The Try Another Way resources were developed by Dr Jan Parr as part of a PhD she completed which trialled cognitive behaviour strategies to aid cessation of benzodiazepine use. These helpful resources were gifted by Dr Parr to the PsychHelp website to be used for those addicted to benzodiazepines and other substances. Dr Parr has published articles regarding this program including:

Parr, J. M., Kavanagh, D. J., Young, R. McD, Stubbs, B. and Bradizza, N. (2013) Impact of cognitive behaviour therapy via mail for cessation of benzodiazepine use: a series of case reports. Behaviour Change, 30 2: 74-83.

Parr, J. M., Kavanagh, D. J., Young, R. M. & Mitchell, G. (2011) Acceptability of CBT via the internet for cessation benzodiazepine use. Drug and Alcohol Review, 30(3), 306-314

The information on this page is to provide free resources for general use and should not be a substitute for professional assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.

Dr Jan Parr’s involvement in improving community wellbeing and scientific knowledge has occurred in all aspects of her career. Recently this has occurred through delivering psychology services via telehealth as part of PsychHelp. In her previous role, at the Queensland Centre for Mental Health Learning this occurred through involvement in the development of online training and delivery of face-to-face training for mental health professionals to ensure that their clients received high quality treatment, as well as involvement in the development of Queensland’s approach to managing clients with a dual diagnosis.  Before moving to Brisbane, Dr Parr worked in the Queensland Health Alcohol and Other Drugs Service in Cairns for 20 years and led the development of innovative services and training to health professionals across Far North Queensland including the development of the Cannabis Diversion Service and the Drug Court as well as a alcohol and drug nursing service to the local watch-house. She obtained national grants to assess HIV/AIDS in rural and remote injecting drug users and piloted the delivery of a psychological service by the Royal Flying Doctor Service. Her doctoral thesis explored the use of alternate technology to deliver a cognitive behavioural therapy program to assist long-term benzodiazepine users to cease use. Results of this research have been published in international journals.

Dr Parr has also been involved with the APS throughout her career.  Her involvement began in 1989, when she began coordinating the Cairns Group of Psychologists.  She worked on the formation of the Cairns Branch in 1995 and the creation of the Rural and Remote Interest Group, and served on inaugural executives of both groups. She also served on the organising committee for the 1997 APS Conference in Cairns. Dr Parr’s long-term commitment to rural and remote practice resulted in her secondment to the National Executive of the Clinical College as a Rural and Remote representative 2005-2007. Following her move to Brisbane, Dr Parr took on the role of Treasurer of the APS Brisbane Branch and an executive member of the Qld Branch of the Clinical College. Throughout her career, Dr Parr has also supervised many students, entry-level psychologists and Clinical College registrars.