Zelda Freitas
Zelda Freitas is a Social Worker with extensive experience in the delivery of psychosocial care to adults experiencing loss of autonomy and their caregivers. As a research-practitioner and coordinator of the area of expertise in caregiving at the Centre for Research and Expertise in Social Gerontology (CREGÉS), she engages in the research, development, knowledge transfer and implementation of evidence-based practices related to psychosocial and interdisciplinary intervention in areas of caregiving, palliative care, and bereavement. As a member of the McGill Council on Palliative Care since 1998, she offers presentations on topics related to caregiving issues, grief and loss, and access to care.
Marney Thompson
M.A., Registered Clinical Counsellor
Marney Thompson is currently the Director of Psychosocial Services at Victoria Hospice where she previously worked as a counsellor. Since 1994, she has worked in-patient and community palliative care settings providing information, support, and counselling to patients and their families. For several years, her primary interest has been in the field of grief and bereavement. In 2014, Marney completed the Train-the-Trainer program at Columbia University’s Centre for Complicated Grief and has since focussed her teaching and clinical practice in this area. Marney also co-authored, “Transitions in Dying and Bereavement: A Psychosocial Guide for Hospice and Palliative Care, 2nd edition” which won 3rd place in the American Journal of Nursing’s book of the year award in the palliative and hospice care category. She recently co-authored an article published in the BC Medical Journal titled: “Attitudes and expectations regarding bereavement support for patients, family members, and friends: Findings from a survey of MAID providers.” Marney is a seasoned presenter who is regularly invited to speak at professional education and training institutes and conferences about the psychosocial aspects of dying, grief, and bereavement.