Tracy Westerman in conversation with Edith Wright for the Margaret River Writers Festival (out of season event)

Join Dr Tracy Westerman AM in conversation with fellow author Edith Wright for the launch of her ground-breaking memoir, Jilya: How one Indigenous woman from the remote Pilbara transformed psychology.

From her humble beginnings in the remote Pilbara, psychologist and Nyamal woman Dr Tracy Westerman has redefined what’s possible at every turn. She was the first Aboriginal person in Australia to complete a PhD in Clinical Psychology, rising to become one of the country’s foremost psychologists.

Against significant odds, she commenced her own private business to challenge the way the mental health profession responds to cultural difference, and recently established a charitable foundation and scholarship program to mentor Indigenous people from our highest-risk communities to become psychologists.

Drawing on client stories of trauma, heartbreak, hope and connection from her years of practice, Tracy offers a no-holds-barred reflection on how the monocultural, one-size-fits-all approach to psychology is failing Aboriginal people and how she’s healing those wounds. 

Dr Tracy Westerman is a proud Nyamal woman from the Pilbara region of Western Australia. She has a PhD in Psychology and is the owner and founder of Indigenous Psychological Services and founder and Executive Chair of the Westerman Jilya Institute for Indigenous Mental Health. She is a recognised world leader in Aboriginal mental health, cultural competency and suicide prevention, achieving national and international recognition for her work. She has received many awards including an Order of Australia, Telstra Women’s Business Award Winner (WA) and Australian of the Year (WA).

Tickets: PWYC (Pay What You Can)

Book sales and signing will be available on the night

This event is a Margaret River Readers & Writers Festival fundraiser – please join us in supporting the arts in Margaret River.