Change doesn’t begin with systems, it begins with stories.
Keely Walsh is an Accredited Clinical Social Worker, trauma specialist, and keynote speaker with a passion for transforming pain into purpose. With a Master of Advanced Social Work and as a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne, Keely brings academic depth and clinical excellence to her work. She is also a graduate of Harvard Medical School’s Global Mental Health: Trauma Recovery program as well as their Stronger Together: Dissociative Identity Disorder, Past, Present and Future program.
Keely draws on over 15 years of professional experience in mental health, disability, and trauma-informed care, along with her own lived experience of childhood adversity and sexual violence. Identifying as a proud Palawa woman, Keely’s work is shaped by an intergenerational understanding of trauma, resilience, and cultural identity. Her approach is grounded in eco-feminist psychology, anti-oppressive practice, and post-traumatic growth.
As a speaker and practitioner, Keely combines evidence-based methods with deep compassion, offering insights that resonate across sectors. Her work centers around supporting vulnerable and marginalized communities—particularly women and people with disabilities affected by sexual violence—and advocating for justice, healing, and social change.
She is also a mother of identical triplet girls, which brings yet another layer of lived experience, empathy, and strength to her professional journey. Keely’s message is clear: when we confront trauma with courage and community, we create the conditions for personal and collective transformation.
Talking Points
Lived Experiences Tell Us a Tale but are We Really Listening?
Lived experiences tell us a story — but are we truly listening?Lived Experiences Tell Us a Tale but are We Really Listening?
Globally, over one billion people are living with the impacts of trauma. For decades, science has worked to understand the deep psychological and emotional toll of mass violence, disasters, and systemic neglect. Each year, millions face mental health challenges, including distress, addiction, and disconnection — with numbers continuing to rise.
To respond effectively, we must view trauma through a multidimensional lens — one that honors both the inner world of individual experience and the outer world of structural and cultural forces. Trauma-informed care invites us to listen deeply, apply evidence-based practices, and support healing with compassion and integrity.
This presentation challenges conventional definitions of mental illness and asks us to shift from pathologizing symptoms to understanding the human story beneath them. It calls for a radically new, human-rights-centered model of care — one that centers empathy, justice, and collective responsibility.
Ideal Audience:
This session is designed for adult audiences across health, human services, education, advocacy, or leadership roles. It is especially suited to open-minded professionals willing to rethink traditional frameworks around mental health and trauma.
Trigger Warning: This presentation discusses sensitive topics including sexual violence, childhood trauma, and systemic oppression. Content may be emotionally activating.
Key Takeaways:
- The Power of the Trauma Story:
Learn how lived experience shapes distress responses, and why honoring these stories is essential to healing.
- A Multidimensional Approach to Trauma:
Understand how trauma impacts individuals across psychological, biological, social, and cultural dimensions — and how to apply global mental health frameworks in practice.
- Trauma-Informed Care as Collective Healing:
Explore how co-facilitating recovery through a trauma-informed, human-rights lens can dismantle systemic oppression and promote lasting well-being.
What is Psychosocial Disability?
Psychosocial disability remains one of the most complex and often misunderstood areas within the broader disability landscape. In Australia, the introduction of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has brought this term into sharper focus, reflecting the lived realities of people experiencing participation restrictions linked to mental health conditions.What is Psychosocial Disability?
Adopted by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the term highlights the intersection between mental illness and disability — yet significant gaps, contradictions, and social constructions continue to shape how this population is perceived and supported. Individuals with psychosocial disabilities frequently endure marginalisation, stigma, and discrimination.
This presentation offers a critical social work lens to unpack these challenges, equipping health and disability professionals with specialist knowledge and practical tools. The goal is to foster ethical advocacy and social change that addresses systemic barriers and champions the rights and dignity of people with psychosocial disabilities.
Intended Audience:
This session is designed for health professionals, support workers, and practitioners in the medical, mental health, and disability sectors who seek a deeper understanding of psychosocial disability through a social justice framework.
Key Takeaways:
- Conceptualising Psychosocial Disability: Gain a critical understanding that challenges stigma and dismantles discriminatory narratives.
- Ethical Advocacy for Social Change:
Learn practical, ethical strategies to support and advocate for people with psychosocial disabilities.
- Addressing Barriers and Unmet Needs:
Explore how embracing the complexities of the human condition can guide more inclusive and effective support.
The Joys and Challenges of Raising Multiples
Raising multiples—especially triplets—is a unique and rewarding experience filled with both extraordinary joys and significant challenges. This presentation offers a candid and heartfelt look into the day-to-day realities of parenting triplets, exploring practical strategies for managing the physical, emotional, and logistical demands of multiple children at once.The Joys and Challenges of Raising Multiples
From balancing individual needs and fostering sibling bonds to navigating self-care and community support, this talk sheds light on how parenting multiples can shape identity, resilience, and family dynamics. It also highlights the importance of mental health, partnership, and creative problem-solving in thriving as a multiple-mum.
Whether you are a parent, caregiver, educator, or support person, this session provides inspiration, encouragement, and actionable insights into the powerful journey of raising multiples.
Intended Audience:
This presentation is ideal for parents and caregivers of multiples, family members, early childhood educators, health professionals, and anyone interested in learning about the unique experiences and needs of families with twins, triplets, or more.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding the Unique Challenges of Multiples Parenting:
Gain insight into the logistical, emotional, and social complexities of raising multiples.
- Practical Strategies for Managing Daily Life:
Learn time-management tips, support networks, and self-care practices tailored for families of multiples.
- Nurturing Individuality and Family Connection:
Discover ways to balance the needs of each child while fostering strong sibling relationships and family cohesion.
Igniting Change
Social justice is more than a concept—it’s a call to action rooted in equity, human rights, and the collective responsibility to create a fairer world. This presentation explores the powerful connection between motivation and social change, revealing how individuals and communities can transform passion into impactful action.Igniting Change
Through a blend of theory, real-world examples, and practical strategies, participants will gain insights into the drivers of social justice movements, the psychology of motivation, and the tools needed to sustain meaningful activism. This session challenges participants to reflect on their own roles in advocating for equity and inspires them to become catalysts for positive change in their communities and beyond.
Intended Audience:
This presentation is designed for activists, community leaders, educators, social workers, students, and anyone passionate about social justice and eager to learn how to translate motivation into effective social change.
Key Takeaways:
- Understanding Social Justice:
Develop a clear grasp of social justice principles and the systemic issues that require urgent attention.
- The Role of Motivation in Change:
Explore how intrinsic and extrinsic motivators drive individuals and groups to take action.
- Strategies for Sustained Social Change:
Learn practical approaches to maintain momentum, build coalitions, and create lasting impact.
Keely received positive feedback from our audience and provided insight into real-world issues. ... keep reading LGPro Women's Network
Latest News
Neale Daniher: A Legacy That Will Outlast The Beast
Three Stories, One Expert: What Dr Zac Seidler's Week in the Media Tells Us About Men Right Now
How to Measure Event ROI: Why 72% of the Industry Says Outcome Measurement Is Now Essential
