TLSWa (Australia)
The story of TLSWa
Therapeutic Life Story Work Australia or TLSWa is the affiliate membership group to support best practice and the fidelity of the Rose Model of TLSW™ (2012).
TLSW™ is a trademarked and licensed model of therapeutic practice to support children, young people and their carers, as well as adults engage in safely thinking and making meaning of their lived experiences through story telling. From its beginnings in 1997, this approach has been introduced to many countries across the world, but at the leading edge, Australia’s has taken the model forward to be an intervention of choice.
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Professor Richard Rose first brought TLSW™ to Australia in 2008 with a visit to Evolve Therapeutic Services and Townsville regional PACT team in QLD. The Australian Childhood Foundation then provided a state wide tour and in 2010 Berry Street began to support his work across Australia and New Zealand. Over the following years TLSW began to flourish in Victoria and New South Wales in particular.
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In 2015 Richard and current TLSWa Chair Elise Saunders discussed establishing TLSWa as a means to centralise a community of practice for qualified practitioners to both hold the fidelity of the work, and advocate for TLSW™ work throughout Australia.
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In 2018 the first TLSWa committee was formed by practitioners from across Australia. We now have several hundred practitioners qualified to deliver TLSW, as well as several hundred qualified in the Advanced Certificate and community of practice groups across South Australia, Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, Western Australia, and Victoria. TLSWa also provides support and leadership within the wider Australasian and Pasifika regions.
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Richard Rose with the TLSWa Commitee at his farewell to Australia event in Naarm/Melbourne June 2025.
​​As TLSW continues to grow, in both practice and research, planning began for Richards exit from the Australian space. He will be leaving our shores as a much-loved visitor and trainer in May 2025. We are so grateful for his years of training, support and guidance in person and look forward to his continual leadership within the TLSW™ International space moving forward.
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“There comes a time where the old makes way for the new, and in this instance, the quality and commitment to the model is clear and in safe hands. Although I am moving from the Australia space, I am content and confident that there is nothing left for me to do. Elise and all my friends will carry the practice forward – it’s your turn now!” - Richard
​“With change brings chances for reflection, growth and new opportunities. I look forward to steering TLSWa in the future alongside my fellow committee members” - Elise
Supporting the TLSW community
TLSWa provides access to practice support, supervision, communities of practice, state practice groups, forums, events, resources, and networking opportunities in Australia and Internationally. ​
TLSWa manages membership of Australian and New Zealand members of TLSWi, the international community of TLSW practitioners and students. It is open to TLSW diploma and Certificate qualified practitioners and current students. ​
There is also a community membership option available to allow other professionals and community members to join with access to community forums, training discounts and resource sharing. ​
For those looking for practitioners, TLSWa will provide assurance that the therapeutic life story worker you connect with, has been trained and supported to learn a model founded on evidence based research and has integrity you can count on.
There is a TLSWa Representative Committee from all over Australia that meets regularly ensuring advocacy, cultural awareness and diversity across our practice.
We are currently compiling a list of TLSW qualified practitioner to do TLSW with across Australia.
We will update this as soon as we can.
TLSW professional diploma has been delivered across Australia since 2015 and the advanced certificate since 2022. A TLSW practitioner receives the title of certified practitioner upon successfully demonstrating competence and at the completion of their diploma.
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To practice TLSW™, you are encouraged to be a certified practitioner and hold a current TLSWa membership.
Membership benefits
Our membership offers a range of benefits including access to exclusive events, networking opportunities, educational resources, and industry insights. We are dedicated to empowering our members and fostering a strong community of TLSW professionals across Australia and New Zealand.​
Become a part of our growing community and experience the numerous benefits of TLSWa membership. Join us today to access a wealth of resources, connect with industry peers, and enhance your professional journey with TLSWa.
