Finance, Leadership & Legacy - An Executive Retreat for Group Practice Owners
Carrapateira, Algarve Region, Portugal
September 28th to October 3rd, 2027
Join us for a transformative 5-night executive retreat in Portugal, intentionally designed for ambitious group practice owners who are ready to elevate their business, strengthen their leadership, and create long term financial success — without sacrificing the life they want to build along the way.
Set in a breathtaking rustic boutique estate, Casa Fajara, surrounded by the hills of Portugal, this intimate experience offers the perfect balance of strategic business conversations, meaningful connection, and space to slow down and reflect. Complete with a pool, tennis court, yoga space, sauna, 15 minute walk to the ocean and stunning natural surroundings, this retreat creates the ideal environment to step away from the constant demands of ownership and reconnect with your bigger vision.
This is not simply a retreat — it is a strategic investment into the future of your practice, your leadership, and your legacy.
Throughout the week, we will focus on helping practice owners increase profitability while reducing operational overwhelm. Together, we will explore sustainable systems for scaling, strategies to improve both client and clinician retention, and leadership approaches that strengthen team culture and performance. We will also dive into leveraging AI and emerging technology to improve efficiency, streamline operations, and support smarter growth decisions within your practice.
Alongside myself, two incredible guest experts will lead high-level conversations around financial strategy, revenue growth, operational excellence, leadership development, wealth building, and long-term business planning. This retreat is designed to help you think beyond the day-to-day demands of ownership and begin building a business that supports both financial freedom and meaningful impact.
Beyond the business conversations, this retreat also offers the opportunity to fully experience the beauty and culture of Portugal. Together, we will enjoy thoughtfully curated meals, hiking through the Portuguese hills, and a day trip to the coastal town of Lagos. There will also be space intentionally built into the experience to rest, recharge, and reconnect with yourself outside of your role as a business owner and leader.
By the end of your stay, you will leave with clearer financial direction, stronger leadership strategies, practical systems for sustainable growth, and renewed energy for the future of your business and life.
Your Retreat Ticket Includes:
5-Night Private Estate Accommodation: Enjoy your stay at a stunning rustic boutique estate in Portugal, complete with a pool, tennis court, sauna, yoga space, and breathtaking surroundings designed for both relaxation and inspiration.
Executive Workshops & Mastermind Conversations: Participate in high-level workshops and collaborative discussions led by experienced facilitators and guest experts specializing in financial strategy, leadership, operational growth, and long-term business planning.
Networking & Meaningful Connection: Build authentic relationships with fellow group practice owners in an intimate and supportive environment designed for collaboration, growth, and connection.
Daily Breakfast & Curated Dining Experiences: Enjoy beautiful shared meals, including daily breakfast, three lunchs and three thoughtfully curated group dining experiences featuring local Portuguese cuisine.
Immersive Portugal Experiences: Experience the beauty of Portugal through intentional excursions including hiking adventures and a day trip to Lagos.
Space for Reflection & Visioning: Step away from the daily pressures of ownership to reconnect with your bigger vision, think strategically about your future, and return home with renewed clarity and momentum.
FACILITATORS & HOSTS
Our facilitators and guest experts are intentionally selected to create a high-level, transformational experience for practice owners who are committed to building sustainable, profitable, and values-aligned businesses. We are honored to feature Nicole Ripley, Ryan Shoemaker, and Elana Sures — leaders who bring deep expertise, practical insight, and a shared passion for helping practice owners grow both personally and professionally.
Nicole Ripley, RCC & Group Practice Owner:
Nicole Ripley is a clinical therapist, clinical supervisor, and accomplished group practice owner with over a decade of experience in leadership and business development within the mental health industry. As the founder and CEO of a rapidly growing multi-location organization consisting of more than 110 staff across ten locations. Nicole brings extensive expertise in scaling sustainable businesses, building high-performing teams, and creating operational systems that support long-term growth. Nicole is passionate about helping practice owners strengthen leadership capacity, improve team culture, and develop businesses that support both profitability and meaningful impact.
