During 2017-18, the North Coast Primary Health Network funded UCRH to trial compassion focused therapy (CFT) with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients. My colleague on the project, Natalie Roxburgh, and I reasoned that CFT, which is focused on counteracting feelings of shame by developing the skills of self-compassion, might fit well with the strengths-based approach that underpins contemporary approaches to enhancing Aboriginal Social and Emotional Wellbeing.
We were right – and we were wrong. Our initial 6 months of the project were an object lesson in what doesn’t work when translated to the Aboriginal context! Even though we adapted the CFT materials through community consultation, we ran “conventional groups” – lots of talk, concepts, and ideas. It didn’t cut it. We had to re-think.
After considerable reflection and concern, Natalie and I took up a suggestion of one of our group members, who suggested: “Why don’t you bring art into it?” So we teamed up with Lismore-based community arts company, RealArtWorks, and developed Arts-based Compassion Focused Therapy (ABCFT), channelling the core elements of the therapy through art. The difference in experience was extraordinary. Participants loved this approach and derived tangible benefits.
It turns out the Federal Department of Health have loved this approach too. UCRH has received almost 3 years funding to further develop the protocol for ABCBT and to train local health workers.
Professor James Bennett-Levy
Academic Lead, Mental Health
