Counselling
Daily therapies include both one-one counselling and group classes. Group therapy with personal sharing is not part of our program to preserve confidentiality.
Our therapists offer the following counselling strategies and therapies.
Psychology and Psychotherapy
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
Psycho-dynamic Therapy
Motivational Interviewing
Motivational Interviewing is a counselling method that enhances motivation through the resolution of ambivalence. This process includes:
- Engaging – establishing a working relationship and connection with the person.
- Focusing – developing and maintaining the direction of the conversation towards behaviour change.
- Evoking – drawing out the person’s own motivation for change.
Planning – helping the person develop a commitment to change and a plan of action.
Solution Focused Therapy
Narrative Therapy
Relapse Prevention
Brief and Early Intervention
NDIS: Respite and STA
Respite falls under NDIS accepted funding. The Hermitage Centre offers respite for all NDIS members in relaxing, homestead style-accommodation. We provide 24 hour support and care, with chef-prepared meals, your own bathroom and private balcony. You are welcome to bring your personal carer if you prefer. Our respite activities include music, art and exercise onsite. Offsite activities include yoga, massage and acupuncture. We also offer recreational outings such as walking, golf, bowling, hiking, sailing, surfing etc.
Short Term Accommodation (STA) will appear in your NDIS Plan under Core Supports. STA provides support and accommodation for a short period to help you and your carers rest and recover. This covers the cost of care outside your home and all the support you need during your time away from home. Support from STA can significantly increase your independence or help you learn new skills.
Accommodation is only one part of STA and respite. The cost of your care, food and activities are all covered. We have qualified counsellors each day offering 1:1 counselling as part of your stay.
If you need to reduce or change your medication (with your doctor’s permission), our trained nursing staff and support workers can supervise your transition. We can collaborate with you and your Local Area Coordinator, Support Coordinator or Plan nominee to plan your Short-Term Accommodation (STA).
Complementary therapies
We also believe addiction recovery responds well to specialised intervention alongside complementary therapies.
Finding emotional balance and mental relaxation is vital to prevent relapse. Our team will help you design a wellbeing routine that will suit your recovery program.
The following substances require support:
- Cocaine
- Alcohol
- Methamphetamine (Ice)
- Amphetamine (Speed)
- MDMA (Ecstasy)
- Cannabis
- Hallucinogens (LSD, PCP, Magic Mushrooms (psilocybin), DMT, Ketamine etc)
- Benzodiazepines
- Heroin
- Other Opiates; Codeine, Morphine, Pethidine, Fentanyl etc
- Pharmacotherapy/Opiate Substitute withdrawal (Methadone, Buprenorphine, Suboxone)
Pharmaceutical withdrawal and/or tapering is down under direction of your treating doctor.
Medical Cannabis (CBD and THC)
Medicinal Cannabis is now a legal medical treatment for many symptoms such as pain, anxiety and insomnia. Our nursing team are experienced in helping clients in their transition from addictive medications such as opioids and benzodiazepines (Panadeine Forte, Targin, Fentanyl, Valium and Xanax).
A specialised registered medical practitioner can prescribe a Cannabis oil formulation specific to your needs, with a variable CBD:THC ratio. Each client is titrated up to a suitable dosage over a period of days or weeks.
Clients can be only prescribed medicinal Cannabis if there has been no social marijuana usage.
Food & nutrition
We believe in the health promoting effects of home cooked meals and the benefits of enjoying your meals. Our kitchen provides healthy gourmet-meals designed and supervised by a qualified Nutritionist. Meals are prepared according to fresh wholefood principles, with foods that promote detoxification, mental health and energy such as fresh fruits, salads and vegetables. Eating local seasonal produce is important to us.
Enjoying food is important during your detox, so we also love to lash out and have freshly made cakes for afternoon tea and desserts after dinner. Clients are offered coffee and tea with breakfast, followed by decaffeinated beverages after lunch. Fresh juices and smoothies are available during the day.
Hermitage Centre caters to all food requirements and tastes. If you have any food cravings during your stay, we would be only too happy to accommodate you. If you have a craving for chocolate, we’ve got chocolate. Our cook is happy to accommodate for vegetarians, vegans and allergy sufferers. The menu does include dairy, fish, chicken and red meat for nonvegetarians.
Activities
Some of the activities are onsite and some offsite. Clients participate in music, art, dancing, sports during their rehab schedule. On weekends we organise a range of external activities such as go-carting, archery, sailing, bowling, virtual reality, swimming, hiking, indoor paragliding etc.
Take a look at our counsellor and helicopter pilot Alex flying with our clients
“Flying is better than alcohol” says one of our clients.