Please take note of the training package and dates.
The workshop is suitable for those in a supervisory or line management role with previous training in MI. This workshop is not an introduction to MI. It is important that all participants have prior training in MI.
Training package:
- 2-day in-person workshop
- a series of 6 x 90-minute coaching sessions for a year after the workshop
| 2-day workshop (in-person) at |
| Tuesday 21 July 2026 |
9:30am-4:30pm |
| Wednesday 22 July 2026 |
9:30am-4:30pm |
| Six 90-minute supervisors’ coaching sessions (online) |
| Monday 24 August 2026 |
2:00-3:30pm |
| Monday 28 September 2026 |
2:00-3:30pm |
| Monday 30 November 2026 |
2:00-3:30pm |
| Monday 15 February 2027 |
2:00-3:30pm |
| Monday 12 April 2027 |
2:00-3:30pm |
| Monday 21 June 2027 |
2:00-3:30pm |
Location for in-person workshops: Catholic Leadership Centre, 576 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002 (are you eligible for our travel contribution?)
Cost: $80 + booking fees
Description
When we move into supervision roles, we often find ourselves having change conversations – only this time with staff rather than clients, and often in a context of line management or other accountability tasks.
This 2-day workshop examines how MI can be helpful in the context of providing professional supervision, while respecting that there are other skills and functions of a supervisory role. The workshop also offers practical strategies to support and coach supervisees to learn MI skills for use in their own practice, even if we feel we are still working on our own MI skills.
The training is highly interactive, with a focus on practical skill development. The two-day workshop will offer an opportunity to:
- Review experiences and progress in integrating MI into one’s own practice
- Review challenges and experiences in coaching others in MI
- Identify the core learning tasks in MI and incorporate a progressive skill development approach to learning MI
- Examine the MI framework from the perspective of the supervisor
- Develop strategies for using MI approaches within the supervision context
- Develop strategies to coach MI self-monitoring and skill development in supervisees
- Introduction to MI coding as a tool for supervisors
- Provide feedback in an MI consistent manner.
Participants will be invited to join a series of 90 min coaching sessions to troubleshoot and deepen the content from the MI for Supervisors. Being a supervisor can feel isolating – no one else holds a similar role in an organisation, even if there are similar positions or other departments. This workshop aims to help supervisors build their network and support systems with colleagues in similar roles. The sessions will provide an opportunity to reflect, address key challenges, and build capacity across the AOD sector.
Eligibility Criteria
This training is open to people working in AOD-specific roles in publicly funded services (i.e. AOD, mental health locals).
Who is not eligible?
Students on placement or internships, workers outside of Victoria, and workers not in an AOD-specific role.
Terms & Conditions
Refunds are available up to 7 days before the event.
Details:
Date: Tuesday, 16 June 2026, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Location: Catholic Leadership Centre, 576 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002
Cost: $40
Description
Prerequisite: The workshop is suitable for workers who have completed MI Foundation Skills AND Developing Skills (or equivalent) and now want to deepen and integrate MI skills more effectively into their practice.
Deepening Conversations builds on the Foundation Skills and Developing Skills workshops to build confidence in guiding curious, respectful conversations about change. This workshop is highly practice-based, applying the principles and core skills to common challenges to work with resistance and ambivalence, evoke change talk and foster hope.
Eligibility Criteria
This training is open to people working in AOD-specific roles in publicly funded services (i.e. AOD, mental health locals).
Who is not eligible?
Students on placement or internships, workers outside of Victoria, workers not in an AOD-specific role.
Terms & Conditions
Refunds available up to 7 days prior.
Details:
Date: Thursday, 20 August 2026, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Location: Catholic Leadership Centre, 576 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002
Cost: $40
Description
As a follow-up to the MI Foundation Skills workshop, this one-day course offers an opportunity to refresh, consolidate, and deepen your understanding of MI and its practical application of the model after a period of putting the skills into practice.
This workshop gives participants an opportunity to practice core skills in a positive learning environment with coached feedback. The aim is to have fun revisiting the skills and gain more focus in their ongoing practice. The workshop builds on foundation skills training, including deepening reflections, exploring the role of values and working with change talk.
The workshop is suitable for workers who have prior training in MI (or completed the MI Foundation Skills training).
Eligibility Criteria
This training is open to people working in AOD-specific roles in publicly funded services (i.e. AOD, mental health locals).
Who is not eligible?
