Description

Therapeutic Activities to Guide Change II

The purpose of He Puna Whakaata is to contribute to positive outcomes for Māori. This resource describes activities that access some aspects of mātauranga Māori to be utilised in spaces where Māori seek support
and healing, including; the primary health sector, whānau ora, addiction and mental health sectors and any other healing space.
Practitioners who will read and use this resource should already take an integrated approach to health and wellbeing and have more than a basic understanding of the principles and workings of a number of different therapeutic techniques and models of practice.
This resource reflects some aspects of Andre McLachlan’s work with pakeke and taiohi. He Puna Whakaata contains therapeutic activities aligned with Māori preferences and models of practice and wellbeing. Potentially it is a vehicle to introduce mātauranga Māori in the day-to-day practice of those in the addiction and mental health sectors. He Puna Whakaata is not a beginners guide to working with whānau or utilising motivational approaches.
The therapeutic activities described in He Puna Whakaata are discrete activities; each with its own focus, however there is a logical flow between them. Most can be undertaken with individuals as well as with groups, with taiohi and pakeke and can be part of a brief intervention following screening and feedback (see Matua Raki, 2012 and Werry Centre, 2013) and or engaged over a longer period as part of a broader therapeutic plan. Competent practitioners will be able to adapt the tools and principles in this resource to fit their needs and context. The five interventions are:

• Whai Tikanga Cards,
• Te Whare Tapa Whā modelling,
• Whai Tikanga Pleasant Event Scheduling,
• Decisional Balance and
• Korurangi.

The Whai Tikanga card activity focuses on what is important to whānau. The next activity places these important matters in relation to wellbeing using a Te Whare Tapa Whā framework. The Whai Tikanga Pleasant Events Scheduling activity guides whānau in re-engaging with or engaging for the first time in enjoyable and challenging activities that strengthen wellbeing, addresses lifestyle imbalance and provides alternatives to substance use and other high risk behaviours. The Decisional Balance activity helps whānau further explore their substance use and grow discrepancies1 between current and desired lifestyle and values as well as generating some sense of hope or aspiration for whānau. Use of the Korurangi can help identify and understand relationships, potential supports and or influences that may enhance or hinder
wellbeing. These activities on their own or as part of a broader therapeutic plan can help goals be negotiated towards a wellness plan or help achieve goals identified in any intervention plan. He Puna Whakaata includes considerations for such a plan as well as a template.