360Edge developed and facilitated an evidence based knowledge and skills workshop series in both Alice Springs and Darwin for AADANT. These workshops were designed to build and strengthen core knowledge and skills in motivational interviewing, brief interventions, and enhanced counselling. These interactive workshops used case based discussion throughout to ensure knowledge and skills taught were specific to the AADANT context.

The How and Why of MI was delivered to increase the core skills of alcohol and other drug practitioners. Participants gained core motivational interviewing skills and a deep understanding of the philosophy and spirit of motivational interviewing that enables adaptation to any client situation. Participants took part in demonstrations and practised their skills so that they were able to walk away with real skills that could be applied immediately.

In the brief intervention workshop, participants learned an effective brief intervention framework and increased their knowledge and skills in screening and engagement. They also learned and practised a range of evidence based brief interventions to be used as standalone interventions or part of ongoing treatment.

In the enhanced counselling workshops, participants deepened their understanding of counselling approaches relevant to the alcohol and other drug treatment context and learned and practised a range of evidence based counselling techniques, including relapse prevention, behavioural and cognitive approaches, and motivational interviewing. Participants also enhanced their understanding of factors relevant to behavioural change, including motivation and self efficacy.

All workshops were evaluated using pre and post workshop surveys. There were consistently high ratings for all workshops on measures of satisfaction and relevance, and most participants would recommend the training to others.