This free, online workshop will explore the role of pharmacotherapy in integrated mental health and addiction care. This session will cover key considerations such as addressing barriers, initiating conversations and navigating care pathways.

Gain practical insights into managing risks, ensuring safety and collaborating effectively with healthcare professionals. Designed to equip you with knowledge and strategies, this workshop supports delivering safe, effective and compassionate care.

This session is aimed at Victorian AOD and mental health workers.

This workshop is offered by the Hamilton Centre and funded by the Victorian Department of Health.

• Date: Thursday, 27 November 2025.
• Time: 9am – 3pm.
• Cost: Free.

Participants will receive a certificate of attendance and will be asked to complete a survey to help us improve future events.

Places are limited, so early registration will secure your spot. For further information, please contact us at education@hamiltoncentre.org.au.

Learning objectives

• Understand the role of pharmacotherapy in integrated care
• Identify and address barriers to effective pharmacotherapy delivery
• Learn practical skills to improve pharmacotherapy treatment outcomes
• Explore emerging trends within pharmacotherapy treatment

Presenters

Alice Frank is a senior clinical pharmacist with particular interest and expertise in mental health and substance use disorders. She has extensive experience in various clinical and leadership roles within Victorian Public Health Services. She is passionate about the significant positive impact that mental health pharmacists have in ensuring optimal, patient-centred, and evidence-based treatments.

Lee Ann has lived experience of substance use disorder and mental health challenges. She holds qualifications in Community Services, Mental Health and AOD, as well as Child Youth and Families. In addition, she has completed multiple Peer Worker training programs and is a certified SMART Recovery Facilitator. Over the past 3.5 years, Lee Ann has worked as a Youth Residential Carer, supporting children living in Out of Home Care. She also works as a Peer Support Worker with the Hamilton Centre’s Eastern team and has recently joined the Central team as a Peer Educator. Lee Ann is a strong advocate for challenging stigma and promotes the use of therapeutic language and trauma-informed care in all aspects of her work.

Shirley Gill is a clinical psychologist with 30 years of experience in addiction, dedicated to creating safe spaces for clients in clinical settings. She has specialised in working with people presenting with substance use issues, mental health disorders and problem gambling. Shirley’s clinical practice for the last 10 years has been in a community health setting. In addition, Shirley has a strong educational background, having worked in both secondary school and tertiary education settings. Shirley’s passion for teaching led her to join the Turning Point workforce development team in 2007 as a trainer and educator. During this time, she contributed to the development of Monash University’s Graduate Program of Addictive Behaviours, and she has been teaching in the Graduate Program of Addictive Behaviours since its inception 2014. As a Monash University lecturer, Shirley continues to co-ordinate the second-year unit, Co-occurring Mental Illness and Substance Use or Addiction.

Dr Vicky Phan is an Addiction Psychiatrist and a lecturer for the Master of Addictive Behaviours course at Monash University. She has completed specialist medical training in addiction psychiatry, and has postgraduate qualifications in psychiatry, public health, and alcohol and other drugs (AOD). Vicky has experience working across AOD and mental health services in both NSW and Victoria, and believes in a holistic and person-centred approach when working with people and their families. Her areas of special interest include mental health comorbidity, harm minimisation, pharmacotherapy, training, and education.

About us

Hamilton Centre is a statewide centre for mental health and addiction in Victoria, Australia. It works towards integrated care for people with co-occurring substance use or addiction and mental illness through an innovative program of clinical, research, and education & training streams. Working with key stakeholders, including people with lived and living experience, the centre helps build the capability of healthcare workers within Area and Local Mental Health and Wellbeing Services, as well as alcohol and other drug services, to deliver integrated care.