Our Clients

Partnership Organisations

Psychotherapist and Counselling Federation of Australia

Dr Caroline Atkinson is currently the Head of the College of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Practices (CATSIHP). The CATSIHP terms of reference include achieving accreditation for all traditional Indigenous Healing Practices.

Griffith University

Culturally Informed, Trauma Integrated Healing Approach to care and practice. Griffith University, in collaboration with We Al-li, has adapted our systems transformation workshop into a one semester course as an elective for several of the University’s Degrees. Re-titled Trauma Integrated Practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, this course develops culturally informed and integrated knowledge and processes for trauma informed practice with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

While the course is primarily focused on Indigenous peoples and trauma the knowledge and practices developed are applicable to all populations.

View 7049 HSV course profile

Professional Training Workshops

Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet

Culturally Informed, Trauma Integrated Healing Approach to Care and Practice, system and organisation transformation workshops delivered to:

  • Many Rivers Family Violence Prevention Legal Service, West Kempsey NSW, Feb 2018
  • Djirra Family Violence Prevention Legal Service, Vic, Feb-Mar 2018
  • Aboriginal Family Law Service Western Australia,
    • Broome, March and April 2018
    • Kununurra, Apr 2018
    • Kalgoorlie, May 2018
    • Perth, May 2018
    • Geraldton, August 2018
  • Marninwarntikura Family Violence Prevention Unit, WA
    • Broome, Mar 2018
    • Fitzroy Crossing, Jul 2018
  • Central Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Unit, Alice Springs, NT, April and May 2018
  • Binaal Billa Family Violence Prevention Legal Service, Forbes, NSW, May and June 2018
  • Warra-Warra Family Violence Prevention Legal Service, NSW, March and May 2018
  • Thiyama-Li Family Violence Service Inc. NSW
    • Moree, April and June 2018
    • Walgett, April and June 2018
  • Southern Aboriginal Corporation Family Violence Prevention Legal Service, Albany, WA, July and August 2018
  • North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service
    • Darwin, NT, July and August 2018
    • Katherine, NT, July and August 2018
  • Ngaanyatjarra Pitjantatjara Yankunytjatjara Women’s Council Domestic Family Violence Service, Alice Springs, NT, July and October 2018
  • Family Violence Legal Service Aboriginal Corporation, Port Lincoln, SA, September and October 2018
  • Queensland Indigenous Family Violence Legal Service, Cairns, Nov 2018

Mental Health Coordinating Council

  • Culturally Informed, Trauma Integrated Healing Approach to Care and Practice, Public workshop, Coffs Harbour, Mar 2019
  • Culturally Informed, Trauma Integrated Healing Approach to Care and Practice, Public workshop, Sydney, Sep 2018
  • Culturally Informed, Trauma Integrated Healing Approach to Care and Practice, in Wadeye NT, Oct 2018
  • Culturally Informed, Trauma Integrated Healing Approach to Care and Practice, for Sydney Local Health District, Sydney, Sep 2018
  • Culturally Informed, Trauma Integrated Healing Approach to Care and Practice, for AIATSIS, Canberra, Aug 2018
  • Working together for a trauma informed response to Aboriginal healing needs, Sydney, 2013

Gestalt Therapy Australia, Melb, Vic

  • Dadirri, Apr 2019
  • Dadirri, Apr 2018
  • Cultural Safety/Fitness, Feb 2018

Ministry of Health, NSW

  • Culturally Informed, Trauma Integrated Healing Approach to Care and Practice, Got It! Conference, Coffs Harbour, April 2019

Department of Education Victoria

  • ROSA Network, 2019 Conference, 15-mile Camp, Vic, May 2019
  • Koori Staff and Regional Heads training, Culturally Informed, Trauma Integrated Healing Approach to Care and Practice, Keilor and Dunkeld Vic, Feb 2019

Family and Relationship Services Australia

  • Culturally Informed, Trauma Integrated Healing Approach to Care and Practice, Cairns QLD, Nov, 2018
  • Culturally Informed, Trauma Integrated Healing Approach to Care and Practice, Darwin NT, Jun, 2019

Boab Health Broome, WA, Nov 2018

  • Dadirri

Culture is Life, Melbourne, Vic, Aug 2018

  • Culturally Informed, Trauma Integrated Healing Approach to Care and Practice

North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency (and formerly for Central Australian Aboriginal Legal Aid Service Inc.)

