Strengthening Pasifika wellbeing: Healing Centred Care training

In response to key mental health and addiction workforce development needs, Le Va has created Healing Centred Care for Pasifika – a new training designed to equip workers with knowledge and skills in trauma-informed practice, tailored specifically for Pasifika communities.

Le Va successfully delivered the first four training sessions in November and December 2024, with workforce members expressing deep appreciation for the opportunity to upskill in this essential area.

Nicholas Cao, clinical lead for mental health and addiction at Le Va, highlighted the significance of this initiative: “Our Healing Centred Care training integrates well-known evidence-based practice with cultural knowledge and practices that Pasifika have known for generations. Le Va has been at the forefront of this blending and integration since its inception.

“This work is supporting the Pasifika workforce to do what they already do well, and to upskill in priority areas that will benefit both workforce and community.”

Healing Centred Care for Pasifika was developed on the back of workforce development scoping with Pasifika Access & Choice staff across Aotearoa.

This identified that one of the biggest training needs for those working in Pasifika Primary Mental Health and Addiction roles was learning about trauma-informed practice and what this looks like for Pacific people.

Healing Centred Care for Pasifika training group at Le Va’s office in Manukau.

Dr Elizabeth Mati, general manager at Le Va and a clinical psychologist, highlighted the need for a deeper understanding of how Pasifika communities experience and respond to harmful experiences.

“The term ‘trauma’ is a Western concept and often deficit-based,” she said. “While it’s important to acknowledge harm, we must also focus on supporting our people to reach their full potential. There isn’t yet a widely accepted model that truly reflects Pasifika realities and what ‘trauma’ means for us.

“Through talanoa in these trainings, we are exploring and building a shared understanding within the professional community – one that guides how we support healing in a way that aligns with our cultural values and lived experiences.”

Since 2022, Le Va has been dedicated to supporting the Pasifika Access & Choice workforce, ensuring staff are well-equipped to serve their communities. This latest initiative reinforces that commitment, building on the strengths of the workforce while introducing key skills in healing-centred engagement.

As a newly developed foundational level training for people who work with Pasifika who have experienced adversity and ‘trauma’, there has been a wealth of interest from workforce and community about Healing Centred Care for Pasifika.

Feedback from participants highlighted two major takeaways:

• A deeper understanding of adversity in families, environments, and different types of trauma from a Pasifika perspective.
• Greater awareness of what healing-centred engagement looks like in practice for Pasifika communities.

With strong demand for these trainings, Healing Centred Care for Pasifika is set to continue making an impact in 2025.

To learn more about Healing Centred Care for Pasifika and other workforce development opportunities with Le Va, please visit: Workshops & training.

To find out more about wellbeing support for you and your family, visit the Access & Choice website and click on ‘Pacific-led’ to find out more about Pacific Access & Choice services across Aotearoa.