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For clinicians
Training, resources and webinars for clinicians
National evidence-based guidelines, online resources and evidence-based training to support and upskill healthcare professionals.
We have a developed a range of training programs and resources for clinicians and health professionals:
Visit comorbidityguidelines.org.au to access the online guidelines, training and other resources.
The guidelines on the management of co-occurring alcohol and other drug and mental conditions in alcohol and other drug treatment settings (2nd edition) are available in the following formats:
The Comorbidity Guidelines online training program has been developed to assist alcohol and other drug (AOD) workers working with clients with co-occurring mental health conditions in AOD treatment settings.
- Cost: FREE
- Length: 10 training modules that can be completed at your own pace in any order
- Suitable for: There are no prerequisites to enrol in the training program; however, it is assumed that participants will have an understanding of AOD use.
- Outcomes:
- Increased knowledge and awareness of mental health conditions
- Improved confidence in working with clients with comorbid mental health conditions
- Improved ability to identify mental health conditions
- Improved ability to recognise and respond to physical health comorbidities
- Understand delivery of a coordinated care approach to clients with comorbid mental health conditions
- Understand management and treatment of comorbid mental health conditions
- Improved ability to manage their own self-care.
Further information and access to training modules is available via the Comorbidity Guidelines website.
A train-the-trainer workshop and face-to-face training program are currently in development, and will be available in 2020.
Participants of the train-the-trainer workshop (date to be announced) will be approved to deliver the Comorbidity Guidelines face-to-face training program and provide evidence-based training for alcohol and other drug workers, which will improve their capacity to manage co-occurring mental disorders.
Existing applicants:
While our inaugural train-the-trainer workshop will be limited to 40 people, and we have registered expressions of interest from those who applied earlier in the year, due to COVID-19, the train-the-trainer workshop has been postponed. The health of our participants is our priority, and we will continue to closely monitor the situation. As soon as we are able to confirm a new date, registrations will reopen for a short period of time and all applicants will be contacted to reconfirm availability. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience caused by this disruption, and are looking forward to our first train-the-trainer workshop.
Queries and new applications:
If you would like to be notified when registrations reopen, or have any questions, contact us at training@comorbidityguidelines.org.au.
To apply prior to a new date being announced, download our online application form (pdf, 204KB) and email the completed form to training@comorbidityguidelines.org.au.
Comorbidity Guidelines has additional resources to help clinicians, including:
- Client worksheets
- Screeners
- Assessments
- Cognitive behavioural techniques
- Anxiety management techniques
- Referral pro-forma
- Links to useful resources, guidelines, research and information organisations
Visit the Comorbidity Guidelines website to access these resources.
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.
Access the Primary Health Network webinar series playlist on YouTube
You can find recordings and PDF handouts from our previous webinars below. For more information about the PHN webinar series contact us.
Webinar 12, recorded 26 February 2020
Webinar 11, recorded 27 november 2019
Webinar 10, recorded 11 September 2019
Webinar 9, recorded 10 July 2019
Webinar 8, recorded 28 May 2019
Webinar 7, recorded 3 April 2019
Webinar 6, recorded 12 February 2019
Webinar 5, recorded 4 December 2018
Webinar 4, recorded 5 December 2017
Webinar 3, recorded 21 November 2017
Webinar 2, recorded 7 November 2017
