Overview

Please join us to learn about Decolonising Psychological Practice: Working within a Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) framework with First Nations Clients (7-8pm followed by 30min facilitated discussion time), and stay for the National Committee of Community Psychologists Annual General Meeting (8:30-9pm).

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experience markedly higher mental health problems and suicide mortality than non-Indigenous people in Australia, yet many practitioners have limited awareness of the needs of First Nations people such as a lack of consideration of protective factors, for example community and cultural connection. As a non-Indigenous psychologist committed to ally ship working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in her role as Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Counsellor at Deakin University, Kate applies a lens of practice that explores ways in which psychology practice and counselling have been colonised over time…and how it may be addressed moving forward. Kate will touch on her experience, the ways in which historical impacts make engagement with western models problematic and will share strategies to to promote engagement within the SEWB model.

Anyone with an interest in community psychology principles including decolonisation and culturally safe practice is welcome to attend.

Learning Outcomes

The objective of the presentation is for psychologists to reflect on and develop practical skills to enhance their therapeutic work with First Nations clients. Participants will also obtain an understanding of the Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Framework that incorporates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.

Presenter(s)

Ms. Kate Towart

About the presenter(s)

As Social and Emotional Wellbeing (SEWB) Counsellor at Deakin University, Kate supports all First Nations students studying across Deakin and is embedded within The National Indigenous Knowledges, Education, Research and Innovation (NIKERI) Institute. Kate’s role is informed by collective social and emotional wellbeing factors and provides accessible support that is client-centred, holistic, and culturally responsive. Born on Wadawurrung Country in Djilang/Geelong, Kate previously worked at the Institute of Koori Education (IKE) as a tutor and academic lecturer while completing her undergraduate, honours and master’s degrees in psychology. She has since worked as a registered psychologist for more than 20 years, across private, government and NGO organisations; including within primary, secondary, and tertiary education settings. Kate has a passion for diversity and inclusion and has delivered psychological interventions to a diverse range of populations, including newly arrived asylum-seekers in immigration detention settings and First Nations Australians in rural and remote areas of Central Australia, the Northern Territory and West Kimberley regions. Kate has an interest in supporting clients presenting with interpersonal issues related to intimacy and relationships and enjoys working within a strength-based and resilience framework. Kate is a member of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) and the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples and Psychology interest group and provides private supervision to psychologists in her role as an endorsed Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA)-approved supervisor.

Notes

Target Audience

This event is aimed at psychologists with an interest in the work of the College of Community Psychologists.

Please note:

• This is a Member Groups event. All communication will be sent to the registrants’ registered email address. This includes event reminders with details (such as the Zoom link) and any pre-event or post-event resources, if provided by the facilitators.
• A post-event email will be sent within two weeks of the event’s completion to each registrant’s registered email address. This email will include the CPD certificate, and any additional resources shared during the session.

Duration of Access

This event will not be recorded.

CPD

It is up to attendees to assess and determine how learning from this event aligns with the requirements of their learning plan. The providers accordingly do not make any representation that the event counts towards attendees’ CPD learning requirements. If an attendee determines themselves that the learning they complete aligns to their learning plan, then they can decide to count those hours towards their CPD requirements for the registration cycle.

The information in this presentation has been prepared in good faith and for educational purposes only. Therefore, the information is general in nature and should not be relied upon in the treatment of any condition and you should seek your own independent professional and/or legal advice concerning any specific issue. The APS accepts no responsibility for any errors, omissions or decisions relating to the information. The content should not be reproduced without permission or unless permitted by law.

If you are experiencing registration difficulties please contact APS Events Support.