In 1978, John Keating, a recovering Alcoholic, was awarded a Churchill Fellowship to enable him to study the latest methods for the treatment of dependency in the US.

John had struggled with alcoholism for many years and had lost his own family as a result. He felt that there must be a way to help other families.

He returned with what was then, a revolutionary concept, ‘The Family Systems Theory’.   This theory suggested that every family member is part of a system and that no one operates as an individual. The emphasis is on system, with each person in the family fulfilling a role.

The concept of a Caretaker was particularly significant, the belief that one central person becomes a caretaker/pain absorber, thus allowing, or even assisting the family dysfunction to progress.  This role is more commonly known these days as co-dependency.

Elizabeth Walsh worked as one of the Co-ordinators at Holyoake in Perth.  During an extended visit to Bridgetown in 1989, it became obvious to Elizabeth that there was a need for the Holyoake program in that area.  After consultation and with the blessing of John Keating – Executive Director of Holyoake, Holyoake South West was successfully established.   It was short lived, as government funding for alcohol and drug services was cut and as a result, all Holyoake country branches were closed.

However, as the need still existed, Elizabeth requested the continued use of the program, which was granted, provided the name was changed and no longer claimed to be a branch of Holyoake. Thus, a new organisation was incorporated at the building now known as Henri Nouwen House.

The committee wrote to Henri Nouwen himself and asked him for his permission to officially name the house after him because of his works in the community.  He was delighted and honoured.  And thus, Henri Nouwen House came into being

You may be thinking… why Henri Nouwen House!!!!

Henri Nouwen was a priest, a University Professor, author and an inspirational speaker, who turned his own sadness and loneliness into compassion and the care of others

Originally, as the South West branch of Holyoake, programs were offered to assist with drug and alcohol dependencies, as well as educating and supporting their families.  Henri Nouwen House now broadened its curriculum to The Positive Change Program.