2026-08-20T00:00:00-04:00
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Advanced Grief Therapy:
A Clinician’s Toolkit for Reconstructing
Meaning After Loss

February 6 – 13, 2027
Morning Workshop Sessions: February 8–12 | 9:00 am – 12:30 pm daily
7-Night All-Inclusive Resort Stay + Workshop Registration
Packages starting at USD $3,555 per room — not per person

About  —  Robert Neimeyer & Carolyn Ng

Presented by Robert Neimeyer & Carolyn Ng

Leading Experts in Grief Therapy and Meaning Reconstruction

Robert Neimeyer - Grief

Workshop Details

About this workshop

Advanced Grief Therapy: A Structured Approach to Adaptive Grieving

The experience of loss and grief is universal. Yet the psychological processes underlying adaptation to bereavement have been refined significantly in recent years. Research now distinguishes adaptive grieving from prolonged or functionally impairing grief.

This immersive five-day advanced grief therapy training with Robert Neimeyer and Carolyn Ng introduces a comprehensive, meaning-focused clinical model. The framework integrates attachment theory, trauma-informed care, and narrative reconstruction within a structured therapeutic approach.

Participants explore adaptive grieving as a dynamic process of reaffirming or reconstructing a world of meaning challenged by loss. Particular attention is given to sudden, violent, or relationally complex deaths.

Assessment and Differentiation in Bereavement

Clinicians review distinctions between normative grief and prolonged grief disorder. Recently established diagnostic criteria are examined alongside validated screening tools such as the Grief Impairment Scale and the Grief Attack Questionnaire.

Participants learn to recognize:

  • Markers of intense grief attacks
  • Trauma-related complications
  • Unfinished relational business
  • Disruptions in attachment and identity

Special attention is given to preventing retraumatization and pacing interventions appropriately within advanced grief therapy work.

Evidence-Informed Interventions for Meaning-Making

Throughout the training, empirical findings are translated into practical strategies. Clinical video demonstrations and structured experiential exercises support integration into practice.

Participants practice:

  • Secure Base Mapping
  • Life Imprint work
  • Restorative Retelling
  • Embodied Dialogue
  • Therapeutic correspondence with the deceased
  • Structured journaling practices

The workshop emphasizes maintaining psychological safety while supporting deep narrative reconstruction. These interventions are presented within a coherent advanced grief therapy framework.

Integrating Advanced Grief Therapy and Meaning Reconstruction Across Clinical Settings

This advanced grief therapy model provides a coherent yet flexible framework for diverse practice environments. It supports clinicians working in hospitals, private practice, community settings, and interdisciplinary teams.

Participants leave with structured assessment tools and clearly articulated intervention strategies. They gain confidence in facilitating resilience, adaptive functioning, and sustained psychological growth after loss.

By the end of the week, clinicians will be prepared to apply advanced grief therapy principles with depth, clarity, and compassion.

Invitation from Robert Neimeyer

Learning Objectives

  • Identify three key dimensions of adaptive grieving viewed through a narrative lens

  • Identify features of prolonged and functionally impairing grief in the context of a clinical interview

  • Explain use of the brief Grief Impairment Scale in initiating therapy and measuring therapeutic progress

  • Define the key components of grief attacks and list 4 approaches to mitigating them and defusing triggers for their occurrence

  • Describe the essential domains of a Meaning Reconstruction model of grief and outline how it can serve as a guidance-system for grief therapy

  • Explain the concept of continuing bonds and its role in adaptation to bereavement 

  • Apply Secure Base Mapping to trace sustaining bonds over time and identify internal and external resources to promote adaptation to life transitions 

  • Explain why it’s important to practice a conversational technique to review the back story of relationship with the deceased and to elicit lingering relational issues that require therapeutic attention

  • Describe research on sudden and traumatic bereavement and its relation to both unfinished business with the deceased and intense or prolonged grief symptomatology

  • Explain the use of the Unfinished Business in Bereavement Scale for assessing residual conflicts and disappointments in the relationship with the deceased

