9:00 AM – 10:15 AM ET
Can I Say Something?
How Psychological Safety Can Transform Our Workplaces
Presented by Françoise Mathieu, MEd, RP
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Strong teams are defined not just by their skills, but by the level of psychological safety within them—when people feel confident to contribute, challenge, and question decisions without fear. This is important in every workplace, yet critical in high-stress, trauma-exposed work.
When we move from judgment to curiosity, we create space for more productive conversations. When we shift from shutting down to creative exploration, we unlock stronger problem-solving. And when we allow ourselves to be authentic instead of perfect, we build workplaces where people can learn and grow.
This opening keynote for CARE4YOU 2025 will share simple and practical ways to create more psychological safety in the workplace.
10:30 AM – 11:30 AM ET
You Can’t Meditate Your Way Out of a High-Stress Job
A Conversation on Real Self-Care with Dr. Pooja Lakshmin
Presented by Pooja Lakshmin, MD, and Françoise Mathieu, MEd, RP
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Dr. Pooja Lakshmin, MD, is a psychiatrist and the author of Real Self-Care. In her work, she explores “faux self-care”—bubble baths or apps that look like wellness, but ignore the root of our distress. Real self-care is not something you buy. It is a practice of reclaiming agency and aligning decisions with your core values.
In this conversation, Françoise Mathieu and Dr. Lakshmin will talk about what real self-care means for people working in high-stress, trauma-exposed jobs. They’ll look at how current social and global challenges are amplifying stress, and the role leaders play in supporting workplace well-being.
12:30 PM – 1:45 PM ET
One Care
How Caring for Geckos, Gorillas, Yourself, and Each Other is Interconnected
Presented by Sabrina Brando, CEO AnimalConcepts & PhD Researcher
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Working in animal care and conservation comes with its ups and downs: joy, stress, opportunity, joy, and sometimes sorrow. And we’ve long known that the wellbeing of humans and animals is deeply connected. Models like One Health and One Welfare show just how closely our lives are linked. Taking care of ourselves so we can give care to others–animal or human–is fundamental to staying well and feeling fulfilled in this kind of work.
Research shows that self-care is one of the most effective and protective, yet underutilized, pathways to staying well while doing caring work. Recent research in zoos and aquariums has started to explore how people in these fields see their own wellbeing, how satisfied they are at work, how confident they feel in their roles, and what kinds of self-care actually help.
In this session, Sabrina Brando shares stories from her journey in wildlife care and conservation, as well as insights from her research on self-care practices among zoo and aquarium professionals. She shares the concept of the One Care approach which combines “self-care” and “we-care” practices for the good of animals, people, and the planet.
2:00 PM ET – 3:15 PM ET
Navigating Perfectionism, Stigma, and Shame
A Lawyer-Therapist’s Perspective on Staying Well in Trauma-Exposed Work
Presented by Doron Gold, BA, JD, MSW, RSW, CPC
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Like many in the helping professions, lawyers strive for excellence and mastery in their work. These qualities enable us to do our work well, yet over time can quietly erode our well-being. When we hear difficult stories or see upsetting images as part of our work, this can further impact our ability to stay emotionally connected to the people we serve—clients, patients, families, victims of crime, and others.
Doron Gold is a psychotherapist and former practicing lawyer. His unique dual perspective—gained through years of working at the Ontario Lawyers’ Assistance Program (OLAP)—offers valuable insight into the emotional toll of trauma-exposed work. In this session, he will explore how high-stress work impacts our well-being and offer strategies to stay well.
3:20 PM ET - 4:00 PM ET
Between What is Right and What is Possible – Cultivating Moral Courage
Presented by Françoise Mathieu, MEd, RP
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In many helping roles, we navigate the space between what is right and what can actually be done. This tension can wear away at our sense of purpose over time and contribute to moral distress.
In this closing address, Françoise Mathieu explores how to meet these moments with moral courage. She will look at how to stay rooted in what matters most, how to act with integrity when systems or situations pull us in other directions, and how to keep making decisions that align with our values, day by day, one decision at a time.
