Bodhi & Psychology

18/07/2025

This is me chuffed to have signed off with Bloomsbury on our book chapter Decolonising Mental Health with my coauthor Michelle Lawrence today.

This chapter invites us to critically examine the colonial foundations of psychology and reimagine mental health through a lens of justice, cultural safety, and Indigenous knowledges. It critically examines the failing of Australian mental health practices and is a call to unsettle the systems we’ve inherited. Clinical case studies and reflection prompts call therapist to rebuild something more human, more relational, and more inclusive through improved clinical care.

For therapists, educators, and changemakers: if you’ve ever felt the limits of Western frameworks in your work, this is for you. Read this for the slow, necessary work of unlearning and reimagining.

🖋 Chapter: Decolonising Mental Health
📘 In: Aboriginal Social Worker Voices
📍 In press

05/07/2025

This image shared by .union is a great illustration of why therapists need to centre the voices and expertise of Indigenous, CALD, and people of colour when learning about cultural humility and decolonial work. When learning, our job is to 1. Decentre ourselves 2. Centre the knowledge of lives experience and those who are doing the work - POC, disability advocates, lgbtqia+ clinicians 3. Listen, reflect and work through the inevitable discomfort and shame 4. Understand that engaging in this work without doing the inner work can be deeply unsafe for participants

23/06/2025

Looking forward to joining all you Psychologists interested in working with spirituality and the non physical in your therapy work. Click on the link below to register for the meeting 3rd July 1.30pm AEST
https://www.aapi.org.au/Web/EventDetail?EventKey=IG250703

12/06/2025

Dear Psychologists .soulcoach and I have created a new Spirituality and Psychology Interest Group with the AAPi ✨

Many therapists have shared with me that they feel uncertain about how to use and talk spirituality (with colleagues and clients), so we want to change that! Our intention is to create a safe space for psychologists to connect and grow in this area - for the benefit of therapists and clients.

Our inaugural meeting is:

Thursday 3rd July 1.30pm-2.30pm AEST

Here is some information about the group...

This AAPi Group brings together psychologists with an interest in spirituality. We explore how spirituality—a sense of connection to something greater, beyond the physical senses—intersects with psychological practice. And how we can facilitate healing though connection with culture, spirituality, ancient wisdom, and meaning making. The group offers a safe space for connection, collaboration, and the exchange of ideas among spiritually-minded psychologists. It supports the development of competencies for working respectfully and safely with clients’ spiritual beliefs and needs.

The group is facilitated by Dr Averil Cook and Emma Gray. We are psychologists, passionate about spirituality and supporting therapists in holistic practice. Averil runs masterclasses and workshops on decolonisation, and works with the Human Rights Commission. Emma runs “women’s wisdom” meditation groups and mentoring for therapists to support their spiritual growth.

We look forward to welcoming you into this beautiful space for co-creative growth and connection of like-minded, amazing humans! 💜xx

Click on the link below to register for the meeting 3rd July 1.30pm AEST
https://www.aapi.org.au/Web/EventDetail?EventKey=IG250703

— with Averil Cc.

06/06/2025

Hi everyone,

We would love for you to join us at the MHPN multidisciplinary networking event next week, where we’ll be joined by the insightful Dr Averil Cook for a rich and thought-provoking presentation on human rights and cultural reflexivity in mental health care.

This event offers meaningful professional development and aligns with the upcoming 2025 competency requirements for culturally responsive practice and professional reflexivity.

Date: Wednesday 11th June, 6:30–8:00pm
Location: The Talbot Centre – Suite 501/8 Elizabeth Macarthur Dr, Bella Vista
(In-person with refreshments provided!)
Online attendance also available

Why Join?

In a rapidly evolving mental health landscape, culturally responsive and human rights–aligned care is more than a best practice, it’s an ethical imperative. This event is a valuable opportunity to:

• Reflect on your own cultural lens and clinical approach

• Deepen your understanding of equity and advocacy in care

• Connect with other thoughtful professionals across allied health disciplines

• Stay ahead of upcoming professional standards while engaging in meaningful dialogue

Whether you attend in person or online, we’d love for you to be part of this important conversation. Please feel free to share the invitation with your colleagues working across mental health settings.

Register here: MHPN Portal https://mhpn.org.au/Members/ #/Meeting/26367

We look forward to connecting with you!!

26/05/2025

We recognise National Sorry Day. “Every year on 26 May, National Sorry Day remembers and acknowledges the mistreatment of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who were forcibly removed from their families and communities, which we now know as ‘The Stolen Generations’. - https://www.reconciliation.org.au/national-sorry-day-2020/

22/05/2025

Join me and Dr Catherine McCarthy for our last in a series talks for .org.au on the Power Threat Meaning Framework. This alternative model to diagnosis will be combined with discussions on decolonising psychological practice . Whether you are looking to better work with complexity, understand your human rights obligations under the new code of conduct and Competencies, or to build your anti oppressive practices - come and join us next week! Free for AAPi members and cheap if you’re not!

27/04/2025

03/04/2025

With equal part excitement and nerves I was invited to speak at the Australian Human Rights Commission today alongside security partnership Directors and Australia’s S*x Discrimination Commisioner Anna Coady.

The small topic - how to care take during these turbulent times for humanity.

I drew on the powerful learnings from clients as a psychologist as we discussed human rights, systemic theory, decolonial practices , psychology and and ancient knowledges of healing and community.

Our health and legal systems are similar in the issues that we grapple within and between. Embodied practice and integrating the self with the work remains our common learning edge.

Today I’m feeling inspired to be part of interdisciplinary learning and knowledge sharing.

27/03/2025

"Shatter the stigma" is the first mental health community event for those identifying with Asian heritage. It will be run during Asian heritage week and it's an event that is about reducing the stigma around seeking mental health support for our Asian community. You will have the opportunity to speak to many Asian mental health professionals in a relaxed environment and meet like-minded individuals.
All the information is on the flyer below.

Please feel free to share with clients/friends/family and as there are limited seats if you would like to attend then you can register for your FREE ticket here

Join Project HoriZen’s "Shatter the Stigma" – a mental health connect for Asian Australians. Listen, share, mingle, and help break the stigma together!

13/03/2025

What a great day working with supervisors and clinicians on cultural reflexivity and anti oppression at out Board approved Masterclass. Some key takeaways for all psychologists
1. Get uncomfortable -this is where the growth is
2. Professional growth will only happen with deep personal reflection
3. Psychology is undergoing a paradigm shift and moving towards a human rights approach to care
4. We have a ****tonne to learn from indigenous cultures, non western health models, community based care and non medicalised ways of healing

To join us in this ongoing conversation and learning
1. Sign up to the Bodhi mailing list for info on upcoming training and resources (links in comments)
2. Sign up to our next masterclass in August (links in comments)
3. Join us on social media