Treatment programs and workshops

Open Arms offers a range of free group programs to assist the serving and ex-serving community, as well as their families, live their best life. Call 1800 011 046 to speak with an Open Arms staff member for assistance in finding the right program for you.

Our range of group activities includes both face to face group treatment programs and online groups.

The Department of Veterans’ Affairs also funds a range of flexible training programs to support the veteran community to assist others in mental health and suicide prevention. Learn more about these programs and enrol at Protect - Mental Health First Aid Australia.
 

Free training for the veteran community

 

  • Education workshop
    2 day workshop

    Stepping out

    View sessions

    A workshop that examines the civilian transition process in both practical and emotional terms

    • Discover key issues related to personal and social adjustment following discharge.
    • Receive knowledge, skills and resources to assist you in making the transition to civilian life.
    • ADF members attending the program will be considered ‘on duty at another location’.

    Who can attend: ADF members and their partners about to or recently in transition to civilian life. 

  • Group treatment program
    Offered as a 2 day or 6 week program

    Doing anger differently

    View sessions

    A program to help you understand anger and aggression

    • Manage thoughts and feelings that contribute to anger.
    • Learn how problematic anger develops and how to prevent aggressive behaviours.
    • Understand the warning signs of anger.
    • Develop skills to reduce heightened physical responses and anger.
    • Manage unhelpful thinking and develop skills to communicate more effectively to improve relationships.

    Who can attend: Current and ex-serving ADF members, partners, adult children.

    Offered as

    • Short online introduction (2 x 90 minute sessions)
    • 2 days or 6 x 90 minute sessions weekly
  • anxious lady
    Group treatment program
    Offered as a 2 day or 6 week program

    Understanding anxiety

    View sessions

    A program that teaches you strategies and skills for managing anxiety

    • Understand the impact of military training and experiences on anxiety.
    • Learn strategies to challenge/change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours.
    • Discover lifestyle factors for managing anxiety.
    • Develop a Relapse Prevention Plan.

    Who can attend: Current and ex-serving ADF members, partners, adult children.

  • Self-harm image
    Group treatment program
    Offered as a 2 day or 6 week program

    Recovery from trauma

    View sessions

    A program to help understand and manage the impact of trauma on you and your family

    • Identify and reduce heightened physical responses to trauma.
    • Manage avoidance behaviours and develop a strategy to safely confront fearful situations.
    • Learn how to modify unhelpful thinking.
    • Develop skills to improve relationships and meet healthy lifestyle goals.

    Who can attend: Current and ex-serving ADF members, partners, adult children.

  • stress management
    Group treatment program
    1 day or 2 day program

    Relaxation and stress management

    View sessions

    Practical skills that can be used in everyday life to de-stress

    • Discover mindfulness as a practice to shift focus from ‘what has happened in the past’ and ‘what may happen in the future’ to ‘what is happening right now’.
    • Learn strategies to alleviate a variety of conditions, including pain, stress and mild depression.

    Who can attend: Current and ex-serving ADF members, partners, adult children.

  • Group treatment program
    Offered as a 2 day or 6 week program

    Managing pain

    View sessions

    A program to help you learn about effective pain management strategies

    • Understand the link between physical and psychological aspects of pain.
    • Learn strategies to challenge/change unhelpful thoughts and behaviours.
    • Discover important lifestyle factors for managing pain.
    • Develop a Personal Pain Plan.

    Who can attend: Current and ex-serving ADF members, partners, adult children.

  • Better relationships man and women holding hands
    Educational program
    3 day program

    Building better relationships

    View sessions

    A program to help you rediscover what's important in your relationship and to rebuild a relationship with your partner

    • Focus on what works well to strengthen your relationship.
    • Enhance the resilience of individual partners and the relationship.
    • Create shared meaning through values and rituals of connection.
    • Understand the emotions behind your partner's life dreams.
    • Manage conflict positively and adopt a positive perspective.

    Who can attend: Current and ex-serving ADF members and their partners. Adult children and their partners.

  • man looking out into wilderness
    Group treatment program
    2 day or 6 week program

    Beating the blues

    View sessions

    A program to help you understand and manage depression

    • Understand the signs and symptoms, situations and thinking patterns that contribute to depression.
    • Challenge unhelpful thinking patterns and behaviours.
    • Learn techniques to manage stress and depressed moods.

    Who can attend: Current and ex-serving ADF members, partners, adult children.

  • alarm clock
    Group treatment program
    Available online or face-to-face

    Sleeping better

    View sessions

    A program to help you manage disturbed sleep

    • Develop an understanding of the sleep process and factors impacting on sleep.
    • Learn ways to reduce or eliminate factors detrimental to sleep and to introduce or enhance those beneficial to sleep.
    • Explore and understand the impact of sleep disturbances on mood, behaviour and relationships.

    Who can attend: Current and ex-serving ADF members, partners, adult children.