Pre-Conference Workshops
Applying LGBTQ+ Affirmative Therapy for Grieving
2026.01.22
11:00 - 13:00
38/F, Chubb Tower, Windsor House, Causeway Bay
Mr. Dino Wong
Clinical Psychologist in Accredited Register
Clinical Psychologist, Grounder Psychological Services
Chairperson, Society of True Light
Langauge
Cantonese
Overview
Grief is a universal human experience, yet for LGBTQ+ individuals, it is often compounded by minority stress, disenfranchised loss, and the ongoing pursuit of self-acceptance within heteronormative contexts. These forces leave many LGBTQ+ individuals carrying grief that is both personal and systemic, yet seldom validated in therapeutic settings.
This workshop provides a practical, skills-based introduction to applying LGBTQ+ affirmative therapy in grief work. Grounded in the minority stress model, the session will explore how grief processes intersect with chronic stress exposure, resilience pathways and identity-related vulnerabilities. Participants will also learn how to implement affirmative practices within commonly used grief frameworks such as the dual process model, helping practitioners integrate inclusive practice into familiar therapeutic structures.
Through case examples, reflective exercises and guided practice, the workshop will support participants in:
- identifying LGBTQ+ grief processes and disenfranchised loss
- applying affirmative practices within grief models
- addressing the impact of minority stress on meaning-making and adaptation
- navigating complex family and social contexts
- fostering resilience, community connection and identity integration in grief work
Programme Content
- Overview of LGBTQ+ grief through the minority stress model
- Core principles of LGBTQ+ affirmative practices
- Case conceptualization using minority stress and grief frameworks
- Applying affirmative skills within grief models
- Group practice with case scenarios
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) for Unresolved Emotional Wounds with Family Members during the End-of-life Process
2026.01.22
15:00 - 18:00
38/F, Chubb Tower, Windsor House, Causeway Bay
Ms Natalie Tong
Registered Psychologist (Hong Kong Psychological Society)
Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (California, USA)
ICEEFT Certified EFT Supervisor & EFT Therapist
Honorary Lecturer, Department of Social Work and Social Administration, The University of Hong Kong
Language
Cantonese
Overview
The end of life process of a loved one brings a sense of finality in family members that can trigger unresolved feelings of hurt and resentment. They find themselves caught up in an intricate web of conflicting feelings with the dying and other family members which can easily leave them stuck. Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) works to help people move with and through stuck emotions. This pre-conference training workshop provides a roadmap and a set of interventions to navigate through the emotional terrain of family members who are journeying with the dying as they reach the end of their lives.
Programme Content
- Looking at emotions and relationships through the lens of Emotionally focused therapy (EFT)
- Goals of EFT and the role of the EFT therapist
- Examples of emotional blocks in family members of the dying in the end-of-life process
- Strategies in EFT to move through emotional blocks
- Disenfranchised grief in LGBTQ+ individuals navigating through end-of-life process of their family members
- Group practice of EFT interventions in specific case scenarios