  • Alice Springs, Aug 2015, Apr 2016, Nov-Dec 2016, Jul-Aug 2017 and Feb 2018
  • Four week pre-release program for female Indigenous inmates: part of Kunga Stopping Violence Project

Department of Corrective Services WA, Perth 2016

  • Staff Training Boronia Women’s Pre-Release Centre
  • Staff Training Bandyup Women’s Prison
  • Staff Training Youth Justice and Correctional Officers

Department of Health and Human Services (Victoria), Melbourne 2016

  • Culturally Informed, Trauma Integrated Healing Approach to Care and Practice

Yorgum Aboriginal Corporation, Perth 2016

  • Trauma Informed Care and Practice
  • Dealing with Vicarious Trauma

Family Workers Training and Development Programme, Sydney

  • Building on Indigenous healing traditions – body mind spirit in response to developmental trauma in a complex trauma environment, 2017
  • Understanding Generational Trauma, 2015
  • Trauma informed care/educaring approach to professional practice, 2014

Valley to Coast Medical Training, Newcastle 2015

  • Cultural Safety Workshop

Northern Rivers Social Development Council, Lismore

  • Staff mentoring program, 2015-2016

Interagency workshop, Katherine, 2015

  • Trauma Informed Care and Practice

South East Sydney Medicare Staff, Hosted by MHCC, Sydney, 2015

  • Working together for a trauma informed response to Aboriginal healing needs

PNG National Department of Health, Hoskins, 2015

  • Trauma Informed Work Practice
  • Responding to Vicarious Trauma as an OH&S issue
  • Working Within an Ethical and Legal Framework

Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council

  • Cultural and Spiritual Wellbeing – Self, Family, Community, Cairns, 2015
  • Cultural and Spiritual Wellbeing – Self, Family, Community, Brisbane, 2015
  • Cultural and Spiritual Wellbeing – Self, Family, Community, Rockhampton, 2015
  • Trauma Informed Care to Professional Practice, Cairns, 2014

Wesley Lifeforce for Wambool Aboriginal Suicide Prevention Network, Dubbo, 2014

  • Trauma Informed Care and Practice (5 interagency workshops)

Moree Secondary College, Moree, 2014

  • Intergenerational Trauma

Australian National University College of Medicine, Biology and the Environment, Canberra, 2014

  • Loss, Grief and Trauma

Protect Aboriginal Children Together, Moree, 2014

  • Trauma informed work practice

Department of Education NSW, Moree, 2013

  • Working with Children: Developmental Trauma in a Complex Trauma environment

Hunter New England Health District, 2013

  • Presentation on Trauma informed practice

Australian Centre for the Study of Sexual Assault, Sydney, 2013

  • Panel on trauma informed practice

Winnunga Nimmityjah Aboriginal Health Service, Canberra, 2013

  • Indigenous Counsellor Training

Community Workshop

Family and Relationship Services Australia, Cairns QLD, Nov, 2018

Embracing the Wild Conference, The School of Life, Sydney, Oct 2018

Gidgee Health, Normanton Recovery and Wellbeing Health Service, Normanton, QLD, Oct 2018

  • Dadirri

Blue Mountains Aboriginal Community Resource Centre, NSW, Sep 2018

  • Katoomba, Five day on country workshop with Elders and Community members

Miriam Rose Foundation, 2016, 2015

Mudgin-Gal Aboriginal Women’s Centre, Sydney 2016

  • Indigenous Counsellor Training

Barwon Early Education Centre, Department of Education NSW, Moree

  • Dadirri: The Ancient (Aboriginal) Traditional Art of Mindfulness, 2016
  • Working with Children: Prevention, Intervention and Healing, 2015
  • Working with Children: Developmental Trauma in a Complex Trauma environment, 2013

We Al-li PTY LTD, Lismore 2016

  • Dadirri: The Ancient (Aboriginal) Traditional Art of Mindfulness, Public workshop

Larrakia Nation, Darwin, 2015

  • Community Violence, Community Recovery

Domestic Violence Directorate, Department of the Attorney General and Justice (NT), Katherine 2015

Family Violence Legal Service South Australia, Port Augusta, 2015

  • Trauma and Trauma Informed Care

Wirraka Maya Wellbeing Centre, Port Hedland, 2014

  • Trauma Recovery for men, women, youth and adolescents

Benevolent Society, Sydney, 2014

  • A trauma informed approach to Aboriginal children’s healing needs

Goonellabah Public School, Goonellabah, 2014

  • Generational Trauma, and development of an action plan

Community Restorative Centre, Sydney, 2012

  • Educaring: A trauma informed approach to healing generational trauma for Aboriginal Australians

Maari Ma Aboriginal Health Corporation, Broken Hill, 2012

  • Working together for a trauma informed response to Aboriginal workplace practice: Vicarious trauma & self-care

Keeping Them Safe Program, Sydney, 2012

  • Seminar

Lismore High School, Lismore, 2012

  • Recreating the circle of Wellbeing

Minjerribah Sisters in Solidarity Project Women’s Community Aid Association, Stradbroke Island, 2012

Keynote / Guest Speaking

La Trobe University, Vic

  • Childhood Trauma and Education, Hard Yards Conference, Bendigo, May 2019

Health Education and Training Institute, Sydney, Nov 2018

  • Self Care and Staff Wellbeing

Creative Arts Network, Melbourne 2015

  • Dealing with Vicarious Trauma

Dreaming on the Edge Retreat, Healesville 2015

Legal Aid NSW, Sydney 2015

  • Trauma and Trauma Services

Salvation Army Healing and Remembrance Service, Palm Island, 2015

  • Guest speaker

University of Western Australia, Perth 2015

  • “The same mistakes, again and again.” – Intergenerational trauma, violence, incarceration – A privileged view from the inside.

Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council Staff Conference, Cairns, 2014:

  • Keynote speaker

Victim Support Service, Adelaide, 2014

  • Seminar address

Family Pathways Law Network, Tamworth, 2014

  • Guest speaker

Benevolent Society, Caring For Children State Wide Forum, Sydney, 2014

  • Guest Speaker

Department of Family and Community Services (NSW), 2013

  • Guest speaker at Community Seminar

Hunter New England Health District, 2013

  • Keynote speech

Southern Cross University, Lismore, Coffs Harbour, Gold Coast, 2013

  • Sorry Day speaker

Aboriginal Perinatal and Infant Social and Emotional Wellbeing Program, Sydney, 2012

  • Presentation and Panel discussion

Conferences

Family Workers Training and Development Programme Conference, Sydney, 2017

  • Keynote

Trauma, Memory and Representations of the Past: Postcolonial Legacies and the Meaning of Being Human, Stellenbosch University, Capetown South Africa, 2016

  • Trauma Trails: Cross Generational Healing from Colonial Injuries, Emeritus Professor Valerie (Judy) Atkinson
  • Researching Post Apartheid/Colonial Trauma, Dr Caroline (Carlie) Atkinson

Australian Childhood Foundation – International Conference on Childhood Trauma, Melbourne, 2016

  • Keynote – Protecting our children in the centre of our community circles
  • Plenary – Building on Indigenous healing traditions, body, mind, spirit – in response to developmental trauma within a complex trauma environment
  • Masterclass – “Oh, I am always scared Auntie.” A child’s fear may be expressed in rage, not submission

Berry Street Childhood Institute – Being Trauma Informed conference (with Bruce Perry), Melbourne, 2015

  • Working with children at risk within a complex trauma environment

Restorative Practices International Conference, Hobart, 2015

  • Does restorative justice have any relevancy to children with developmental trauma living within a complex trauma environment

Family Workers Training and Development Programme Conference, Sydney, 2015

  • Keynote Presentation
  • Round table facilitation

The Bouverie Centre: Working with Families and Complex Trauma Conference, Melbourne, 2015

  • Keynote speech
  • Workshop: Working with Children and Young People: Developmental trauma in children growing up in complex trauma environments

Second Symposium on Restorative Justice: Race and Power, Skopelos Island, Greece, 2014

  • Restorative Justice for all: Connecting, creating and educating online

11th Connexions Conference, Terrigal, 2014

  • Keynote speaker

Salvation Army Healing and Remembrance service, Slacks Creek, 2014

  • Presentation

University NSW: 4th Australian Suicide Post-vention Conference, Sydney, 2014

  • Workshop – Hidden Trauma Healing
  • Plenary – Healing through transformation by new meanings
  • Workshop – Post-vention in schools with children who have attempted suicide – An Indigenous perspective

Social and Emotional Wellbeing National Conference, Brisbane, 2014

  • Talking Circles, Sharing Circles, Healing Circles

Family Workers Training and Development Programme Conference, Sydney, 2014

  • Workshop – Understanding Generational Trauma
  • Presentation – Generational Trauma
  • Keynote – Generational Trauma for Aboriginal Families
  • Panel Discussion – What does a trauma informed service system look like?

Interrelate Staff Conference, Sydney, 2014

  • Keynote speech
  • Workshop Intensive knowledge transfer for Interrelate staff.

Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care, Cairns, 2013

  • Keynote – Working Together to Heal Generational Trauma
  • Keynote – Working With Children at Risk – developmental trauma within a complex trauma environment
  • Workshop – Educaring – Whole of community change in healing generational trauma

Family Planning Queensland, Brisbane, 2013

  • Keynote speech

Australian Red Cross: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Staff Forum, Brisbane, 2013

  • Plenary session speaker
  • Facilitated two yarning circles

Consultancy Work

Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory

  • Lead consultant in developing a proposal for a Trauma Informed Systems renewal project, 2016-17

Royal Commission into NT Youth Detention, 2016

  • Submission on impact of trauma and lack of trauma informed services in NT detention centres

Department of Health and Human Services (Victoria), 2016

  • Discussions with Senior Leadership Group

University of Wollongong:

  • Coordinate and deliver Grad Cert in Indigenous Trauma Recovery Practice, 2016
  • Designing Grad Cert in Children and Youth, 2016

University of Western Australia, 2015

  • Consultative work on Youth and Juvenile Justice Issues

Relationships Australia, South Australia, Adelaide, 2015

  • Four day consultative process

Department of Family and Community Services NSW, Moree, 2014

  • Ongoing and continuous family intervention and support services

Australian Institute for Health and Wellbeing, Closing the Gap Clearinghouse

  • Attend the Strategic Resource Group, 2012
  • Prepare and launch a Resource paper, 2012

Charles Darwin University, Darwin, 2013

  • Office of the Pro Vice-Chancellor – Indigenous leadership and Australian Centre for Indigenous Knowledge and Education