Students on placement or internships, workers outside of Victoria, workers not in an AOD-specific role.
Terms & Conditions
Refunds available up to 7 days prior.
Date: Wednesday 15 July 2026, 9:00AM – 4:00PM
Location: In-person
Cost: $40 + booking fee
Description
This is a full day workshop with Jen Thompson, a psychotherapist and trainer passionate about creating welcoming, hopeful, and trauma informed service systems.
Trauma Responsive Practice is foundational training for AOD and Mental Health workers that builds on the Introduction to Trauma Informed Care e-learning.
This workshop will explore the following concepts and will bring them to life with experiential exercises and discussion:
- Creating safety and the felt experience of safety
- Understanding trauma in the context of substance use
- Bringing body awareness into our work
- Understanding trauma informed care principles and applying to our work
- Understanding Polyvagal Theory
- The Zone of fabulousness
- Collective Care and Solidarity Teams
Eligibility Criteria
This training has been funded for workers employed in a Victorian State-funded Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) and Mental Health service only.
Who is not eligible?
Students on placement or internships and AOD/MH workers outside of Victoria.
Terms & Conditions
Refunds avaialble up to 7 days before the event.
Date: Thursday, 26 March 2026, 9:30AM – 3:00PM
Location: Catholic Leadership Centre – 576 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, VIC 3067 (Read more about Travel Contribution)
Cost: $40 (tickets can only be purchased via credit card)
Description
VACCHOs Introduction to Aboriginal Cultural Safety training encompasses, and builds on, cultural awareness content by providing considerations and advice to implement cultural safety considerations into practice. Participant learning and understanding are enhanced by the personal stories and the lived experience of our facilitators while exploring Aboriginal identities, cultures, and history.
The session covers:
- Understanding cultural safety and its importance in increasing service accessibility and effective engagement with Australia’s First Peoples.
- The historical and ongoing impacts of colonisation and colonial policies on Australia’s First
- Peoples culture and Communities
- Trauma-informed practice
- First Peoples diverse identities; respectful terminology and language
- Cultural Load and its impacts on individuals, Communities, and organisations
- How Equity and Self-determination are vital to cultural safety
- Foundational skills to implement cultural safety into practice
- Fostering respectful relationships with First Peoples and Communities
- A timeline of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Strength and Resilience
Eligibility Criteria
This training is open to people working in AOD-specific roles in publicly funded services (i.e. AOD, mental health locals).
Who is not eligible?
Students on placement or internships, workers outside of Victoria, workers not in an AOD-specific role.
Terms & Conditions
Refunds are available up to 7 days prior to the event.
Dates:
Day one: Wednesday, 16 September 2026, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Day two: Thursday, 17 September 2026, 9:30 – 4:30 PM
Location: Catholic Leadership Centre, 576 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne VIC 3002 (are you eligible for our travel contribution?)
Description
Motivational Interviewing is a skills-based approach to conversations about change that focuses on the client’s needs and wants. MI offers a framework for navigating the common experiences of resistance and ambivalence that so often accompanies the change process.
This two-day workshop introduces the framework and rationale of MI, core skills and application of these skills across the change process. Combining theory with practice, the workshop provides a comprehensive overview into what MI is, what it isn’t and how it works in practice. The training is highly interactive, with a focus on practical skill development.
The workshop is suitable for both workers with no knowledge of MI and for those who want to refresh and deepen their understanding and practice of the core skills of MI.
Eligibility Criteria
This training is open to people working in AOD-specific roles in publicly funded services (i.e. AOD, mental health locals).
Who is not eligible?
Students on placement or internships, workers outside of Victoria, workers not in an AOD-specific role.
Terms & Conditions
Refunds are available up to 7 days prior.
Dates:
Day one: Thursday, 11 June 2026, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Day two: Thursday, 18 June 2026, 9:30 – 4:30 PM
Location: La Trobe University, City Campus – 360 Collins Street, VIC 3000 (are you eligible for our travel contribution?)
Cost: $80
Description
Motivational Interviewing is a skills-based approach to conversations about change that focuses on the client’s needs and wants. MI offers a framework for navigating the common experiences of resistance and ambivalence that so often accompanies the change process.
This two-day workshop introduces the framework and rationale of MI, core skills and application of these skills across the change process. Combining theory with practice, the workshop provides a comprehensive overview into what MI is, what it isn’t and how it works in practice. The training is highly interactive, with a focus on practical skill development.