Ryan Shoemaker, IG Executive Wealth Advisor:
Ryan Shoemaker is a Wealth Manager and financial strategist who brings depth, clarity, and a values-based approach to financial planning for professionals and business owners within the field of mental health. With an academic background in Molecular Biology and International Finance, along with continued education through Wharton and Georgetown, Ryan specializes in helping individuals better understand their finances, grow wealth intentionally, and plan for long-term sustainability and legacy.
As a featured contributor to Investment Executive and guest lecturer at Queen’s University, Ryan has a unique ability to simplify complex financial concepts into actionable strategies. His work focuses on helping therapists and practice owners make aligned financial decisions, strengthen long-term planning, and build greater confidence around wealth creation and financial security.
During the retreat, Ryan will lead accessible and engaging conversations around financial wellbeing, wealth building, and long-term financial strategy for practice owners — helping attendees feel more informed, empowered, and financially confident in both business and life.
Elana Sures, RCC, ACS, GPO & Group Practice Performance Coach:
Elana Sures is a Registered Clinical Counsellor, Approved Clinical Supervisor, and founder of Open Space Counselling, a seven-figure group practice with two Vancouver-area locations and a team of more than 20 therapists. Through her consulting company, Group Practice Performance, Elana works closely with practice owners to strengthen the operational and clinical systems that drive sustainable growth, profitability, and long-term clinic performance.
Elana specializes in client retention strategies, key performance indicators, and the systems required to support productive and sustainable caseloads. She is the creator of the Client Retention System, a training program used by group practices to reduce early client dropout and improve long-term client engagement. Her practical and systems-focused approach provides practice owners with actionable strategies that improve both the client experience and overall business performance.
Elana Sures: Registered Clinical Counsellor, Approved Clinical Supervisor, Group Practice Owner & Group Practice Performance Coach
Ryan Shoemaker: Wealth Manager & Guest Expert
Nicole Ripley, Registered Clinical Counsellor & Group Practice Owner, Clinical Facilitator
Melissa Goundar, Retreat Coordinator
RETREAT VENUE & TOWN
Nestled within the natural beauty of the Algarve region, Casa Fajara offers a peaceful and inspiring retreat setting in the charming village of Carrapateira, Portugal. Surrounded by rolling hills, rugged coastline, and protected natural landscapes, this boutique estate creates the perfect environment to step away from the demands of daily life and reconnect with your vision, leadership, and wellbeing.
Known for its laid-back atmosphere and breathtaking scenery, Carrapateira is one of Portugal’s hidden gem! A small coastal village celebrated for its dramatic cliffs, stunning beaches, hiking trails, and authentic Portuguese charm. The slower pace of life here offers a refreshing contrast to the fast-moving demands of business ownership, creating space for reflection, creativity, and meaningful connection.
Casa Fajara blends rustic luxury with warmth and simplicity. The estate features beautifully designed accommodations, lush outdoor spaces, a swimming pool, tennis court, sauna, yoga space, and cozy gathering areas intentionally designed to support both relaxation and connection throughout the retreat experience. Every detail of the property encourages guests to slow down, recharge, and fully immerse themselves in the experience.
Throughout your stay, you’ll enjoy beautiful shared meals, quiet mornings overlooking the countryside, and opportunities to experience the surrounding beauty of the Algarve region. From hiking through the hills of Portugal to exploring the coastal town of Lagos, this retreat balances high-level business conversations with rest, adventure, and intentional community.
With its intimate atmosphere and stunning natural surroundings, Casa Fajara provides more than simply a venue — it offers a transformative space to think differently, reconnect with your bigger purpose, and return home feeling grounded, inspired, and energized for the next chapter of your business and life.
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
7:00am Optional Gentle Movement, Guided Meditation, Yoga Session, or Countryside Walk
8:30am Breakfast & Morning Connection
9:30am Executive Workshop Session (2.5 hours) followed by Optional Coaching, Mastermind Discussions, or Q&A Session (30 minutes)
12:30pm Lunch
2:00pm – 6:00pm Flex Time (enjoy the pool, sauna, tennis court, explore the grounds, journal, connect with fellow practice owners, schedule a massage, rest, or participate in an optional excursion)
6:30pm Dinner, Fireside Conversations & Evening Connection
Throughout the retreat, workshop sessions will focus on financial strategy, leadership development, sustainable scaling, client and clinician retention, operational efficiency, wealth building, and leveraging AI and emerging technology to strengthen your practice.
