Uploaded February 2025 | Updated September 2026, 7 hours ago
In this powerful talk, renowned psychologist and Nyamal woman, Dr Tracy Westerman talks with journalist and Wiradjuri man Stan Grant about the transformation taking place in the treatment of Indigenous trauma.
From humble beginnings in the remote Pilbara, Dr Tracy Westerman became the first Aboriginal person in Australia to complete a PhD in Clinical Psychology. She rose to become one of the country’s leading psychologists. In her clinical practice and charitable foundation, she revolutionised the treatment of mental health, suicide behaviours, and complex trauma in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Marking the publication of her memoir Jilya, Westerman speaks to Stan Grant, arguing that the mental health profession's one-size-fits-all approach has created irreparable damage. Drawing on decades of client stories of trauma and heartbreak, she explains how a different approach has helped to heal the wounds of intergenerational trauma. Exploring other topics such as the Raise the Age campaign and Stan & Tracy’s own lived experiences and struggles, this is an important and impactful conversation not to be missed.
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The event was held on World Suicide Prevention Day, Tuesday 10 September. If you or someone you know is affected by the topics discussed in this program, please reach out to the support resources below for help.
Hotlines:
· 13 YARN: 13 92 76
· Lifeline: 13 1 14
__
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In this powerful talk, renowned psychologist and Nyamal woman, Dr Tracy Westerman talks with journalist and Wiradjuri man Stan Grant about the transformation taking place in the treatment of Indigenous trauma.
From humble beginnings in the remote Pilbara, Dr Tracy Westerman became the first Aboriginal person in Australia to complete a PhD in Clinical Psychology. She rose to become one of the country’s leading psychologists. In her clinical practice and charitable foundation, she revolutionised the treatment of mental health, suicide behaviours, and complex trauma in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Marking the publication of her memoir Jilya, Westerman speaks to Stan Grant, arguing that the mental health profession's one-size-fits-all approach has created irreparable damage. Drawing on decades of client stories of trauma and heartbreak, she explains how a different approach has helped to heal the wounds of intergenerational trauma. Exploring other topics such as the Raise the Age campaign and Stan & Tracy’s own lived experiences and struggles, this is an important and impactful conversation not to be missed.
—
The event was held on World Suicide Prevention Day, Tuesday 10 September. If you or someone you know is affected by the topics discussed in this program, please reach out to the support resources below for help.
Hotlines:
· 13 YARN: 13 92 76
· Lifeline: 13 1 14
__
SUBSCRIBE to Sydney Opera House: https://soh.online/Subscribe
Our doors are always open! Go behind-the-scenes at one of the busiest performing art centres in the world – and a World Heritage-listed architectural masterpiece.
What are you waiting for? Step inside and find your Sydney Opera House. Subscribe now and discover more of what you love – exclusive backstage content, interviews, performances, live streams, sneak previews and more.
WATCH MORE
For more content under the sails, get access to a selection of world-class performing and digital arts on Stream.
Sign up for free stream.sydneyoperahouse.com
FIND US ON SOCIALS
Facebook: facebook.com/sydneyoperahouse
Instagram: instagram.com/sydneyoperahouse
Twitter: twitter.com/sydoperahouse
WHAT'S ON
Discover what's on at Sydney Opera House:
bit.ly/SOHWhatsOn
