Seasons for Healing Program

Seasons for Healing is a small group loss and grief education program that provides culturally safe support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait adults experiencing change, loss and grief.

How does Seasons for Healing work?

Seasons for Healing is a small group program that offers an educational, cultural and therapeutic approach that assists in the healing from loss and grief. Adults in the group learn from each other in culturally safe ways through a range of activities designed to invite reflection, sharing and conversation. Participants learn that they are not alone in dealing with the effects of change, loss and grief, and have the chance to listen and share, make decisions, problem-solve and consider plans for the future.

Esteemed Aboriginal artist Bronwyn Bancroft has created a unique and moving series of artworks to illustrate the activities and learning in Seasons for Healing.

What are the outcomes for participants?

The Seasons for Healing program meets the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation National Performance Indicators, and in particular the National Outcomes of:

Strengthened social, spiritual, emotional and physical wellbeing
Strengthened connection to culture
Strengthened cultural identity and pride

(Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation, 2011)

How is the Seasons for Healing program delivered?

Trained facilitators known as "Companions" deliver the program for small groups of 4-7 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. The like-to-like peer learning process creates a safe space for adults children and young people to practise new ways of thinking and responding to the change and loss that has occurred in their lives.

The program includes four sessions (2.5 hours) designed to be co-facilitated, as a minimum, with one Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander facilitator (known as a Companion). Each participant is provided with an activity journal to explore and complete throughout their Seasons for Healing journey. Where possible, we suggest that anyone impacted by bereavement wait 6-12 months before participating in a Seasons for Healing program.

The small group program is not designed to be used in one-on-one counselling, or as a large group program.

What do I need to deliver Seasons for Healing?

The training is delivered in-person on country to those who seek to facilitate the Seasons for Healing program. Professionals, agency-endorsed volunteers or other suitably qualified adults participate in the two-day training workshop to facilitate the program in their organisation or community.

Companions attend ten hours of training which involves engaging with the evidence and theoretical foundations underpinning the program; and exploring the program content via an ‘inside out’ approach that immerses Companions in the key learning outcomes and activities. Trained Companions are supported with a comprehensive set of materials including manuals, flip-charts and participant journals and access to an online portal, communities of practice and professional development and support.

How do I implement Seasons for Healing?

To facilitate a Seasons for Healing small group program, you must first attend our training. The following steps provide a guide to implementing the program in your community. Our team will support you along your Seasons for Healing journey.

Please contact our team via the enquiry form below for further information.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I train to facilitate the program in my community? article.articlepublicnumber KA-01067 article.knowledgearticleid 7eda7f5f-3aa7-4166-8ba5-2ce4d7b4322e

MacKillop Seasons works with professionals to deliver Seasons for Healing training on country in local communities. Please review our upcoming training on our training page, or contact us for further information.

Following completion of the two-day training, am I ready to deliver the small group sessions? article.articlepublicnumber KA-01068 article.knowledgearticleid f9a43f73-76ea-4771-9805-971338470082

The two-day training workshop will equip you to implement the program supporting small groups of 4-7 participants. As a trained facilitator (also known as ‘Companion’) you are supported with a comprehensive set of materials including manuals and participant journals and access to an online portal which offers a wide range of additional resources, networking opportunities and support. Should facilitators hold subsequent small group programs, additional journals can be purchased on our Resources page.

What support is offered following the program training? article.articlepublicnumber KA-01069 article.knowledgearticleid 95db6f97-7ed1-4f02-a06c-e0bfaedf1ac5

As a trained Companion, you are supported with a comprehensive set of materials including manuals and participant journals and access to an online portal, implementation planning, communities of practice and professional development. All Companions are encouraged to seek formal program accreditation which requires them to not only train but also to implement the program, attend a supplementary learning session and submit participant and self-evaluations.

Has Seasons for Healing been evaluated? article.articlepublicnumber KA-01070 article.knowledgearticleid 8f1b14b6-338d-48f0-af30-0ae71d7f063f

Yes, Seasons for Healing was evaluated in 2011 by School of Social and Policy Studies, Flinders University who concluded that the program meets the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Healing Foundation National Performance Indicators, and in particular the National Outcomes of:

Strengthened social, spiritual, emotional and physical wellbeing
Strengthened connection to culture
Strengthened cultural identity and pride

I would like to participate in a small group program, how do I find a program near me? article.articlepublicnumber KA-01071 article.knowledgearticleid 49caaabe-c2f8-4192-86df-6e8ed553c592

MacKillop Seasons provides the training required for Companions to deliver our small group programs. Companions facilitate the Seasons for Healing program in their local organisations and communities. To access a group, please check with your local community organisations, such as the Aboriginal Medical Service, Centacare, Catholic Care or Interrelate. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide details of where and when these groups are held.