Childlife On Call Webinar
Date: Feb 18, 2026
Time: 11:00am CST - 12:00pm CST
“Grief in the Asian Context: A Collectivistic Approach”
Audience: Certified Child Life Specialists
Length: 45–60 minutes (presentation + Q&A)
Format: Live virtual session hosted on Zoom
Grief is a universal human experience, yet the ways we approach, process, and talk—or do not talk—about it vary widely depending on our values, assumptions, and cultural backgrounds. Cultural nuances shape how care is received (or resisted) and offer important insight into how support is best provided. For example, collectivistic cultures often prioritize the wellness of the group over the individual, while individualistic cultures tend to emphasize personal preferences and goals.
While no one can claim to fully understand all Asian cultures, Asian communities remain underrepresented in grief research, grief therapy, and grief groups. Why is this the case? Despite extensive research demonstrating the benefits of counseling and support services for the bereaved, studies focused on Asian communities remain limited. Yet Asian individuals and families are not immune to death or tragedy. In the wake of COVID-19 and recent hate crimes, the number of deaths within Asian communities has been staggering. Why, then, does so little information exist—and what can be done to help?
We are honored to present on a topic so dear to our hearts at the Child Life Circle’s monthly gathering. As its name suggests, Child Life Circle is a true “circle of support” for child life specialists, created to foster continuing education, reflection, and connection. Child Life Circle is part of Child Life On Call, an organization dedicated to making child life services more accessible, actionable, and impactful for parents, families, professionals, and the broader community.
During the webinar, we will explore how collectivistic values may not always align with Western-based grief practices. Child life specialists will gain not only a broader perspective, but also practical, actionable strategies for integrating these cultural nuances into their day-to-day programming and services.