  • Describe guidelines for correspondence with the deceased that ensure safety for clients as they reopen and resolve complicated dialogues with loved ones interrupted by their death

  • Use the Life Imprint technique to recognize the living legacy of the deceased for the survivor at both concrete and abstract levels

  • Identify markers for the use of narrative retelling of an event story of loss, and guidelines for avoiding re-traumatization 

  • Explain the concept of narrative braiding and the three strands of the client’s story that this involves

  • Describe how to implement Restorative Retelling procedures for mastering the event story of the loss

  • Describe the four key steps in Embodied Dialogue and the key features of the process of the work that foster depth and safety

  • Explain the use of Conversing with the Canvas as an optional extension of the method and its advantages in individual and group applications

  • Distinguish between emotion-focused, sense-making and benefit-finding approaches to journaling and highlight the role of each

  • Discuss how to implement procedures for establishing safe entry into and exit from immersive and reflective journaling, and generalize to its use in therapy

Daily Workshop Agenda

Time Frame Content (Topics)
DAY 1
9:00 am – 10:15 am
  • Adaptive Grief: An Introduction 
  • Prolonged Grief: Applying Diagnostic Criteria

Objectives: 1, 2

10:15 am – 10:30 am Morning break*
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
  • Grief Impairment Scale: Assessing Functional Impairment
  • Grief Attacks: Assessment and Intervention 

Objectives: 3, 4

DAY 2
9:00 am – 10:15 am
  • Framing the Work: A Tripartite Model of Meaning Reconstruction
  • Wired for Attachment: The Continuing Bond 

Objectives: 5, 6

10:15 am – 10:30 am Morning break*
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
  • Caring and Daring: Secure Base Mapping 
  • Saying Hello Again: Introducing the Loved One 

Objectives: 7, 8

DAY 3
9:00 am – 10:15 am
  • Realigning Attachment: Complications in the Continuing Bond
  • Bonding vs. Binding: Screening for Unfinished Business
  • Sudden/violent loss and traumatic bereavement: clinical implications for unfinished business and prolonged grief.

Objectives: 9, 10

10:15 am – 10:30 am Morning break*
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
  • Reopening the Dialogue: Correspondence with the Deceased 
  • Origins of Identity: The Life Imprint 

Objectives: 11, 12

DAY 4
9:00 am – 10:15 am
  • The 3 P’s of Psychotherapy: Navigating the Process 
  • Restorative Retelling: Braiding the Strands 

Objectives:  13, 14

10:15 am – 10:30 am Morning break*
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
  • Trauma to Transformation: Clinical Illustrations 
  • From Principles to Practice: An Experiential Exercise 

Objectives: 14, 15 

DAY 5
9:00 am – 10:15 am
  • Embodied Dialogue: Analogical Listening to the Heart of Grief 
  • On Metaphors and Meanings: Experiential Practice 
  • Conversing with the Canvas as an optional extension (individual + group applications)

Objectives: 16, 17

10:15 am – 10:30 am Morning break
10:30 am – 12:30 pm
  • Writing for Wellbeing: Conceptual Distinctions and Empirical Support 
  • Directed Journaling: Personal Practice and Small Group Processing 

Objectives: 18, 19

*Breaks not applicable for CEs.

This workshop is approved for 16.25 CE hours by Praxis Continuing Education and Training.

Additional Workshop Details

Target Audience:
Marriage and Family Therapists, Clinical and Counseling Psychologists, Psychiatric Social Workers, Pastoral Counselors, Psychotherapists, Psychiatrists, Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Occupational Therapists, Counselors, Graduate Students in Accredited Programs in these fields

What level of knowledge should the attendee have in this topic?
Intermediate/Advanced

Pricing & Accommodations

Choose Your Retreat Package

Your Retreat Experience Includes:

  • 7 nights all-inclusive accommodations (Saturday, February 6 – Saturday, February 13, 2027) at Dreams Jade Resort & Spa.*
  • One workshop registration with Robert Neimeyer and Carolyn Ng
  • Daily training (9:00 am – 12:30 pm)
  • Access to resort amenities
  • All meals, drinks, and snacks included

*Each package includes a 7-night all-inclusive resort stay and one workshop registration. Workshop participants must book through the official Leading Edge Cancun registration process.

