Collective Narrative practices with women who have experienced Trauma by Lesley Grant
In this presentation Lesley will share how collective narrative practices can be an effective remedy for the lingering effects of trauma and violence against women. These practices acknowledge and dignify the complexity, defiance, resistance, and human agency of the women that live with these ongoing effects. In this presentation she will demonstrate how, through the use of letters of encouragement and other documents, women can make powerful connections, sharing ideas and resources about their lived experience. Shared documents and connecting women provide an antidote to isolation and a sense of being alone, that too many women experience after violence, and these ideas can provide a sense of solidarity and rekindle a glimmer of hope.
Author biography
Lesley Grant (she/her) is a narrative therapist, feminist, social worker, supervisor who lives and works on Awabakal land (Newcastle NSW). She has worked in a number of health settings such as community health, sexual assault and child adolescent mental health for over 25 years. Having moved into her own practice in 2014 with accreditation as a Mental Health Social Worker and Approved Victims Service Counsellor she works in partnership with people who come to her with challenging life experiences and problems stories. Informed by narrative ideas, she is committed to supporting people back to preferred ways of living. Currently she works mostly with women and children who are impacted by gendered violence and are living with trauma and its ongoing effects. She is very interested in challenging individualistic traditions of therapy and using collective narrative practices in her work. You can get in touch with Lesley at lesley@replenishcounselling.com.au.
Published on November 25, 2022
