Loss, Grief & Empathy

Loss, Grief & Empathy

Presented by Tracey Milson, Director of ThrivePD, and featuring grief educator and author Doris Zagdanski, this insightful seminar explores contemporary understandings of grief, loss, and the role of empathy in supporting those experiencing life-changing events.

Drawing on both professional expertise and personal experience, Doris examines how grief extends far beyond death to include losses such as divorce, infertility, illness, retirement, aging, and major life transitions. She discusses modern approaches to grief, moving beyond traditional stage-based models to emphasise individual experiences of adaptation, meaning-making, and ongoing connection through the concept of continuing bonds.

The conversation also explores disenfranchised grief, gender differences in grieving, and the importance of recognising and validating losses that are often overlooked or misunderstood. A central focus of the seminar is empathy—what it truly means, how it differs from sympathy, and how practitioners can communicate in ways that support rather than unintentionally minimise another person's pain.

Through practical examples and real-life stories, Doris provides valuable guidance on having meaningful conversations about grief, responding with compassion, and supporting people through difficult experiences. This seminar offers counsellors and helping professionals a thoughtful and practical framework for understanding grief and strengthening their capacity for empathetic, person-centred support.