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Mental health day programs
Group therapy in South East Melbourne
Our mental health day programs are structured, face-to-face group therapy sessions run by a team of mental health professionals.
These programs offer evidence-based treatment in a supportive environment alongside others facing similar challenges.
Group therapy encourages connection, mutual support, and the development of new skills, all within a safe space that fosters both personal growth and positive change.
Whether you're looking to continue your recovery after a hospital stay or seeking community support, our day programs offer a flexible path forward.
Our mental health day programs
Living and thriving with ADHD
This ADHD day program is designed to help you build the skills you need to manage your symptoms and thrive in your personal and professional life.
Who is the day program for?
- Adults (18+) who have completed inpatient ADHD treatment.
- People living with ADHD who need continued support to manage their symptoms.
- People seeking practical, everyday skills to enhance personal and professional success.
How will it help me?
This eight week ADHD day program offers a structured, supportive environment to help you manage symptoms and develop life-enhancing skills. The day program uses interactive group therapy, evidence-based techniques, mindfulness, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and social skills training tailored for adults with ADHD.
The day program provides:
- ADHD skills development: Learn practical skills for managing your symptoms in daily life.
- Therapeutic support: Build coping strategies to improve focus, organisation, and emotional regulation.
- Group learning: Engage in group therapy with others facing similar challenges, fostering connection and peer support.
- Personal growth: Enhance your social, emotional, and professional wellbeing through targeted skill-building exercises.
When can I start and how long will it take?
The program runs for eight weeks and consists of weekly sessions, which run for one to two hours.
This is an open and ongoing group, so patients can join the group at any time.
How do I join the program?
To join the group, you will need a referral from a psychiatrist or GP.
Please send your referral to [email protected] or call 03 9773 7000 to register.
Dialectical behaviour therapy pre-commitment program
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for people who feel emotions very intensely. DBT can help you reduce the frequency of self-harm, better regulate your emotions and reinforce healthy behaviours.
Who is this day program for?
This group is for people who:
- struggle to regulate their emotions
- can be impulsive
- experience significant distress, overwhelm or suicidal thoughts
- have difficulty in maintaining relationships or employment.
DBT can assist in treating a range of mental health challenges and conditions, including:
- borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- clinical depression and anxiety
- post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- binge eating
- substance abuse
- self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
How will it help me?
This group prepares you for participating in the 32-week DBT program. It orientates participants to the structure, goals and requirements of the DBT program.
When can I start and how long does the program take?
This is a closed program, with new participants only accepted during the first week. Once you have completed the pre-commitment program you will be assessed for your suitability for the DBT program.
Dialectical behaviour therapy
*Please note that successful completion of the DBT pre-commitment program is a prerequisite for entry into this program.
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is a type of cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) for people who feel emotions very intensely. DBT can help you reduce the frequency of self-harm, better regulate your emotions and reinforce healthy behaviours.
Who is this day program for?
This group is for people who:
- struggle to regulate their emotions
- can be impulsive
- experience significant distress, overwhelm or suicidal thoughts
- have difficulty in maintaining relationships or employment.
DBT can assist in treating a range of mental health challenges and conditions, including:
- borderline personality disorder (BPD)
- clinical depression and anxiety
- post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- binge eating
- substance abuse
- self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
How will it help me?
This day program helps you develop skills in four key areas:
- Mindfulness: Learning how to focus in the present moment and observe your thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations and behaviours, without judging or reacting to them.
- Distress tolerance: Learning how to understand, accept and manage your emotions in distressing situations. Reducing impulsive and self-destructive behaviours by developing new strategies to cope.
- Emotion regulation: Learning how to manage and express emotions in healthy ways.
- Interpersonal effectiveness: Learning how to communicate your needs, set boundaries and deal with conflict in a way that strengthens your relationships.
When can I start and how long does the program take?
The DBT day program consists of three 10-week modules, delivered over a 32-week period with a one week break between each module.
The program is delivered in a modular format allowing new participants to enter the group at the beginning of each new module.
Road of addiction recovery (ROAR)
The road of addiction recovery day program (ROAR) uses tools from various addiction recovery models to support you in managing addictive behaviours while developing life enhancing skills.
Each session is complete within itself and teaches skills that are ready to be put into practice, session-by-session, building your ability to take life-enhancing actions.