Excursion days, including our visit to Lagos and hiking adventures in the hills of Portugal, may follow a modified schedule. A detailed itinerary will be provided to participants prior to the retreat.
REGISTRATION
Participant tickets start at $3,200 CAD (approximately $2,350 USD) for our Community Shared accommodations, with premium accommodation options available up to $4,850 CAD (approximately $3,550 USD) for Luxury Private Rooms. Spaces are intentionally limited to maintain an intimate, high-touch experience.
Bring a Guest! A limited number of companion guest spaces are available for attendees staying in eligible private rooms. Companion guests are $2,500 CAD (approximately $1,850 USD) and must either work within the mental health industry or play a meaningful role in supporting your business (such as a business partner, operations manager, clinical director, or spouse actively involved in your practice). Companion registration includes accommodations, daily breakfast, group meals, excursions, and access to the retreat experience.
Registration is now open! A $750 CAD deposit is required to secure your registration. Flexible payment plans are available, with full details about the rooms provided when you register.
POLICY
Cancellation Policy
When booking the retreat, a $750 (CAD) non-refundable deposit is required. If you decide to cancel the retreat, you have until June 1, 2027 to do so and request a refund in writing for the remaining portion of the ticket, excluding the deposit amount. This is the date given to us by our venue and we are unable to make any changes thereafter. Therefore, if you cancel after June 1, 2027, no refunds will be issued for the ticket, regardless of the reason for cancellation. It is important to understand that by purchasing a ticket for the retreat, you are agreeing to abide by our cancellation policy. Upon approval, a ticket may be transferred to another Group Practice Owner, we are often waitlisted and will do our best to support where possible. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
TRANSPORTATION
We recommend flying into Faro International Airport (FAO), the primary airport serving Portugal's beautiful Algarve region. Casa Fajara, located in the charming village of Carrapateira, is approximately a 1-hour and 20-minute drive from the airport.
Complimentary round-trip airport shuttle transportation between Faro International Airport and Casa Fajara is included with your retreat registration. Additional details regarding shuttle schedules and recommended arrival and departure times will be provided closer to the retreat date.
Please ensure you have a valid passport that does not expire within three months of your travel dates.
DIETARY REQUESTS
Guests who have specific dietary requirements or restrictions are kindly requested to inform us in advance. By providing us with this information ahead of time, we will make every effort to accommodate your requests. We cannot guarantee the availability of specific ingredients or guarantee a completely allergen-free environment.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
All participants of our retreat must secure appropriate travel insurance to protect themselves against unforeseen circumstances. Travel insurance should include coverage for trip cancellation, trip interruption, medical expenses, emergency evacuation, and personal liability. Participants are responsible for obtaining their own travel insurance and should ensure that the coverage meets their individual needs and requirements. Please review your insurance policy carefully and contact your insurance provider for any specific questions or concerns regarding coverage.
OTHER DETAILS
Not included: flights/associated travel costs, travel insurance, some meals specified on own. Closer to date, detailed information including a suggested packing list will be provided.
This is a wellness retreat, not psychotherapeutic in nature.
Continuing Education Disclosure Statement
We are proud to offer a range of Continuing Education (CE) opportunities, many of which are primarily Canadian-based. The availability and accreditation of CE credits depend on the background, nationality, and training of the facilitators leading each workshop.
It is important to note that within Canada, both provincial and national associations have their own unique regulations and requirements for CE recognition. While we strive to offer high-quality training that aligns with professional standards, we encourage participants to consult with their respective governing or clinical bodies prior to registration. This step will ensure that the CEs provided are recognized as accredited training in accordance with your specific professional guidelines.
We are here to answer any questions and support you in making the most of your retreat experience.
