My name is Shirley Simpson, and I’m a proud Wakka Wakka and Kabi Kabi woman, with deep connections to the Goongari people. I walk with story, spirit, and strength – and I believe healing happens when our mob feel safe enough to yarn, laugh, cry, and remember who they are.
Before stepping into mental health, I walked a different path – through the world of law and justice, passionate about the rights of our people. But life had other plans. When I fell ill, a new door opened: one that led me to counselling, healing, and eventually, a deep love of narrative therapy. I began with a diploma, followed by a Certificate IV in Mental Health, and then a Diploma and Master’s in Narrative Therapy through the Dulwich Centre and the University of Melbourne. That journey transformed me.
My work is saturated in culture. Whether I’m supporting grandmothers by the water, yarning in the cemetery with grieving families, or helping young people imagine a better future – I always walk gently, without judgement, creating safe spaces for truth to rise. I believe in the power of storytelling to restore spirit. When we share stories, we make sense of our pain, honour our resilience, and remember our worth.
One of my proudest moments was supporting a same-sex couple in Cherbourg through two years of narrative work. Together, we imagined what their home could look like without grog, without chaos – just peace, love, and purpose. That couple went on to move into a home, get married, adopt a child, and thrive. That’s the power of healing through story.
I work Tuesday to Thursday with Wakai Waian Healing, and also run my own cultural practice. Both are expressions of my commitment to helping our people reconnect to spirit, strength, and self. I’m especially passionate about supporting women, families, and those walking through grief and loss.
To me, narrative therapy isn’t just a technique – it’s a cultural way of listening, remembering, and straightening yarns. And that’s what we do at Wakai Waian: we straighten yarns so our people can stand tall in their own story.