Who is this day program for?
This group is for people who are experiencing problems with substance abuse (alcohol and other drugs) and other mental health issues.
How will it help me?
The ROAR day program assists you to:
- develop mindfulness skills to clearly see the relationship between thoughts, feelings and actions
- enhance problem solving and communication skills
- strengthen interpersonal skills
- improve personal motivation
- cultivate a healthier life.
When can I start and how long does the program take?
This program consists of 12 sessions and participants can join the group at any stage of the program.
Groups run on Wednesdays from 10am to 1pm.
Art therapy open studio
Our art therapy day program provides you with a safe and supported space in which to explore the creative process of art making to improve physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. This is a self-directed group where you choose an activity based off how you are feeling at the beginning of the session.
The group facilitator is available to assist with the creative process, expression and choice of materials.
A variety of art materials and creative approaches are available each week.
Who is this day program for?
The art therapy day program is for anyone who has an interest in using the creative process to develop awareness, express their feelings and support their mental health.
You do not need to have artistic skill or ability to participate in this program.
How will it help me?
The art therapy day program gives you the opportunity to:
- express feelings that are difficult to talk about
- relieve stress and anxiety
- improve self-esteem and confidence
- increase awareness and acceptance of yourself and others
- identify and clarify issues and concerns
- identify blocks to emotional expression
- explore your imagination and creativity
- develop healthy coping skills.
When can I start and how long does the program take?
The program runs weekly on Wednesdays from 9.30am to 3.00pm. Art therapy is an open and ongoing day program, so existing clients can join the group at any time.
Trauma resilience art therapy
Trauma resilience art therapy is a structured group where you can explore a range of art methods and themes. Art is used as a medium to communicate and explore aspects of self and your challenges to build capacity and resilience.
This group focuses on developing a felt sense of safety and regulation, providing an outlet for expression and regaining a sense of trust and control within yourself again to meet life’s challenges.
Who is this day program for?
This group is for people who have experienced trauma, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or are managing life with a mental illness.
It is suitable for those who enjoy exploring the creative art process and have a desire to learn more about themselves and want to develop healthy coping strategies.
How will it help me?
Trauma resilience art therapy aims to help you:
- express your emotions, thoughts and memories
- better understand yourself and your needs
- exercise personal choice
- develop useful coping skills to incorporate into your daily life
- discover your abilities, strengths, and resources
- use art as a tool for organising, mapping and problem-solving issues.
When can I start and how long does the program take?
The program has two streams running weekly.
- Tuesday: Full day from 9.30am to 3.00pm.
- Thursday: Half day from 4.30pm to 7.30pm.
This is an ongoing, semi-closed group. You will need to be referred into the group at an appropriate time within the module.
Cultivating wellbeing
The cultivating wellbeing day program uses a range of evidence-based treatments to support your ongoing recovery and wellbeing. You will learn various coping strategies that are ready to be put into practice in your daily life.
You will be guided through experiential practices that directly sooth the nervous system. This powerful combination of therapeutic approaches work together to support and nurture wellbeing.
This day program introduces you to the structure of talking group therapy, and teaches goals and supportive strategies that are required to engage effectively in other specialised day programs.
Who is this day program for?
This day program is suitable for participants who are struggling with a range of challenges, including depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
This group also aims to prepare you for other specialised day programs, including DBT.
How will it help me?
This group aims to assist you to develop skills in mindfulness:
- To help you work out personal goals and values.
- To increase your understanding of emotions and their impacts.
- To identify patterns of unhelpful thinking and create coping strategies.
- To learn coping skills when feeling distressed.
- To directly experience the effectiveness of cutting edge self-soothing strategies that can be applied in day-to-day life.
When can I start and how long does the program take?
This half-day rolling program is comprised of 12 weekly sessions. This is an open and ongoing group, so you can join the group at any time.
How to sign up for our mental health day programs
To join any of our day programs you will need a referral from a psychiatrist. Referrals can be sent to [email protected]
A group facilitator may contact you for a pre-assessment to ensure the program is right for you.
Most of our day programs are skills-based, which means actively participating during sessions will ensure you get the most out of your treatment.
For more information
For more information on any of these programs please contact our Transitions Team on 03 9773 7000 or fill in the form below and someone will be in contact with you.
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