Cabrini’s pioneering mental health care program has now treated 1,000 women and its evidence-based treatment programs continue to result in strong patient outcomes. Approximately 88% of all patients have not needed to be re-admitted and gone on to improve their mental health and their lives as a result.

As the first women-only mental health facility in Australia, Cabrini’s Lisa Thurin Women’s Health Centre in Elsternwick offers gender-sensitive, acute care for conditions such as PTSD, burn-out, mood disorders and addiction. A significant 70% of its patients have experienced trauma from domestic violence.

Founding Medical Director of the Lisa Thurin Women’s Health Centre, Professor Jayashri Kulkarni AM, said: “There is urgent need for gender-specific approaches, especially around the domestic violence crisis. Women are too often provided generic care that does not adequately support their unique needs.”

Unlike other private mental health facilities, Cabrini’s service can be accessed via direct GP referral (no psychiatrist appointment required) and this month Cabrini expanded its day program to make it available to the wider community. Dr Lisa Albert has been appointed as the new clinical director.

Sharon Sherwood, Cabrini’s Chief of Mental Health and Outreach, said: “Our facility empowers women to achieve lasting well-being without the limitations often found in traditional mental health systems.”

“Our community program has been really popular with our inpatients, so it was a natural progression to extend it to the wider community – facilitating greater accessibility to specialised care and aiding women in their journey towards recovery and healing,” said Sherwood.

The newly launched Community Program offers a variety of therapies and programs including a Women’s Health Program, Art Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Living Well with ADHD, Interpersonal Psychotherapy and a Premenstrual Dysphoric Disorder (PMDD) Program.

The therapeutic groups are compact and intimate, typically consisting of up to 12 participants. This size allows for personal attention, ensuring everyone’s needs are met.

To make a referral please fill out the online referral form, or for more information please email wmh@cabrini.com.au or phone (03) 9508 5100.