Loneliness and AOD treatment

The purpose of the loneliness seminar is to present recent research findings about the experience of loneliness amongst people accessing alcohol and other drug (AOD) treatment. A novel loneliness intervention, Groups for Belonging, which was developed specifically for this population will also be presented.

A/PROF GENEVIEVE DINGLE, UNVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND

Genevieve Dingle is a registered clinical psychologist and Associate Professor in the School of Psychology at the University of QLD. Her research focuses on how groups and communities can influence mental health and wellbeing. She has studied formal therapy groups (such as group CBT, and therapeutic communities for alcohol and other drug treatment), as well as arts-based groups such as choirs and creative writing classes. She is currently leading a program of research into understanding and addressing loneliness which examines the interplay between individual and social / community level factors.

ISABELLA INGRAM, UNIVERSITY OF WOLLONGONG

Isabella Ingram is a clinical psychology registrar who is completing her PhD at the School of Psychology, University of Wollongong. Isabella’s research has focused on loneliness amongst people with AOD problems. Her PhD was comprised of four studies which have included qualitatively and quantitatively exploring the phenomenon of loneliness. In collaboration with the University of Queensland, Isabella was involved in developing and trialling a loneliness intervention across residential AOD treatment services.