The first Odyssey House opened in New York in 1966 as a residential rehabilitation program for people with a drug or alcohol addiction. The program was founded on the ancient idea of a therapeutic community. Central to Odyssey House’s philosophy is the belief that a new, drug-free lifestyle can be created through self-discovery, behavioural change and new relationships within a supportive environment, based on mutual respect and responsibility. Today, several Odyssey Houses exist throughout the United States, New Zealand and Australia.
Odyssey House Victoria has been a leading provider of alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment, training, and support since its establishment in 1979. True to its origins, Odyssey House Victoria provides long-term, intensive residential treatment for individuals and families (including parents with addictions and their young children) within an 93-bed Therapeutic Community in Lower Plenty. In addition, several other residential and community-based treatment and support services are available to address drug and alcohol problems, along with any associated mental health, vocational, health, relationship and family issues. Having assisted over 20,000 Victorians with long-term AOD problems, and their families, Odyssey House also has a commitment to the prevention of these problems in the broader community through education programs, early intervention, advocacy and policy advice. Odyssey House is a non-government organisation that receives funding from State and Commonwealth Governments, philanthropic grants and public donations. Its programs combine peer support by others in recovery, along with medical and psychological interventions.
The psychologist’s work
Originally emerging from social psychiatry, the Odyssey House approach is to see problematic AOD use as a symptom of underlying issues such as trauma, relationship problems, mental health issues, and difficulties with emotional regulation. Odyssey House psychological interventions incorporate insight-oriented, systemic and cognitive behavioural therapeutic approaches.
Psychologists are employed in some management roles and in community-based programs. They work alongside social and youth workers, nurses, counsellors, family therapists, teachers and peer support workers. They conduct assessments, provide counselling, supervise staff, and assist to incorporate new evidence-based approaches and innovations. Consultant psychologists are also contracted to complete holistic assessments of all residential clients and their children to complement psychiatric and medical assessments, so that any mental health, trauma or developmental issues can be addressed. Psychologists have assisted in incorporating parenting programs into Odyssey House services, as well as newly developed CBT modules to help clients regulate their emotions. The outcomes of all new programs are evaluated in partnership with academics from Melbourne, Deakin, and Swinburne Universities.
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I have now worked at Odyssey House for over 13 years, including the last six as CEO. Initially I undertook a student placement at Odyssey’s Therapeutic Community, assisting with psychological assessments, resident feedback and individual counselling, and later co-facilitating therapy groups. The experience taught me how much positive psychological work could be done outside of the traditional one-to-one counselling sessions. After completing my placement, I was invited back to work as a counsellor and group therapist. I later went on to manage an innovative research and intervention project, one of the first to document the needs and experiences of children with substance dependent parents. As part of this project, my colleagues and I developed a range of home-based child and family interventions and resources to support more family inclusive practices within the AOD sector, and research findings were presented at National and International conferences.
My work as a psychologist in an NGO has been very diverse and personally rewarding. I’m regularly asked to provide advice to government and have had the opportunity to implement clinical governance and quality assurance systems, establish a randomised controlled trial and other research projects, and contribute to several peer-reviewed journal articles. In partnerships with others, we have attracted significant resources for new counselling, child and family, forensic and employment services, in addition to school and sporting club-based prevention and early intervention programs. Through our Registered Training Organisation (the Odyssey Institute), I oversee the delivery of nationally accredited training in AOD and mental health to hundreds of professional students each year. I still take the occasional chance to work directly with clients, and would recommend this work to anyone who enjoys a challenge.
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