Therapeutic Communities (TC) Training

Therapeutic Communities (TC) training supports addiction practitioners, addiction support workers, other relevant professionals and students to develop knowledge, attitudes and skills that can be used in the addiction Therapeutic Community context.

Therapeutic Communities training supports addiction kaimahi to develop and demonstrate an understanding of theory, principles and key concepts which underpin an effective community.

The TC training programme is developed specifically for the Aotearoa New Zealand context. By utilising the "community as method" approach, the training models how the community itself is a primary agent for individual change and recovery.

This training applies to all addiction-focused modified community models in Aotearoa (Kaupapa Māori, residential addiction treatment services and prison-based drug treatment programmes).

Training is free for participants, with completion earning a certificate and up to 40 dapaanz Continuing Professional Development (CPD) points.

Course modules

• Overview of the Therapeutic Community
• Community as method
• TC structure, organisation and environment
• Relationship dynamics within in a TC
• Staff roles and responsibilities/rational authority
• Group work within TC
• Community tools
• Work as therapy
• Continuing care

TC training models the "community as method" approach with interactive teaching methods and many learning activities undertaken in groups.

Course content is presented within learning activities, including:

• individual activities
• group activities
• presentations
• role play and case scenarios
• self-directed learning activities and assignments.

• 32 hours of in-person learning facilitated by a trainer (typically 2-day block courses, 1 month apart).
• 15 hours of self-directed learning.

This training was formed in partnership with a working group of key stakeholders and Māori advisors with expertise in the Therapeutic Communities approach. Training content and delivery reflects the bicultural relationship between Māori and non-Māori inherent in Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

Te Pou acknowledges whāea Pam Armstrong, who contributed to this training and the addiction sector with her knowledge and aroha.

“Absolutely the best training I have ever been to.  The facilitators were perfect and worked beautifully together. Very clever learning about the TC model and doing just that in our groups while training. I feel so empowered and have made positive changes at work already.”

“This program was well organized, and the facilitation was great on integrating wider perspectives from different networks.”

“The facilitators were great, fantastic mix of Kaupapa Māori and TC knowledge which allowed for both Māori participants and Pākeha participants to be of the same understandings.”

“Loved the training and appreciate the mahi of the facilitators. Made heaps of new connections and built relationships that are inspiring. Loved it!”

There are currently no training dates available, but you can register your interest to be notified of upcoming trainings.

Please contact Jason.Jones@tepou.co.nz for more information or if your organisation would like to send kaimahi on this training.