The workshop is suitable for both workers with no knowledge of MI and for those who want to refresh and deepen their understanding and practice of the core skills of MI.
Eligibility Criteria
This training is open to people working in AOD-specific roles in publicly funded services (i.e. AOD, mental health locals).
Who is not eligible?
Students on placement or internships, workers outside of Victoria, workers not in an AOD-specific role.
Terms & Conditions
Refunds are available up to 7 days prior.
Introduction to Motivational Interviewing for AOD workers, presented by Lauren Zelunka, Senior Education & Training Officer, Turning Point.
Curious about Motivational Interviewing (MI) or looking to build your confidence in having conversations about change? This practical, hands-on workshop is designed especially for those working in Department of Health funded AOD positions who want to learn (or re-learn) how MI can make everyday client interactions more effective and meaningful.
NOTE: This workshop is only available to staff who are working in a Victorian Department of Health (DH) funded AOD organisation.
Date: 2 Day Workshop – Monday 24th & Tuesday 25th November ’25
Time: 9:30am to 4:30pm
Location: Turning Point, 110 Church St, Richmond 3121, Level 1, Training Room Two
Cost: Free
Register: here
Enquiries: tp@turningpoint.org.au
Motivational Interviewing is a simple yet powerful approach that helps people find their own reasons for making positive changes — without pressure or persuasion. It’s about working with clients, not on them, and creating space for open, respectful conversations about change.
Across two days, you’ll have the chance to:
- Learn what MI is and how it supports real-world AOD work
- Experience the “spirit” of MI — collaboration, acceptance, and compassion
- Practice using questions, reflections, and summaries to keep conversations flowing
- Explore ways to respond when clients feel unsure or stuck
- Build skills you can take straight back into your day-to-day work
Lauren Zelunka has over 10 years of experience in the Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) sector, with the past five years focused primarily on AOD education and training. She is passionate about equipping professionals with the skills and confidence to use Motivational Interviewing effectively in their work. Lauren is currently involved with the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers Oceania (MINTO) as a Friend of MINTO and is working toward becoming a registered member in the coming years.
Who should attend? Victorian Department Health funded AOD workers new to their role and/or those looking to refresh and update existing knowledge. This online training is only available to staff who are working in a Victorian Department of Health (DH) funded AOD organisation in an AOD role.
Register: here
This is a 1-day in person training.
Description: Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) has evolved over the years and is a most favourably reviewed treatment approach. There is much evidence for the effectiveness of CBT with a range of Alcohol and Other Drugs issues. In recent years CBT has expanded its focus to include third wave approaches. These approaches seek to blend traditional CBT principles with concepts new to cognitive-behavioural therapies such as mindfulness and acceptance.
In this introductory workshop you will build your capacity in applying evidence-based interventions that work on the underlying processes that support behavioral change. You will discover how, when and why to apply a best practice cognitive, behavioral or emotion focused approach.
This workshop will introduce you to a range of models, techniques and interventions to help your clients to change negative thought patterns, develop coping strategies, and improve emotional wellbeing. It will be a practical and interactive workshop where you will be introduced to a range of tools, worksheets and relapse prevention strategies that you can use collaboratively with your client to implement.
Date: Thursday, 2nd October 2025
Time: 10:00pM – 4:00PM
Location: Turning Point, 110 Church Street, Richmond, VIC 3121
Cost: Free
Who should attend: AOD clinicians, counsellors, support workers and allied health working in a Victorian Department of Health funded AOD organisation.
Registration: Click here to register
This is a 1-day in person training.
Description: Working with cognitively impaired clients can be a significant challenge, particularly when access to assessment services and resources are limited. Cognitive difficulties may arise from a range of aetiologies including acquired brain injury, mental health, substance use, or neurodevelopmental differences and together, this can have a cumulative and adverse impact on treatment outcomes and recovery. This workshop will provide practical strategies for working with clients who present with or have concerns regarding cognitive difficulties. In particular, this workshop will cover four main themes:
- Recognising cognitive impairment
- Underlying aetiologies across the lifespan
- Supporting clients with cognitive impairment
- Referral pathways: When might assessment be indicated?
Date: Friday, 28th November 2025
Time: 9:30pM – 4:30PM
Location: Turning Point, 110 Church Street, Richmond, VIC 3121
Cost: Free
Who should attend: AOD clinicians, counsellors, support workers and allied health working in a Victorian Department of Health funded AOD organisation.
Registration: Click here to register
