Navigating Loss & Grief

This interactive three-hour workshop explores the many forms of loss, including ambiguous loss, and the diverse ways humans experience and express grief. Participants deepen their understanding of grief as a universal yet deeply personal process, shaped by culture, relationships, and lived experience. The workshop offers practical tools for supporting children and adults through grief, including communication and validation strategies, therapeutic rituals, and meaning-making practices. With space for reflection and dialogue, this session invites caregivers, counsellors, and helping professionals to build confidence in responding to grief with presence, compassion, and care.

“Know” Knowledge & Understanding

• Identify the many forms of loss, including ambiguous and non-death losses.
• Understand the wide spectrum of grief responses and why there is no single “right” way to grieve.
• Recognize how grief may show up in workplace relationships, behaviour, and performance.

“Do” Apply Skills & Practice

• Use developmentally appropriate and culturally responsive approaches when supporting grief.
• Apply communication and validation strategies that honour individual grieving processes.
• Support children, youth, and adults in meaning-making within their existing roles and practice settings.
• Integrate simple, therapeutic rituals that foster connection and acknowledgement of loss.

“Be” Professional Growth & Transformation

• Hold space for grief with increased empathy, patience, and emotional awareness.
• Approach loss with curiosity and compassion rather than discomfort or avoidance.
• Show kindness and care toward colleagues and those they support.
• Contribute to a workplace culture that acknowledges loss as part of the human experience.

Options: Mental Health During the Holidays with Young Children