Clarisse Slater Training & Consulting

Clarisse Slater Training & Consulting Aboriginal Consultant & Facilitator Cultural Safety | Therapeutic Practice | Leadership

One of the most important things I’ve learned through my work is that healthy relationships are not relationships withou...
13/06/2026

One of the most important things I’ve learned through my work is that healthy relationships are not relationships without ruptures.

Ruptures happen.
Between parents and children.
Between partners.
Between colleagues.
Between clients and workers.
And sometimes, within ourselves.

For a long time, I thought the goal was to avoid conflict and disconnection altogether. What I’ve come to understand is that the real work is in the repair.

When we’re hurt, threatened or overwhelmed, it’s easy to become defensive, reactive or focused on being understood rather than understanding.

This rupture and repair cycle has helped me slow down, become curious and think differently about what needs to happen after disconnection.

It’s about learning to listen, to be curious, to take responsibility where we need to, with compassion for ourselves and others.

None of us get it right all the time. What matters is our willingness to come back, reconnect and try again. This is what builds safe relationships, homes and workplaces.

Feeling a mix of pride, excitement and a little bit of nervousness sharing this.I’m honoured to have been listed as a co...
11/06/2026

Feeling a mix of pride, excitement and a little bit of nervousness sharing this.

I’m honoured to have been listed as a co-author on a journal article recently published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Family Therapy.

Revisiting Genograms: First Nations Wisdoms explores how to broaden the way we understand family, relationships, and connections by drawing on First Nations knowledges and perspectives.

Twenty years ago, I never would have imagined contributing to a published journal article in the field of Family Therapy.

Most of my career has been spent sitting alongside Aboriginal workers, families and communities, facilitating conversations, supporting healing and creating spaces for reflection and learning. To see some of these ideas and conversations reflected in the family therapy field feels incredibly meaningful.

I’m deeply grateful to The Bouverie Centre - LaTrobe University for the role it has played in my learning journey over many years. As both a student and lecturer, I have been fortunate to learn alongside incredible colleagues, practitioners and mentors who have continually challenged and expanded my thinking.

A huge thank you and congratulations to my colleagues who I have had the honour of working alongside on this article, and to the many Elders, families and communities who continue to teach me every day.

Who holds the responsibility for cultural safety within organisations?Too often, cultural safety becomes something Abori...
06/06/2026

Who holds the responsibility for cultural safety within organisations?

Too often, cultural safety becomes something Aboriginal staff are expected to carry alone.

The educating. The advocating. The emotional labour. The responsibility of challenging systems while still working within them.

Cultural safety cannot sit solely with Aboriginal people. It requires shared responsibility, reflective leadership, accountability and ongoing action across all levels of an organisation.

These conversations are not always comfortable, but they are necessary for meaningful change.

Sometimes the behaviours we find hardest to respond to are the same behaviours that once helped someone survive.Children...
31/05/2026

Sometimes the behaviours we find hardest to respond to are the same behaviours that once helped someone survive.

Children and young people don’t “put their spikes up” for no reason. Often beneath anger, withdrawal, defiance or shutdown is fear, shame, overwhelm or hurt.

When children and young people feel safe, seen and connected, the spikes begin to soften. 🖤

Recently delivered training in Bendigo at the new DJAARA Centre, officially named Larnangurrak, meaning “our place”, in ...
30/05/2026

Recently delivered training in Bendigo at the new DJAARA Centre, officially named Larnangurrak, meaning “our place”, in Dja Dja Wurrung language.

A beautiful hub created by the Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation that centres community, culture, connection and belonging.

It’s important to work respectfully alongside local Aboriginal communities to ensure local voices, experiences and cultural knowledge are prioritised and honoured.

Every community carries its own strengths, history, knowledge and ways of being.

Thank you to DJAARA for the opportunity to learn and work on Dja Dja Wurrung Country 🌿

I actually enjoy working on weekends.Not because of hustle culture or the need to feel “busy”, but because the quietness...
24/05/2026

I actually enjoy working on weekends.

Not because of hustle culture or the need to feel “busy”, but because the quietness gives me space to think more deeply and intentionally about the work I want to create.

A lot of the work behind facilitation happens long before walking into a training room.

Reflecting about people, relationships, safety and the way I hope people feel when they leave my workshops.

The quieter moments are where the meaningful work begins 🌿

For me, safe learning doesn’t happen by accident.It’s created through relationships, trust, respect, deep listening and ...
16/05/2026

For me, safe learning doesn’t happen by accident.

It’s created through relationships, trust, respect, deep listening and the way we hold space for curiosity and honest conversations.

When people feel safe, seen and respected, they are more able to reflect, question, unlearn and grow.

This is where meaningful learning and change can happen 🌿

A beautiful reminder of why I do the work I do 🌿I recently received this feedback from a participant about the importanc...
12/05/2026

A beautiful reminder of why I do the work I do 🌿

I recently received this feedback from a participant about the importance of safe and inclusive learning spaces.

For me, training is never just about delivering content. It’s about creating a space where people feel respected, supported and able to build confidence in their practice.

Grateful to do work that supports people working alongside vulnerable families and communities 👣

Birthday today 🎂 Feeling grateful for another year of growing, backing myself and doing meaningful work. Spent the day t...
11/05/2026

Birthday today 🎂

Feeling grateful for another year of growing, backing myself and doing meaningful work.

Spent the day teaching at the Bouverie Centre on one of my fav (and most complex) topics - Systemic approaches to working with families experiencing family violence.

Followed by cake 🍰😋

Behind every achievement is someone who believed in you first.Today I’m thinking about the women who shaped me, carried ...
10/05/2026

Behind every achievement is someone who believed in you first.

Today I’m thinking about the women who shaped me, carried me, believed in me and helped me become who I am. The many strong women around me who nurture, and protect, often quietly and without recognition.

I’m grateful for my mum and the strength she has shown over years of health and life challenges. For the love she showers onto me and my children.

Today I celebrate my Mum, my babies, and all women walking their own journey of caring for and looking after others. You’re seen and appreciated ❤️

Address

Melbourne, VIC

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Clarisse Slater Training & Consulting posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category