About the program
This program provides a balance between work, structured group sessions and recreation. Participants are encouraged to deal with self-defeating patterns of thoughts and behaviours. This occurs in a safe and supportive environment where Odyssey House’s values of trust, concern, respect, honesty and love are promoted.
Residents have access to a range of professional staff including counsellors, psychologists, psychiatrists, doctors, nurses and social workers. A number of staff members add value through both their professional qualifications as well as their personal experiences with addiction.
All residents participate in community decision-making. They also contribute to the functioning of the community through cooking, cleaning, and working on property development and maintenance. Over time, residents take leadership roles in various departments such as the office, children’s centre, property management and the kitchen.
As part of the program we provide access to a Financial Counsellor who will provide information, advice and advocacy if you’re in financial difficulty. We also support residents who have debts, fines and infringements. In most cases, all costs are covered through government funding and a resident’s Centrelink contributions.
Residential Rehabilitation services at Melbourne are now smoke-free. All residents are provided with the option of Nicotine Replacement Therapies as alternatives to tobacco or smoking, and to help support their withdrawal.
One of the unique features of the Odyssey House therapeutic community is that 32 beds are allocated to families. Residents who come to Odyssey House as a family unit are fully integrated into the program and also participate in specific parenting and family strengthening activities. Children attend either an on-site child development centre and/or local kindergartens and primary schools. Odyssey House Victoria is committed to child safety and is a child safe organisation.
In general, families are able to have regular contact and visits with residents. The Odyssey House therapeutic community is located at 28 Bonds Road, Lower Plenty.