Overview

This CPD activity is recorded content from the 2022 APS College of Clinical Neuropsychology Conference.

Psychologists in Australia are invited to critically reflect on the historical and cultural contexts of conceptualisations of mental health and wellbeing. They are invited to examine internalised and oppressive ideologies and theories that influence clinical practice and consider knowledge systems for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing. Decolonising strategies are also discussed. 

The Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association (AIPA) was invited to curate a stream dedicated to 'Indigenous Psychology and Decolonising Neuropsychology' as a part of the conference keynote presentation by the distinguished Professor Pat Dudgeon, and sets the context for other exceptional presentations by AIPA members Vanessa Edwige, Belle Selkirk, Tanja Hirvonen and Mary Goslett. 

Each webinar talk has a short quizz  (Knowledge questions) that you access at the end of the talk, and as always you will find the webinar survey and a certificate of completion at the bottom of the page.

Level of Learning

Foundational. This activity is targeted to those new to the topic.

Duration of access

Participants will have access to the recordings and resources for 12 months from the date of confirmed registration.

APS CPD-Approved

This activity has been assessed against the APS Standards for CPD activities and approved for its education quality.

Learn more about the APS CPD Approval process.

CPD Frequently Asked Questions

Refer to the APS CPD Frequently Asked Questions for general and technical information when undertaking APS Professional development activities.

Activity details

• On-demand recordings from APS CCN Conference 2022.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this webinar series, participants should be able to:

• recognise social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) as an important Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander concept of mental health and wellbeing and when integrated with mainstream Western Psychology, how it can shape an interdisciplinary approach for engagement, assessment, and intervention with First Nations Peoples, and

• recognise cultural safety in the context of conducting psychological and cognitive assessments of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Presenter(s)

Pat Dudgeon, Vanessa Edwige, Belle Selkirk, Tanja Hirvonen and Mary Goslett

About the presenter(s)

Pat Dudgeon is from the Bardi people in Western Australia. She is a psychologist and professor at the School of Indigenous Studies at UWA. Her research includes Indigenous social and emotional wellbeing and suicide prevention. She is the director of the UWA Centre of Best Practice in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Suicide Prevention and chief investigator of a national NHMRC research project, Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing, that aims to develop approaches to Indigenous mental health services that promote cultural values and strengths as well as empowering users. She has many publications in Indigenous mental health, in particular, the Working Together Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Mental Health and Wellbeing Principals and Practice 2014. As Australia’s first identified Indigenous psychologist she has been an influential in the profession. She is the founding chair of the Australian Indigenous Psychologists’ Association (AIPA).

Vanessa Edwige is a Ngarabal woman from Emmaville, NSW. Vanessa is a registered psychologist and the Chair of the Australian Indigenous Psychologists Association. Vanessa is a Director on the Board of Gayaa Dhuwi (Proud Spirit) Australia. Vanessa has worked in Redfern, NSW for the last 23 years working with Aboriginal children, young people, families and community to provide culturally responsive psychological support for adverse childhood experiences, intergenerational trauma and supporting cultural resilience. She currently works part- time as the Head of Social and Emotional Wellbeing for Cox Inall Ridgeway, an Aboriginal consultancy firm . She works privately writing psychological reports for people in contact with the judicial system, and has done so for the last nine years. Vanessa is a member of the independent advisory panel for the NSW Public Defenders Bugmy Bar Book project. She is a co-author for a report commissioned for the Bugmy Bar Book project on the Significance of Culture to Wellbeing, Healing and Rehabilitation in relation to treatment and healing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly those in contact with the judicial system.

Belle Selkirk is a Noongar woman from the South-West of Western Australia, connected to her culture through her grandmother, Lyla Hume, who has been a strong role model in her life. She grew up on Wadandi boodja as a child, then relocated to Whadjuk boodja (Boorloo, Perth) to study psychology. Belle was the inaugural recipient of the APS’s Bendi Lango Bursary in 2007 and completed her Master of Psychology (Clinical Psychology) at the end of 2008. Belle has over 13 years' clinical experience and has worked with Indigenous peoples’ in Australia and Canada. She has extensive experience in providing both short- and long-term psychotherapy, with a particular focus on social and emotional wellbeing, complex trauma, suicide prevention, and suicide bereavement. Belle juggles her time between family, private practice, while holding the post of Research Fellow on the Transforming Indigenous Mental Health and Wellbeing (TIMHWB) project.

Tanja Hirvonenis a Jaru and Bunaba woman, and a registered clinical psychologist currently based in North Queensland and practising across Australia. Tanja holds a double degree in psychology and human resource management and a master's degree in Clinical Psychology. She has a research and clinical background and extensive experience in working with individuals, families and organisations in regard to social and emotional wellbeing (SEWB) and complex trauma. Tanja has also developed and evaluated social and emotional wellbeing teams and programs. She is the Director of Wellbeing at ABSTARR Consulting and is an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in the Medical College of Flinders University. Tanja holds board appointments with Black Dog Institute, Thirrili Limited and with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women’s Alliance (NATSIWA).

Mary Goslett is of the Budawang people from the Murramurrang Clan of the Yuin Nation on the South Coast of NSW, of the Dhurga language group. Mary is a Psychotherapist, Clinical Psychologist and supervisor with an extensive history in direct clinical care, community services and adult education. She is based in Sydney and also works remotely with Indigenous People. Mary specialises in complex and intergenerational trauma, particularly the concomitant shame and self-loathing that arise, and works within a relational framework.