This session will provide an overview of the content, science and mechanisms for evidence-based mindfulness courses for stress, anxiety, depression and chronic pain. It will also explore when and how to recommend this intervention for patients presenting with mental health and chronic pain concerns. The presenters are GPs and Psychologists, with specialities in mental health clinical practice and chronic pain management.
Learning Outcomes:
- Describe what mindfulness is and why it’s used in clinical practice
- Understand how mindfulness works
- Identify and recommend when a mindfulness program is appropriate and what to expect of the content
- Explain key concepts of modern pain neuroscience and apply this understanding to improve communication and management strategies for patients with persistent pain.
RACGP and ACRRM CPD pending
Speaker information:
Dr Tracy Spencer is a registered Psychologist with speciality in trauma, Mindfulness Teacher and current Director of Mindfulness Programs Australasia, a Tasmanian business that has been funded by PHT to deliver evidence-based Mindfulness programs across Tasmanian since 2017. Tracy has 8 years experience teaching mindfulness courses with MPA, and over 35 years delivering therapeutic services across the lifespan, particularly in rural and remote areas of Australia.
Miranda Stephens is a Clinical Psychologist, internationally accredited Mindfulness Teacher and a co-founder of Mindfulness Programs Australasia. Miranda has 15 years of experience creating and teaching mindfulness based programs for self-care and mental health across Tasmania and online. Miranda is passionate about equity of access to mental health services in rural areas and the power of group programs to enhance wellbeing.
Dr Jane Cooper is a long time GP in Devonport. She manages her own practice and has used mindfulness techniques to assist in the leadership role of running a business , managing staff, patients and a family of 6! She is local graduate and is well connected to her community where she grew up. This has proven to be useful when trying to encourage patients and staff to consider mindfulness type therapies for their own self-care and well-being, especially at a time when everyone is looking for a magic pill to fix things.
Dr Adele Stewart has been a GP in the Illawarra region since the early 1990s and was the fifth GP in Australia to be awarded RACGP Recognition of Extended Skills in Psychological Medicine. She is the current Chair of the RACGP Specific Interest Pain Management group and has a particular interest in the mind-body aspect of chronic pain. In 2024, alongside Openground director Tim Goddard, she co-developed Pain to Peace, a course integrating modern pain science with mindfulness practice. Mindfulness & Pain Explained – Dr. Adele Stewart
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