Palmerston Therapeutic Community (The Farm)

Palmerston Farm is a Therapeutic Community offering a residential rehabilitation program designed for people over 18 years old wishing to address their substance issues. The core program is 14 weeks, with residents having the opportunity to remain in the Therapeutic Community for up to one year.

The Therapeutic Community is located on a 10 acre property 30 minutes south of Perth. It offers 29 residential places for men and women and transitional housing for three graduates of the program. The farm property offers a semi rural environment for clients.

The Therapeutic Community
The Therapeutic Community provides a safe drug and alcohol free environment that offers residents the opportunity to make the positive changes they want to make in their life. This is accomplished through personal growth within a community of concerned people working together to help themselves and one another.

The TC Program
The aim of the program is to provide a safe environment, to encourage a sense of purpose in life and to foster a natural desire for personal growth, self-knowledge and self responsibility.

We believe this personal development enables residents to instigate and maintain the changes required to face the challenges of effective everyday living. Mindful of these goals, our program contains various components, including:
  • active involvement in the therapeutic community as the primary task
  • developing optimal mental and physical health and well-being
  • self-management skills and social skills training
  • vocational training
  • horticultural and gardening activities
  • counselling and group work
  • sport and recreational involvement
  • art and craft work

Palmerston Perth

Services Offered

  • alcohol and drug counselling
  • day and evening counselling services
  • family support counselling service
  • assessment, counselling and support services for court diversion clients
  • group support, educational and therapeutic programs
  • comprehensive assessment for the Palmerston residential Therapeutic Community
  • after care support to clients who have participated in the Therapeutic Community
  • working with culturally, linguistically, diverse clients (CALD)
  • AOD community education services
  • collaboration with Indigenous services to improve accessibility to the Therapeutic Community

Palmerston Perth offers a wide range of services to the community. 

Family Program:

The family program provides opportunities for individual and group counselling for families and friends affected by drug or alcohol use. Families receive peer support and are offered information and techniques to improve communication skills and coping strategies.

Counselling Services:

  • alcohol and other drugs counselling
  • day and evening sessions

Court Diversion Program:

The diversion program is designed to assist clients who are involved in the court system and Drug Court.

The diversion program offers:

  • court information and support
  • group counselling for individuals on the Drug Court program
  • internal and external referrals
  • referrals to court diversion programs
  • assistance for diversion clients wishing to enter the Therapeutic Community
Palmerston Perth's dedicated and diverse staff team supports and works closely with the Therapeutic Community.

Assessment for entry into the Therapeutic Community Program:
  • weekly information sessions for clients about the Therapeutic Community
  • group and individual counselling to support clietns as they await entry to the Therapeutic Community
  • specific support to clients and services in rural, rgional and remote areas considering the Therapeutic Community
  • formal assessment
Aftercare:
  • group and individual counselling for clients who have left the residential Therapeutic Community
  • social events at the Therapeutic Community so that clients can continue to maintain connection with the Therapeutic Community whilst readjusting to life in the wider community
  • practical support with welfare issues, such as housing, employment and training


South Metropolitan Community Drug Service

(Fremantle – Rockingham – Mandurah)

The integrated South Metro Community Drug Service was developed through a partnership between Palmerston and Next Step (Health Department of WA). The new, streamlined service aims to provide individuals and their families with improved access to a more comprehensive range of alcohol and other drug services from one location. Palmerston provides counselling and support for individuals and their families. Next Step provides medical and psychological services.

Services provided include:
  • assessment and referral
  • counselling including single session (adult, youth and family)
  • group programs
  • diversion programs for people referred by police and the courts
  • services for youth (including support for schools)
  • services for people referred by other agencies including mental health, corrective services, child protection and general practitioners
  • case management including shared care
  • withdrawal services including home-based withdrawal management (through DAWN)
  • clinical psychology
  • medical assessment and review
  • opiate and alcohol pharmacotherapy
  • community based prevention and community development activities
In addition, St John of God Hospital Subiaco’s Drug & Alcohol Withdrawal Network (DAWN) is available at most locations to assist people to manage their withdrawal from alcohol/drug use in the home environment. DAWN’s experienced nurses work closely with the client’s doctor and provide regular visits during withdrawal.


Great Southern Community Drug Service Team

(Albany – Denmark – Katanning – with a community based centre in Mt Barker and regular weekly services in Walpole and Gnowangerup)

The Great Southern Community Drug Service Team is based in Albany. We cover a large area in the Great Southern Region from Walpole to Bremer Bay, and north to Kojonup, Katanning and Lake Grace as well as many places in between. We have offices in Denmark, Katanning, Mt Barker and Albany.

The GSCDST provides a wide range of services including:
  • one to one counselling for individuals and families
  • counselling for people in the justice system, including court diversion programs
  • drug and alcohol withdrawal management
  • information about drugs and alcohol
  • education and training for professionals and community groups
  • support and consultation to schools, service providers and community groups
  • a family program (YAP) to help families who are experiencing drug and alcohol problems
  • needle and syringe program
  • group counselling and art therapy
Our Team:

Our staff team includes specialist alcohol and drug counsellors, psychologists, social workers, nurses, childcare worker and indigenous workers. As a team we have a wealth of experience in areas such as:
  • education and training
  • counselling
  • aboriginal issues
  • families and children
  • health and well being
  • substance use and mental health problems
  • welfare support
  • art therapy
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More information
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True Stories

"It has been a turning point in my life coming here as I was heading toward death from my addiction and the resultant despair. I highly recommend this service to anyone contemplating regaining choice in their behaviour."

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