For more than 10 years, Gordon Kay and his colleagues in Metro South Addiction and Mental Health Services have been improving access to therapy for people who hear distressing voices. 

Hearing Voices Support Groups aim to make members feel truly accepted, respected and understood and not alone in their experiences.

These groups are a safe place to challenge stigma and learn from each other about different ways of understanding voice hearing.

"We considered the development of an intervention that is not only effective at helping people cope, but is also potentially feasible to implement into broader mental health services,” Gordon said.

"I am happy that our work has improved access to much needed therapy and has now started to naturally develop further across Metro South.

"Our approach integrates cognitive behavioural therapy with the values and methods of the peer led hearing voices networks. It is clinically original, but also innovative." 

The work at Addiction and Mental Health Services contributes to a growing body of evidence that suggests low intensity group-based approaches that are specifically developed for distressing voices can be delivered in routine practice and be of great benefit.

Gordon's PhD research was honoured at a prestigious ceremony in Adelaide recently, as part of TheMHS Annual Conference.

The Mental Health Service Awards of Australia and New Zealand recognise innovation, research excellence, best practice and lived experience leadership in mental health services.