Ancient healing to deal with modern traumas

AN INDIGENOUS man is travelling around remote communities in the Northern Territory on a mission to help men deal with trauma using ancient healing methods.

Lukas Williams will take his therapy sessions to remote NT communities

AN INDIGENOUS man is travelling around remote communities in the Northern Territory on a mission to help men deal with trauma using ancient healing methods.

Lukas Williams is currently in Alice Springs and he will be running Gan’na workshops which involve traditional Indigenous methods, with a focus on creating a safe place to speak.

Mr Williams developed the program after he dealt with his own issues and realised men need a safe place to speak.

“I have traditional healing circles which has a group of men and it kicks off with an introduction of who we are and we create safety and comfort to talk freely,” Mr Williams said.

“The healing deals with trauma and indirectly addresses other issues… it helps them be who they want to be and encourages them help their family and be better men.

“We talk about things that happened in our lives including violence – and when we confront that it usually traces back to trauma including from childhood.

For some of these men it is their first time they are telling people about serious issues in their lives.

Gan’na has been practised for thousands of years and is based around the idea of ‘deep listening’ and contemplation.

Mr Williams felt his life direction improve after he dealt with his own demons through traditional healing.

“I’ve been in jail before and I’ve previously had issues with violence and drugs so I’m happy to go out and help other men,” he said.

Indigenous Professor Judy Atkinson who specialises in intergenerational trauma said traditional healing provides an important alternative to mainstream therapy.

“Some people might question why we are going back to old and ancient practices and it is because we know they work – and I can only speak for myself,” Prof Atkinson said.