Dr. TSANG Wai-hung, WallaceWallaceDr. TSANG Wai-hung2026-07-082026-07-082026Tsang, W. H. (26 Mar 2026). Divorce discernment counseling in Hong Kong: A clinical conceptual framework with the 4Rs. 2026 The International Family Therapy Association Congress, Bergen, Norway.http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11861/28059This presentation introduces a clinically adapted framework—the 4Rs Model—to guide Divorce Discernment Counselling practice within Hong Kong’s socio-cultural landscape. <br> Divorce discernment counseling (DDC) serves couples on the brink of separation by helping them gain clarity and confidence about the future of their marriage. While DDC has developed conceptually in Western contexts, its application in Hong Kong presents unique cultural and relational dynamics rooted in collectivist values, filial obligations, and evolving marital expectations. This presentation introduces a clinically adapted framework—the 4Rs Model—to guide DDC practice within Hong Kong’s socio-cultural landscape. The framework comprises four interrelated processes: 1) Reconnection of Self, where individuals explore personal values, emotions, and relational positions beyond reactive decision-making; 2) Revisiting Marriage, which facilitates reflective understanding of marital history, patterns of interaction, and unmet needs; 3) Reconciliation, emphasizing empathy and emotional closure through guided dialogue; and 4) Responsible Choice*, supporting each partner in making an informed, respectful, and sustainable decision regarding the relationship’s continuation or dissolution. Clinical cases drawn from counseling practice in Hong Kong will illustrate the model’s practical application and therapeutic value. Through these cases, the paper demonstrates how the 4Rs framework enables counselors to balance neutrality, cultural sensitivity, and emotional containment while addressing clients’ ambivalence. The approach integrates systemic, psychodynamic, and mindfulness-informed techniques suited to Hong Kong’s sociocultural context, where saving face, family roles, and intergenerational expectations strongly influence marital decisions. <br>enConference Paper