This 2 day workshop will be a brief introduction to Narrative Therapy and Community Work, offering take away skills and further ideas to think about for future practice.

Narrative approaches to therapy and community work are vitally interested in the stories of people’s lives, and how stories can be told in ways that make people stronger.

It is possible for us to invite people to tell and re-tell stories in ways that can offer hope and healing. With the use of narrative practices, we seek to honour and acknowledge the stories of hardship and loss that people have experienced. And at the same time, we make it possible for people to tell other stories of their lives as well, stories that bring strength and possibilities.

Narrative approaches can be used in a range of contexts and workers in all roles and at all levels are encouraged to join us.

Over two days we will cover:

Day one

Cultural Safety and Protocol
Some principles that underpin Narrative Practice
Letters to problems
Externalising Map
Externalising exercise
Collective externalising

Day two

Questioning discourse
Therapeutic posture
Re-authoring/double listening
Tree of life
Documentation

You can find out more about Narrative Approaches and Community Work here: https://dulwichcentre.com.au/courses/aboriginal-narrative-practice-course/lessons/what-is-narrative-therapy/

Event details

Session One: Tuesday 15th April 2025
Session Two: Wednesday 16th April 2025
Time: 9:30am - 4:30pm AEST

Location: Novotel Brisbane Airport, 6/8 The Circuit, Brisbane Airport, QLD, 4008.

Please note: This is a 2 part series. Participants should attend all sessions.

Who should attend

This workshop is for workers in the domestic and family violence, sexual assault and women's health and wellbeing sector.

If you work in an eligible target group domestic and family violence, sexual assault and women's health and wellbeing service in a rural or remote area you are eligible for travel support (flights and accommodation), – click here to apply. If you are unable to download the application form please email workforce@healingfoundation.org.au to receive a copy.

About the facilitator

Tileah Drahm-Butler

Tileah Drahm (she/they) is a Kullilli & Yidinji woman, who lives in Gimuy, known as Cairns, Queensland in so called Australia. Tileah is a mother to 3 wonderful young people; she’s a Narrative Practitioner and PhD candidate and has completed a Master of Narrative Therapy and Community Work. Tileah has over 20 years of experience working across Aboriginal Health and Social and Emotional wellbeing and now works as an Emergency Department (ED) Social Worker at the Cairns Hospital. Teaching Narrative Practice to First Nations people, and the yarns that take place through these times, is what floats Tileah’s boat!