Who You Are

Who We Are

ATCA has members across Australia and New Zealand, who provide Therapeutic Communities and Residential Rehabilitation Services. These include both community and prison-based services and are supported by a range of community-based services. If you or someone you know needs support accessing residential alcohol and other drugs treatment, a list of our members can be found using the link below.

What we do

TC Training

The TC Training Course has been developed to assist in expanding the potential ‘TC work-ready’ workforce pool. The key aim of the course is to support AOD practitioners, support workers and other relevant professionals and students to develop knowledge, attitudes and skills that can be applied in the TC context.

Learn more

The TC Training Course has been developed to assist in expanding the potential ‘TC work-ready’ workforce pool. The key aim of the course is to support AOD practitioners, support workers and other relevant professionals and students to develop knowledge, attitudes and skills that can be applied in the TC context.

The ATCA Standard

A major concern for ATCA from its inception has been the implementation of a program of continuous quality improvement and associated with this, an evaluation process to ensure both the quality of service provided by Therapeutic Communities in Australia, but also to ensure adherence to the Therapeutic Community model.

Learn more

A major concern for ATCA from its inception has been the implementation of a program of continuous quality improvement and associated with this, an evaluation process to ensure both the quality of service provided by Therapeutic Communities in Australia, but also to ensure adherence to the Therapeutic Community model.

Conferences and Symposiums

ATCA hosts international conferences and Symposiums bringing together professionals working in Therapeutic Communities, researchers and clinicians in the Alcohol and Drug field and affiliated areas. TCs are an integral element of a comprehensive response to alcohol and other drug issues in our community, nationally and internationally.

Learn more

ATCA hosts international conferences and Symposiums bringing together professionals working in Therapeutic Communities, researchers and clinicians in the Alcohol and Drug field and affiliated areas. TCs are an integral element of a comprehensive response to alcohol and other drug issues in our community, nationally and internationally.

Become a Member

We welcome applications for membership from services and organisations providing residential alcohol and other drugs treatment operating Therapeutic Communities or aspiring to utilise the model. There are three different types of membership offered, each with their own requirements and benefits.

Become a Member

Frequently Asked Questions

A therapeutic community is a treatment approach in which the community itself, through self-help and mutual support, is the principal means for promoting personal change.

In a therapeutic community residents and staff participate in the operation of the community, contributing to a psychologically and physically safe learning environment where change can occur.

In a therapeutic community there is a focus on social, psychological and behavioral dimensions of substance use, with the use of the community to heal individuals emotionally, and support the development of behaviors, attitudes and values of healthy living.

Our membership is comprised of services operating under the Therapeutic Community Model or services aspiring to become a therapeutic community. Our mission is support and represent members and advocate for the Therapeutic Community Model as an evidence-based model that restores a sense of wellbeing for consumers of our member’s services.  We achieve this by advocating for the needs of our members, supporting continuous quality improvement through the ATCA Standard and developing a strong member workforce by providing specialised training opportunities.

If you or somebody you know needs support accessing residential alcohol and other drugs treatment, a list of our Therapeutic Community and Residential Rehabilitation members can be found on the members location page.

The TC Training Course has been developed to support AOD practitioners, support workers and other relevant professionals and students to develop knowledge, attitudes and skills that can be applied in the TC context. The Training and Events page provides further information, or send an email to atca@atca.com.au

Contact Us

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