Cabins (2 remaining) $310

There is small loft with a twin and a queen sleeper couch. These off grid 10x12 cabins have power, water and share a bathhouse.

Reserve Zen Cabin

Glamping (sleeps 1-2, *4 bell tents total) $186

Reserve glamping

Camping $42

Reserve camping

FAQ

  • This retreat is designed for caregivers who feel emotionally and physically exhausted, who are collaborating with non-speaking or unreliably speaking children, want both emotional support and practical guidance, and long for a community that truly understands this life.xt goes here

  • Yes — it’s meant to be a gentle and supportive reset, not intense or performance-oriented, and no previous retreat experience is required.scription text goes here

  • Absolutely — the space is intentionally slow, supportive, and restorative, with time built in for stillness, shared silence, and personal reflection in nature.

  • Bring comfortable clothing for nature walks and sessions, personal care items, a journal if you like, and anything that supports rest and reflection. (The retreat team will share a detailed packing list closer to the event.)

  • Participants who choose to camp or arrive in an RV are very welcome. Please note the following important guidelines:

    • No camping or RV equipment is provided.
      Participants must bring all necessary camping or RV supplies, including bedding, lighting, cooking gear (if needed), and personal comfort items.

    • Self-sufficiency is required.
      This option is best suited for those who are comfortable managing their own setup, sleep arrangements, and basic needs throughout the retreat.

    • Quiet hours and group rhythm apply.
      To support rest and nervous-system regulation for all participants, campers and RV guests are asked to respect retreat quiet hours and shared schedules.

    • Limited amenities.
      Access to restrooms and common areas will be shared and may be limited depending on location. Please arrive prepared for a simple, nature-based experience.

    • Weather and terrain awareness.
      Camping and RV areas may involve uneven ground and changing weather conditions. Participants are responsible for assessing whether this option feels supportive for their body and nervous system.

    • Electrical hookups & water.
      Electrical hookups, water, or sewage connections are not guaranteed unless explicitly confirmed in advance.

    • Liability & safety.
      Campers and RV participants assume responsibility for their personal equipment, vehicles, and safety.

    If you have questions about whether camping or RV participation is the right fit for you, we encourage you to reach out before registering.

  • Klarna allows participants to split payments into 4 interest-free installments. If you are having trouble accessing this at checkout, please reach out to Kristin at hello@kristinmcconnell.com

  • Cancellations received on or before March 20, 2026 are eligible for a full refund, with the exception of the 3% payment processing service fee.

    Cancellations made after March 20, 2026 will receive a 50% refund.
    No refunds can be issued for non-attendance or early departure.