Weaving Wayapa and cognitive behaviour therapy: applying research topic yarning to explore a cultural interface between Western and Indigenous psychology practice in Australia

Figures & data

Figure 1. Conceptual model of Wayapa Wuurrk: connection to elements strengthening indigenous social and emotional wellbeing.

Table 1. Wayapa and CBT practitioner participants.

Participant	Practice	Cultural Lineage
W1	Wayapa	Non-Indigenous
W2	Wayapa	Dharug & Wiradjuri First Nations
W3	Wayapa	Non-Indigenous
W4	Wayapa	Australian Aboriginal
W5	Wayapa	Non-Indigenous
W6	Wayapa	Saltwater woman of the Mainangal clan of the Worimi Peoples and the Language group Gathang
W7	Wayapa	Aboriginal
W8	Wayapa	Kamilaroi
W9	Wayapa	Non-Indigenous
C1	Psychologist	Non-Indigenous
C2	Psychologist	Non-Indigenous
C3	Mental Health Counsellor	Aboriginal. Mununjali/Bundjalung
C4	Psychologist	Non-Indigenous
C5	Psychologist	Non-Indigenous
C6	Psychologist	Non-Indigenous
C7	Psychologist	Non-Indigenous
C8	Psychologist	Non-Indigenous
C9	Psychologist	Non-Indigenous

W, Wayapa Practitioner; C, CBT Practitioner.

Table 2. Workshop descriptions.

	Wayapa workshop	CBT workshop
Aims	To build a shared understanding of the Wayapa practice while supporting participants’ connection with themselves and to each other.	To provide participants with the theoretical underpinnings of CBT and how it can be applied therapeutically.
Facilitation	Co-led by two research team members and Wayapa Practitioners ([omitted for blinded manuscript]).	Led by an Aboriginal Psychologist and member of the research team ([omitted for blinded manuscript].
Content	The workshop introduced ancient Aboriginal wisdom that emphasizes caring for Country as crucial for wellbeing and belonging. Ways to integrate this ancient knowledge into modern life were discussed, emphasizing reconnecting with nature, oneself, and others, drawing from practices maintained for millennia. The workshop also reminded participants that accessing this connected way of being is possible by reconnecting with their own ancestral heritage.	The workshop centred on exploring CBT within the Australian context, fostering discussions to share initial experiences and clarify understanding. Key concepts and tools of CBT were defined and described.
Delivery	After learning of the ancient wisdom foundational to the Wayapa practice, participants were invited to engage in a 15-minute Wayapa narrative movement meditation led by the facilitators. Participants could choose between standing or seated movement practice.	Participants were invited to apply some CBT tools to themselves and to reflect on the applications of the tools in practice. An example was to identify and challenge any unhelpful thoughts in response to a minor stressor from the day.

Figure 2. Two gunngang (goo nung) - two streams. Mark Lumley (Artist, Yorta Yorta, Wiradjuri).

Table 3. Yarning about Wayapa and CBT: Emergent themes and concepts from research topic yarning.

Uniquely Wayapa	Uniquely CBT	Shared Elements	The promise of Wayapa in therapeutic practice
(Earth) Mindfulness	The CBT model- thinking, feeling, and doing	(Psycho)Education	Building cultural safety
Holistic Healing of earth, mind, body and spirit	A structured process for enquiry (into thoughts and feelings)	Guided Discovery	Decolonising psychology practice
Advocacy and Earth Activism	Tools and Strategies	Collaboration	Re-energising CBT
Storytelling	Problem focus	Models for healing	Integrating Embodiment
Physical movement	Western research evidence		Integrating the natural world
Strengths-based			Thinking and doing, language and movement
Recognising culture and spirituality			Experiential strategies
Practice and Wisdom based evidence