Workshop | Crossing the river: supporting times of transition

Background: Changing relationships with major challenges in life, such as alcohol and other drugs, violence, past experiences, involve a state of change. This can be described as a time of ‘liminality’, or ‘in between’. This is often a time of confusion and vulnerabilities.

Model of Care: The Crossing the River framework was developed in the field of narrative practice.

Application to practice: The metaphor supports people to navigate transitions in their lives. In individual or groupwork, participants name what they would like to leave behind, to keep with them on the journey, and ‘get closer to’ on the other side of the river. People find their own ways of refining the metaphor about making the crossing, fitting it to their own challenges, resources, priorities and circumstances.

The approach has supported many men and women in our practice over 20 years in a wide range of contexts.

Implementation: The workshop will commence with an explanation of the theory and practices involved in the metaphor, and the range of applications by the facilitators and other practitioners

Most of the workshop will be devoted to participants drawing and completing River Crossing, based on a change they have navigated in life. Greg is a very experienced trainer and practitioner, supported by Tye.

This exercise will be established and actively monitored to assist a ‘safe’ and productive process.

The practice offers a flexible and creative means of assisting people to reflect on changes they hope for, and practical strategies to support them on their journey.

Outcomes: Participants will leave the workshop with skills in applying this valuable practice to their own settings.

Tye Hammersley | Galiamble Men’s Recovery Centre

Tye is a proud Murri man from his father’s side. He also has heritage from different parts of Europe on his mother’s side. He has a history of lived experience with both mental health and AOD . Tye has a Certificate IV in AOD, and a Diploma in Mental Health. He is currently completing the Diploma in AOD.

Greg Smith | Narrative Practitioner

Dr Greg Smith’s background includes casework and senior program advisor roles in community services, with a focus on ‘at risk’ behaviours. Greg has master’s degrees in social work and Narrative Therapy and Community work. Greg coordinated community services training with Swinburne University, subsequently focusing on narrative counselling and groupwork..

Credited Persons

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