Couch Sessions with Stephanie Holmes

Couch Session - TeamHealth

Join Stephanie Holmes from AADANT as she sits down with Julia Wormer from TeamHEALTH for a relaxed check-in session. They chat about what’s happening on the ground, how the team is tracking and how AADANT can continue to support their important work.

TeamHEALTH expressed strong interest in further training and workforce development, especially around dual diagnosis and are keen for more collaboration moving forward.  With the recent appointment of Dr Rina Bruinsma as CEO, it’s an exciting new chapter for the organisation.



Well done to the TeamHEALTH team - great to have you on board and we’re looking forward to what’s to come!

Couch Session - AMSANT

As part of the AADANT Conference 2025, Stephanie Holmes from AADANT sits down with Robert Randall from AMSANT for an insightful couch session exploring the role of multiculturalism in the alcohol and other drug (AOD) sector.

They discuss how cultural background can impact a person’s ability to access support and the importance of not working in silos. Robert highlights the need for better cultural training and supervision for FIFO staff, so they can support communities in culturally safe and meaningful ways.

AMSANT shares the idea of a strong cultural engagement program to introduce new workers to the culture, protocols and land they’re working on. With more organisations taking responsibility for cultural understanding, Robert emphasises the need for training and webinars to support this work.

Couch Session - NT Shelter

At AADANT Conference 2025, Stephanie Holmes chats with Annie Taylor from NTShelter about the urgent need for more housing funding in the NT and how government can better support the sector.

With the current NT housing strategy ending, they discuss working together to create a new strategy based on sector input and evidence. They also explore how housing and AOD services can collaborate to break the cycle of homelessness and substance use issues that are closely linked in the NT and nationally.

This session highlights the critical connection between housing and AOD and the importance of integrated solutions.

Couch Session - Banyan House

In this couch session from AADANT Conference 2025, Stephanie Holmes chats with Phil Blunt, CEO of Banyan House, about the ongoing concerns around funding for the AOD sector.

Phil highlights the challenges in advocating for the sector and workforce, including difficulties in filling full-time positions despite vacancies. They discuss the importance of increasing education and training opportunities within the sector.

Banyan House is committed to supporting their staff to access training and professional development wherever possible, aiming to strengthen the workforce despite the challenges.

A candid conversation about funding, workforce and the need for ongoing advocacy in the AOD sector.