November 5, 2025 :Courage and Meaning in the Inner and Outer World
In collaboration with Seniors Action Quebec: SANAAQ CENTRE: 1200 rue Sussex, Montreal H3H 0E3
We live in a world marked by uncertainty, division, and loss—and these external crises reverberate within us. Many feel overwhelmed, fearful, or disconnected from a sense of purpose. How can we meet this moment with courage? How can we reclaim personal authority and create meaning, even when circumstances seem beyond our control? This talk explores practical ways to navigate both the inner and outer challenges of our time, drawing on depth psychology, resilience, and the search for meaning.
October 30, 2025
Between Father and Son: Freud, Jung, and the Rift that Shaped Depth Psychology
In collaboration with the Jung Society of Montreal
Let me close this introduction with one final comment by way of a warning. The story that follows is not a nice one. It is not a love story… when men first decided they had the power to understand one another in an entirely new way, it should not surprise us that the results could be tragic.
— John Kerr, A Most Dangerous Method: The Story of Jung, Freud, & Sabina Spielrein (1993)
In this session, we will explore a chapter from C. G. Jung’s memoir Memories, Dreams, Reflections, focusing on his complex and evolving relationship with Sigmund Freud. Together, we will reflect on what this historic encounter between two pioneering minds can teach us
about our own lives — about intellectual passion, loyalty, rupture, and the costs of understanding one another too well.
May 1, 2025: Jung’s Confrontation with Death: An Introduction
In collaboration with the Jung Society of Montreal
“Whatever you do, if you do it sincerely, will eventually become the bridge to your wholeness, a good ship that carries you through the darkness of your second birth, which seems to be death to the outside.” – C.G. Jung, A Letter from 1945
In this session, we will consider Luis Moris’ thoughts on the mystery of death in the life of Jung and on how we might integrate death into our daily lives. Details can be found here.
March 19, 2025: Grief Chats Q&A: Men’s Grief
In collaboration with the Canadian Grief Alliance and Canadian Virtual Hospice
Details to Come.
Feb 24, 2025: Grief Chats Q&A: Relationship Loss
In collaboration with the Canadian Grief Alliance and Canadian Virtual Hospice
Join grief specialists Marney Thompson, MA, and Maxxine Rattner, PhD, and special guest Chris MacKinnon at 8:30pm ET/5:30pm PT. There is no charge to attend. Follow the link here.
Nov 2024: Grief Chats: Culture & Grief
In collaboration with the Canadian Grief Alliance and Canadian Virtual Hospice
In case you missed it, the recording of the most recent Grief Chats: Culture & Grief with Dr. Harvey Max Chochinov, PhD, Chris MacKinnon, PhD, Lawrence Cheung, Shahina Siddiqui, Reena Samra, and Elder Gerry Oleman is now available!
September 2024: Retirement Coaching Association of Canada, Virtual Conference
Dark Passages in Retirement: Grief, Trauma, and Recreating Oneself
May 2024: Advanced Learning in Palliative Medicine Conference, Toronto ON.
Keynote: The Deep Side of Loss and Trauma: Centralizing What Matters Most
May 2023: Nova Scotia Hospice Palliative Care Association
Keynote: The many faces of loss and trauma: Deepening our Awareness in Uncertain times
November 2022, WINNIPEG Planning with Pride Conference
Keynote: The Deep Spaces in Grief and Loss: Making Meaning in Changing Times
January 2021 Online course
BEREAVEMENT PSYCHOTHERAPY:
A MEANING-ENHANCING APPROACH TO LOSS**
**COURSE FULL: PLEASE CONTACT US TO BE PUT ON THE WAITLIST FOR THE NEXT TRAINING
The program consists of 12 sessions of 1.5 hours (18 hours total OPQ continuing education credits) offering psychotherapeutic training in working with clients confronting loss, bereavement, and life transition drawing largely on constructivist (meaning-centered) approaches. Course content keeps pace with the latest developments in the fields of psychotherapy, loss, and bereavement. The program addresses psychological assessment, case conceptualization, and psychotherapeutic skills. The course will be offered over Zoom.
Cost: Regular; $900; Student rate: $800; Group Rate for Institutions: $700 per person, minimum 3 registrants.
Family Medicine Forum November 2020:
Physicians, Heal Thyselves: Responding to workplace-related grief
With Cornelius Woelk, MD, CCFP (PC), FCFP; Chris MacKinnon, PhD, OPQ; and Viola Woelk
Healing Broken Hearts Online Conference November 2020
Grieving in 2020: Canadian Virtual Hospice presents Bereavement in a time of Global Pandemic
Host: Christopher MacKinnon / Panel Members: Christina Frangou, Cherie Kok, Paul Adams
Centralizing the “Other” Pandemic: Humanizing the Grief of Opioid Loss
Host: Christopher MacKinnon / Panel Members: Jennifer Howard, Andrew Robertson
Grief and Covid-19: A 10-Part Webinar Series: Spring - Summer 2020
This 10-Part Webinar Series was put on by the Canadian Virtual Hospice and co-hosted with Marney Thompson of Victoria Hospice.