Symposium 2009 DVD

Substance Misuse and Parenting:
Time to Integrate Evidence with Practice

Northside Conference Centre, Oxley Street, Crows Nest Monday, 23rd October, 2009

BASED IN Sydney, New South Wales, Tresillian is synonymous with providing professional advice, counselling and education to families with young children. Educating our colleagues in child and family health is also a key part of Tresillian’s role and this year’s Symposium focuses on substance misuse and parenting - an area that even the most skilled clinician can find challenging.

The Presenters

Professor Sharon Dawe

Sharon is a Professor in Clinical Psychology at Griffith University, Brisbane. She has been working as a researcher and clinician in the field of substance misuse and mental health for over 20 years at the Institute of Psychiatry, University of London (UK), National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, University of NSW and now Griffith University, Brisbane on a range of clinical interventions for heroin, alcohol and other substance misuse. Her most recent work involves the development and evaluation of the Parents Under Pressure (PUP) program in collaboration with Paul H Harnett (University of Queensland).

Dr Stefan Gruenert

Stefan is the father of two boys and a psychologist who has worked in the drug and alcohol sector for eight years. He is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Odyssey House Victoria and has been actively involved in promoting change to better address the needs of children affected by problematic parental substance use. In the past, Stefan has worked as a Senior Counsellor and has conducted extensive research on alcohol use. Stefan has taught courses in counselling, statistics, drug and alcohol, family work, and personality disorders and has presented papers at several major conferences. He is currently an executive member of the Family Alcohol and Other Drug Network.

Who can benefit from this Symposium?

The Symposium will be of particular interest to professionals working with families including child and family health nurses, drug and alcohol workers, mental health professionals and professionals working in the area of child protection.

In the rapidly changing environment of child and family health, we are excited to bring you a one day Symposium on Substance Misuse and Parenting: Time to Integrate Evidence with Practice on strategies for working with families facing drug and alcohol issues. Led by leaders in their field, Professor Sharon Dawe and Dr Stefan Gruenert, this Symposium, will be packed with discussions that are sure to inspire and encourage health professionals working with families. We look forward to welcoming you to our 2009 Tresillian Symposium.

Objectives of the Symposium:

• Raise awareness that drug use is but one of many problems in at-risk families with young children.
• Highlight interventions, opportunities and issues for workers.
• Discuss evidence of what works (both scientific literature and promising practice-based examples)
• Outline principles of good practice
• Discuss case examples and strategies within your own setting