Positive Changes is a counselling service for those negatively affected by illicit drug use in the Gold Coast region. The individual counselling program addresses the needs of individuals experiencing problems with their drug use and co-occurring mental health concerns, in addition to the needs of their significant others.
Individual counseling is complemented by the Positive Changes Group Program. This is a skills-training program for those who wish to cease substance use, reduce their use or for those who have already ceased substance use and require help maintaining abstinence. It is also effective for people with co-occurring mental health concerns.

Positive Changes Group runs for 2 ½ hours each week over 8 weeks. This comprises one hour of education, half hour break for morning tea and one hour of activities. The program has the flexibility to run for longer if necessary to meet the unique needs of each group.
Positive Changes has been designed to be a holistic program that combines education, experiential activities, and a variety of other therapeutic techniques, whilst creating a supportive environment where people can feel safe to share experiences. While Positive Changes is primarily skills-focused (eg managing triggers, effective communication and problem-solving) it has also been designed to be interactive, experiential and fun.
QuIHN on the Gold Coast also offers the Parent, Child & Family (PCF) Support Program. This program aims to reduce the effects of mental illness and substance abuse on families. Individual counselling is complemented by skills-training groups in addressing:

• The Treehouse Group Program – a 10-module (10-week) psychosocial skills-training program aimed at supporting parents to enhance parenting capacity and reduce obstacles to positive parenting such as substance use or mental health concerns
• Koping Adolescent Program – a peer support group program for young people (12-18 years of age) living in households affected by a mental health and/or drug use problem

The PCF Program also includes counselling for significant others directly and/or indirectly affected by mental illness and/or substance abuse

For more information about any of these services please call 07 55207900 from 9am to 5pm .

These services have been made possible through funding by the Australian Government’s National Illicit Drug Strategy (NIDS, DoHA), Strengthening Families Initiative (NIDS-FAHCSIA) and Community-Based Mental Health Program (FAHCSIA).