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/

Date: Tuesday 11 July & Wednesday 12 July 2023
Time: 9:30am - 5.00pm AEST
Location: Aria 1 Room, Crystalbrook Bailey, Ground Floor A/163 Abbott St, Cairns

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). To download the travel subsidy application form visit: http://workupqld.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Rural-Remote-Travel-Subsidy-Application.docx

About the facilitator

Tileah Drahm-Butler (she/her) is a Kullilli & Yidinji woman, and with Respect to Darumbal. Tileah has over 20 years of experience working across Indigenous Health and Social and Emotional wellbeing, including the past 8 years working as an Emergency Department Social Worker at the Cairns Hospital. Tileah is on the Dulwich Centre International Teaching Faculty where she leads the teaching of Narrative Therapy and Community Work through an Aboriginal lens and is a Dulwich Centre Co-Chair of Feminisms, Intersectionality and Narrative Practice. Tileah is currently undertaking a PhD through the University of Melbourne which intends on transforming the Cairns ED to a place of cultural safety, bringing together her passion for Aboriginal Narrative practice, community work and Emergency care.