Yarn SMART Training
A comprehensive page that showcases Yarn SMART’s methodology, advantages, and distinct value for First Nations communities.
Yarn Our Way, Heal Your Way: Yarn SMART
SMART Recovery supports participants of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community to realise their aspirations, meet their needs and participate fully in society.
The Yarn SMART program has been developed by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members, offering a culturally inclusive framework to support First Nations people seeking help with behaviours of concern.

What is the Yarn SMART program?

Listening to First Nations' Voices
As always this work is reflective of a long history of work done by many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander researchers, facilitators and community members committed to ensuring a culturally safe and inclusive program for Mob. SMART aims to be culturally safe and relevant for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. We have taken the first significant step towards growing our understanding of how SMART Recovery can support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participants.
How the Program is grounded


Deadly Pathways honours and acknowledges the resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who continue to learn, grow, and heal despite the devastating impacts of colonisation. The work is a topographical piece that highlights the lands, waters and skies that have been nurtured by traditional owners for thousands of years. The artwork also features cultural motifs that represent the 4 C’s: Country, Community, Culture, and Connection. The centre of the work highlights a gathering of people who have come together to share stories, knowledge, love, and respect for our people, land, skies, and waterways.
SMART Recovery Australia acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners and Custodians of the land and pays respect to the longest living cultures. We acknowledge the unceded and continuous connection to country, water and community. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and acknowledge community controlled Aboriginal organisations that we work with around the country. We value self determination, we learn by looking back and as we look to the future we center deep listening and collaboration in our work.
Timeline of Yarn SMART
Timeline that showcases the development of the Yarn SMART program since the beginning of the training initiatives provided by SMART Recovery Australia, emphasizing the program's growth and impact.
September 2021
Dr Liz Dale completes PhD - A multi-methods yarn about SMART Recovery: First insights from Australian Aboriginal facilitators and group members, and A Delphi yarn: applying Indigenous knowledges to enhance the cultural utility of SMART Recovery Australia.
April - 2023
Aboriginal Action Group forms.
June - 2023
- Inside Policy works with Aboriginal Action Group to develop Yarn SMART, including facilitator and training handbooks
- Aboriginal Action Group develops First Nations specific training program – Yarn SMART
July - 2023
SMART Recovery receives Commonwealth Government funding to support the development of Yarn SMART.
December - 2023
First Yarn SMART Facilitator training delivered.
February - 2024
First Yarn SMART meeting registered
May -2024
6 Yarn SMART meetings registered
September -2024
6 Yarn SMART meetings registered
November -2024
10 Yarn SMART training groups completed & over 100 individuals trained
Current Yarn SMART Meetings:
18 +
and Counting
What Yarn SMART Training
Participants Say
“I like how this helps connect our people to community, culture, country and connection. Its encourages deep healing and I love narrative therapy so I am very excited to deliver this!”
“Smart training has inspired and empowered me to feel confident in my abilities to support positive change amongst our First Nations peoples! My heart is full! Thank you!”
“We were encouraged to share our stories, and the respectful facilitators set a great example for Yarn SMART meetings. Thanks to them, I’m fully confident in running my own meetings.”