Family-Focused Grief Therapy – A Model of Family-Centered Care During Palliative Care and Bereavement

Monday, 22 June 2009 - 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

David Kissane MD and Talia Zaider PhD

Only in English / Ausschließlich auf Englisch


Target Audience:

This workshop will target psychosocial and palliative care clinicians including social workers, psychologists, psychiatrists, nurses, family therapists, bereavement counselors, pastoral care clinicians and chaplains, together with palliative care, oncology and family physicians – any and all involved with family meetings towards the end-of-life.

Workshop Objectives:

The attendee shall be able to:

    1. Understand the background empirical research upon which this model of family therapy has been developed.
    2. Understand the core elements of the Family Focused Grief Therapy model and strategies that help therapists deliver the sessions.
    3. Practice techniques in framing questions and therapeutic summaries using FFGT.
    4. Practice techniques to resolve difficult challenges in keeping family meetings safe and effective.

Workshop Description:

The Family Focused Grief Therapy (FFGT) program is a brief, focused model of preventive family therapy delivered to families identified during palliative care to be "at risk" of complicated bereavement. It is commenced during advanced cancer with the patient present with their family. Its application within services depends on screening to identify those with some disturbance of their family functioning, a screening process that is readily integrated into a routine family educational session about the caregiving role.

This workshop will focus on how to conduct this therapy, with use of demonstration videos and role plays for participants to practice the techniques experientially. Challenges covered include helping the family discuss death and dying, remaining culturally sensitive, containing conflict, drawing relevant family members into sessions and sustaining a focus to the therapy.