BIO

Alston is an experienced lecturer and social work professional with a strong background in teaching, counselling, and community services. His career spans both academic and industry roles, including lecturing at IHM and delivering training at RMIT University.

In addition to his teaching, Alston has extensive industry experience in the alcohol and other drugs (AOD) and mental health sectors. He served as a Senior Forensic AOD Counsellor with the Australian Community Support Organisation, where he provided clinical supervision, secondary consultation, and counselling for complex clients. His leadership included mentoring staff and students, coordinating peer supervision, and ensuring high standards of practice across forensic programs.

Alston also worked as a Clinical Advisor at the County Court – Drug and Alcohol Treatment Court, where he conducted biopsychosocial and risk assessments, formulated treatment plans, and delivered one-on-one clinical sessions with participants. In this role, he provided direct feedback and professional advice to judges and stakeholders, ensuring that judicial decisions were informed by evidence-based clinical insights.

His professional background further includes roles as a counsellor and assessor in community health services, where he delivered person-centred interventions, prepared forensic reports for courts, and collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to support client rehabilitation and wellbeing.

Alston brings this wealth of practical expertise into his teaching, ensuring that students gain both theoretical knowledge and applied skills relevant to professional practice. He is committed to evidence-based, inclusive teaching approaches that foster student engagement, critical thinking, and professional readiness.

ACADEMIC POSITIONS

QUALIFICATIONS

• Master of Social Work
  Monash University, Australia
• Bachelor of Behaviour Studies & Communications
  Monash University, Australia
• Certificate IV in Training and Assessment (TAE40122)
  Box Hill Institute, Australia
• Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST)
  ACSO Australia
• Mental Health First Aid (MHFA)
  Mental Health First Aid Australia
• Working With Children Card
  Victoria Government

FIELDS OF RESEARCH