My name is Emma Quirk. I grew up on Darug Country in the Blue Mountains, west of Sydney, and for as long as I can remember, I’ve been driven by a deep desire to understand people and walk alongside them in their healing journeys.
It wasn’t until my late twenties that I made the decision to pursue psychology professionally. That choice led me north to Townsville, where I completed my degree in 2021. Straight out of university, I accepted a role at the Cleveland Youth Detention Centre—and that’s where my path as a psychologist truly began.
My time in Cleveland was confronting, powerful, and transformative. I worked almost exclusively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, many of whom carried complex trauma shaped by systems that were never designed for their healing. Coming from down south, I hadn’t had much real exposure to First Nations communities before this role. But in Cleveland, I was immersed—listening, learning, and gaining deep insight into cultural practices, kinship systems, and the enduring impacts of colonisation. That experience didn’t just shape my professional development—it changed who I am as a person.
It was in those early years that I knew I wanted to work for, with, and around Indigenous people. That’s why I joined Wakai Waian Healing. The organisation’s integrity, cultural leadership, and deep commitment to sovereignty and healing is unlike anything else I’ve come across. I feel privileged to work under the guidance of people like Ed Mosby and Aunty Ivy Trevallion, who are shaping the future of culturally anchored healing across the Torres Strait and beyond.
My particular interest lies in forensic psychology. I’m drawn to the intersection between law, trauma, and mental health—especially how systems of incarceration and justice impact the wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. I believe this is where culturally safe psychology can have the most impact.
I’ve recently relocated to Nambour and look forward to building strong relationships with community there and in Cherbourg. I’m excited to contribute to Wakai Waian Healing’s vision, and to grow as a clinician and ally in this powerful, values-led space.