Over the last few years there has been an increasing interest in Mindfulness Training. However, the number of MBCT and MBSR courses on offer in Western Australia (WA) is limited. The Marian Centre is one of the few private mental health organisations that regularly run MBCT classes for people with health problems. Indeed they pioneered MBCT in the private sector in WA. To present knowledge, only a few public community health services regularly run mindfulness classes for adults with mental health problems or other chronic health problems. This may be due to the fact that cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT) and interpersonal therapy have the strongest evidence base in terms of psychotherapy approaches for mood disorders. Costs and availability of practitioners and facilities may be another factor. However, running groups can be difficult to organise as it can be challenging at times to get sufficient numbers of people with appropriate disorders for MBCT or MBSR to attend a course at any one time. Some private and public health services (Public Hospitals, University Clinics) may run occasional courses. You may need to do further research to find out where and when they run. Hopefully, MBCT and MBSR will become more available in the future.
This is a daypatient group program that runs once per week. New groups usually start every second month, or more frequently as demand determines. A referral from a GP or a psychiatrist is an initial requirement. Admission to the program also requires attendance at an interview with one of the clinicians to determine if MBCT can meet your needs, or whether some other form of treatment is more appropriate. The program primarily caters for people that are: recovering from recurrent depression; trying to reduce stress or anxiety; improve their mood; or trying to manage and cope with chronic pain. Private health insurance rebates apply. Out of pocket costs are usually low with good private hospital health cover. Contact The Marian Centre for further details and cost-estimates.
The Marian Centre
187 & 200 Cambridge Street
Wembley 6014, Western Australia
Tel: +61 89380 4999
Fax: +61 89388 3179
For further information contact the Daypatient Coordinator.
Email: reception@themariancentre.com.au.
Some other organisations may offer MBCT or MBSR programs. However, as mentioned they may only be run on an irregular basis. A list of possible organisations to follow-up on your own is shown below. You may also wish to contact some of the private and public hospital mental health clinics (e.g., Sir Charles Gardiner Hospital Pain Medicine Unit, Bentley Hospital, Fremantle Hospital Pain Medicine Unit, or Royal Perth Hospital/Shenton Annex) to see what mindfulness programs they offer for adults with mental health problems or chronic pain.
Curtin Psychology Clinic
This is a clinical psychology research and training clinic for PhD and Masters of Psychology students. This clinic specialises in CBT for mood and anxiety disorders. Their clinical psychology trainees also run MBCT programs for adults on a semester basis.
Robin Winkler Clinic - University of Western Australia
This is a clinical psychology research and training clinic for PhD and Masters of Psychology students that specialises in CBT for mood, anxiety and eating disorders.
Private practitioners may also use mindfulness training in their therapy approach. Follow these links for further information.
Local Mindfulness Practitioners
Mindfulness training practitioners associated with this website: Mindfulness Therapists in WA.
Mental Health WA
This is a website that lists private practitioners in the mental health field.
WA Association for Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
This is another website that has a list of private practitioners that specialise in CBT, some of which may also specialise in mindfulness training.
Australian Psychological Society
This website has a list of psychologists that specialise in a variety of psychological therapies, some of which may specialise in mindfulness training.
