Grief work through a harm reduction lens: Supporting clients who use substances

Description: Traditional grief models often rely on abstinence-based frameworks that may not adequately support individuals who use substances to manage emotional distress. This approach can overlook the realities of clients who are actively using substances during periods of acute grief, or who experience bereavement while living with a Substance Use Disorder.

This workshop introduces a harm reduction-informed approach to grief care, grounded in evidence-based, trauma-informed, and anti-oppressive practices. It is designed for both clinical and non-clinical providers who support individuals affected by loss and substance use, including those impacted by the ongoing overdose and drug poisoning crisis.

Learning objectives: 

• Gain a deeper understanding of the intersection between grief and substance use
• Acquire practical strategies for individual and group support
• Understand and implement tools for integrating harm reduction principles into grief work
• Professional insight from over a decade of frontline grief support with substance-using clients and more than five years of experience training providers in this approach 

By the end of the session, participants will be equipped with compassionate, flexible, and contextually informed strategies to meet the unique needs of bereaved clients who use substances.

Ontario Psychological Association employees, members, associates and affiliates can use discount code OPA15 to receive 15% off all upcoming programs (cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions/discounts).