Retreat Package Pricing (7 Nights + 1 Workshop)

Early Bird Rates — valid to September 30, 2026

Junior Suite Tropical View Junior Suite Ocean View Preferred Club Ocean View (18+)
Single Occupancy (1 adult) USD$3,555 USD$3,985 USD$4,885
Double Occupancy (2 adults sharing) USD$4,035 USD$4,485 USD$4,885
Triple Occupancy (3 adults sharing) USD$5,435 USD$6,135 USD$6,705
Child Rate (3 to 12 year) when sharing with adult USD$616 USD$616 N/A

Important Information

  • Rates are shown in USD unless otherwise specified.
  • If you prefer to pay in CAD, you can select this option at checkout and pricing will automatically update.
  • Rates are per room, per week based on occupancy and include one workshop registration.
  • Additional workshop registrations can be added during registration.
  • Stay duration is 7 nights, Saturday to Saturday.
  • Children aged 0–2 stay free.
  • Child rates apply to children aged 3–12.
  • Guests aged 13+ are charged at the adult rate.
  • King bed rooms accommodate a maximum of 2 guests.
  • Rooms with 2 double beds accommodate a maximum of 4 guests.
  • Maximum room occupancy is up to 2 adults + 2 children, or 3 adults + 1 child, where room type allows.
  • Preferred Club accommodations are adults-only, 18+.

Room Options

junior suite tropical view
Junior Suite Tropical View

A comfortable and cost-effective option with tropical surroundings.

junior suite ocean view
Junior Suite Ocean View

An upgraded experience with beautiful partial ocean views.

prefered club ocean view
Preferred Club Ocean View (18+ only)

Premium accommodations with enhanced amenities and exclusive privilege

Which Option is Right for You?

Single Occupancy

Ideal if you prefer your own private space during the retreat. This package includes a private room for one guest, 7 nights of all-inclusive accommodations, and one workshop registration built into the price.

Pricing is per room, with one guest in the room.

Double Occupancy

Perfect for colleagues, friends, partners, or guests sharing a room. Your roommate does not need to attend the training.

Pricing is per room, not per person, and includes one workshop registration.
If your roommate is also attending the workshop, please add an additional workshop registration at checkout.

Triple Occupancy

A great option for families, colleagues, friends, or small groups sharing a room. Your roommates do not need to attend the training.

Pricing is per room, not per person, and includes one workshop registration.
If additional guests in the room are also attending the workshop, please add their workshop registrations at checkout.

Travel & Resort Info

About the Resort

Located along the Caribbean coastline just outside Cancun, Dreams Jade Resort & Spa offers a beautiful beachfront setting for both learning and relaxation. This all-inclusive resort provides the perfect balance of professional development and rejuvenation including:

  • Beachfront location with stunning ocean views
  • Multiple pools and private beach access
  • All-inclusive dining, drinks, and snacks
  • On-site restaurants, cafés, and bars
  • Fitness center and wellness facilities
  • Spa services available (additional cost)

Getting There

  • Airfare is not included in your retreat package.
  • Please plan to fly into Cancun International Airport (CUN) on Saturday, February 6, 2027
  • The resort is approximately 20–25 minutes from the airport.

Airport Transfers

  • Airfare is not included in your retreat package and must be arranged separately.
  • Private transfers and taxis are easily arranged at the airport
  • We will provide recommended transfer options prior to your arrival

Extending Your Stay

Interested in arriving early or staying longer?

We’re happy to assist with extended stay arrangements — please contact us for details.

About the Location

Located in Puerto Morelos, just south of Cancun, this quieter coastal area offers a more relaxed atmosphere while still being close to the airport and major attractions.

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