For clinicians

We have a developed a range of training programs and resources for clinicians and health professionals:

• National Comorbidity Guidelines
• COPE program
• Cracks in the Ice for health professionals
• Preventure training for clinicians and youth workers
• Primary Health Network webinars.

National Comorbidity Guidelines

COPE program

Concurrent treatment of PTSD and substance use disorders using prolonged exposure (COPE): a treatment manual.

Based on a study conducted by our researchers we've developed the Concurrent Treatment of PTSD and Substance Use Disorders Using Prolonged Exposure (COPE) Program.

This is a cognitive-behavioural psychotherapy program designed for patients who have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a co-occurring alcohol or drug use disorder. The therapist guide (for clinicians) and patient workbook are available to order online.

Researchers at the Matilda Centre are currently recruiting adolescents and young adults for a radomised controlled trial, COPE-A. We are comparing the efficiency of two psychological therapies for co-occurring substance use and traumatic stress among young people aged 12-21 years. Young people who have experienced or witnessed a traumatic event may be eligible for up to 16 sessions with a psychologist as part of the study.

Cracks in the Ice for health professionals

The Cracks in the Ice online community toolkit has a dedicated section for health professionals to help guide professionals in their practice when faced with issues related to ice (crystal methamphetamine) and provides access to a range of factsheets, guidelines, webinars and online resources for professionals working across a range of sectors, including:

• General Practitioners
• Frontline workers in hospital settings and emergency departments
• Frontline workers in alcohol and other drug settings
• Mental health practitioners (eg psychologists, social workers and counsellors)
• Paramedics
• Police Services

Explore the resources at Cracks in the Ice.

Preventure training for clinicians and youth workers

Our Preventure facilitator training workshops enable you to implement the Preventure program in your local area.

• Length: 2-3 days training workshop plus 4 hours supervised practice
• Suitable for: Mental health practitioners and youth workers
• Outcomes: Upon completion of training and supervision requirements you will be able to run Preventure in your local area

Preventure is an intervention aimed at reducing adolescent drug and alcohol use in high-risk teenagers. Teens with high-risk personality profiles as identified by a screening questionnaire are invited to participate in two 90-minute group workshops. The Preventure program has proven both feasible and effective when delivered by trained school staff and clinicians and we are currently expanding our facilitator training to youth workers. Program materials were developed in Canada by Professor Patricia Conrod but have been culturally adapted for implementation in Australia.

For more information and to register for upcoming workshops in Australia please contact Dr Erin Kelly at erin.k@sydney.edu.au.

Primary Health Network webinars

Researchers at the Matilda Centre have been funded by PHNs from Sydney North (SNHN) and Central and Eastern Sydney (CESPHN) to develop and deliver a series of webinars on alcohol and other drugs.

You can find recordings and PDF handouts from our previous webinars below. For more information about the PHN webinar series contact us.