NT Social Workers in Private Practice 5 Jun 25

The research explores how creative arts and music can support the social and emotional wellbeing for people living with cognitive decline, including dementia and their families. This study prioritizes a culturally responsive, community-driven approach, integrating Indigenous knowledge systems with creative arts-based methodologies. The session will highlight key progress, preliminary findings, and insights from participants, as well as future directions for embedding these strategies into dementia care practice.

This presentation will share the progress of The Co-design of a Creative Arts and Music Strategy to Enhance Wellbeing for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People with Dementia. An innovative research project aimed at exploring how music and creative arts can enhance the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people experiencing cognitive decline. Recognizing that existing resources for dementia care are often not culturally appropriate. This study invites participants with lived experience—including individuals with dementia, family members, and key community representatives—to co-design a care strategy that reflects their cultural values and priorities.

The research uses arts-based yarning workshops to explore the seven domains of social and emotional wellbeing, creating a safe space for participants to share their experiences and co-develop strategies that honour connection to self, family, community, land, and ancestors. This session will present emerging themes, key challenges, and opportunities for embedding creative arts and music strategies into the care routines for individuals living with dementia. The discussion will also explore how Social Workers and health professionals can integrate these approaches into their practice to promote holistic, trauma-informed, and culturally safe dementia care.

When: 5 June 2025

Time: 5.00 pm - 6.30 pm (ACST)

Venue: Online via Zoom (link will be sent to registered attendees the day of the meeting)

Gucki Reissenberger is a Lecturer in Creative Therapies at Charles Darwin University and a PhD Fellow at The University of Melbourne. She holds a Master in Music Therapy, Masters in Social Work and postgraduate qualifications in Psychology and Education, alongside an undergraduate degree in Music. With over 20 years of experience as a Registered Music Therapist, Social Worker, and Dementia Consultant, Gucki has worked extensively in remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities; integrating creative arts and music into dementia care and trauma-informed practice. Her research focuses on co-designing culturally responsive care strategies that incorporate traditional healing practices alongside Western therapeutic approaches. She is currently leading a study on the Co-design of a Creative Arts and Music Strategy to Enhance the Wellbeing needs for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People with Dementia, which explores the use of music, art, and storytelling in supporting social and emotional wellbeing. Her broader research interests include improving caregiver training, addressing systemic barriers to culturally safe dementia care, and developing non-pharmacological strategies for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.

Gucki Reissenberger has contributed to various national and international projects within dementia care, trauma recovery, and creative therapies, and continues to advocate for strength-based, community-led approaches to health and wellbeing.