Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Trauma Recovery (MBSR-tr)

3 Programs in 2025

8 Weeks, Live Online, with a 3 night in-person retreat. With Kate Duncan and Psychologist Lisa Brown, in partnership with Frontline Yoga and funded by the DVA.

MBSR for Trauma Recovery
in partnership with Frontline Yoga

with Lisa Brown and Kate Duncan 

Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction for Trauma Recovery (MBSR-tr)  is a training program designed to cultivate the skills of mindfulness and compassion for trauma recovery. Each program will be conducted over eight weekly online sessions and an in person three-day retreat.

We have received DVA grant funding for three 8-week programs in 2025 with the first program beginning in April 2025. ***Course #1 is for Victorian Residents only. 

Course 1:  

Orientation via zoom on the 10th April 5pm (AEDT).

Thursdays from 5-7:30pm (AEDT) from 24th April – 12th June ON ZOOM

Retreat to be held 22 May through to 25 May with the 3 nights in a centre in Healesville Victoria. Must be a resident of Victoria to apply.

BOOK PROGRAM 1 NOW: https://app.acuityscheduling.com/schedule.php?owner=21241192&appointmentType=71256762

Course 2. 

Monday 5 – 7:30 (AEDT) from 9 June- 28 July ON ZOOM

Retreat 12 to 15 July near Darwin. Anyone can apply as long as they are willing to travel for retreat. 

Course 3:

Monday 5 -7:30 pm (AEDT)  from 15 September – 3 Nov ON ZOOM

Retreat 11 to 14 October in Healesville VIC. Anyone can apply as long as they are willing to travel for retreat. 

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Eligibility Criteria:
Current or ex-serving defence member, able to attend the in person retreat.

Course Information:

Valued at $2500, with grant funding cost to participant: $375 (may be able to be covered by insurance providers)

Course Inclusions:

  • Workbook
  • Recorded practices
  • Yoga Mat
  • Eye pillow
  • T-Shirt
  • Accommodation + main meals
  • Additional support if required

Exclusions

  • Travel & Transport to retreat
  • Sundries

About MBSR-tr

Lisa and Kate together adapted and created Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction for Trauma Recovery (MBSR-tr) which over four years has consistently shown significant reductions in symptoms of PTSD, Depression and Anxiety as well as increases in a sense of Wellbeing. Both Lisa and Kate are both qualified, experienced facilitators in the fields of Psychology, Trauma Recovery, Mindfulness and Compassion Meditation and Trauma Sensitive Yoga. 

MBSR-tr has been developed from the innovative work of Jon Kabat Zinn, and began at the University of Massachusetts Medical School in 1979. A large body of research has demonstrated consistently profound effects on health and wellbeing, including reductions in depression, anxiety and chronic pain.

The MBSR-tr program has been adapted specifically for trauma recovery.

This course will aim to teach participants to:

  • Practice trauma sensitive mindfulness in daily life.
  • Understand, experientially, the empirically supported benefits of mindfulness for trauma recovery.
  • Develop a greater understanding of the mind, body, and emotions.
  • Handle difficult emotions with ease.
  • Transform destructive emotional patterns and challenging relationships.
  • Approach difficulty with equanimity.
  • Learn skills and tools to support deep relaxation.
  • Develop a regular mindfulness meditation practice.

MBSR-tr is suitable for anyone who wishes to cultivate these skills. As well as offering evidence-based practices for trauma recovery, this training is helpful to prevent burnout and enhance wellbeing.

The MBSR Programme has benefited thousands of people around the world who report a variety of conditions and concerns including:

  • Stress Related Life Issues – Work, school, family, financial, illness, ageing, grief, uncertainty about the future and feeling ’out of control’.
  • Medical conditions – Chronic illness, chronic pain, high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, coronary heart disease, asthma, skin disorders and many other conditions
  • Psychological distress – Anxiety, trauma, depression, fatigue and sleep disturbances
  • Prevention and Wellbeing – Enhancement of health and wellbeing that encourages a deeper sense of equanimity in ourselves and our relationships.
  • This programme is challenging and life-affirming. Participating in MBSR-tr requires an ongoing commitment to yourself.

MBSR-tr sessions include meditation training and practice, short talks, experiential exercises, small and large group discussion, gentle yoga/mindful movement and home practices. MBSR-tr will involve eight 2.5 to 3 hour online training sessions and one three night trauma-sensitive mindfulness and yoga retreat focused completely on individual practice

The course is aimed at anyone who has worked on the frontlines, where trauma is common, such as but not limited to police, fire, ambulance, military, health or criminal justice systems. There is no requirement for participants to have experienced significant trauma, anyone can join. The course is an excellent preventive model in addition to being a trauma recovery tool.

This program is run mostly on grant funding. A small fee is required to join. This may be covered by insurance if required.

Kate is an Insight Dharma Teacher, a Trauma-Sensitive Mindfulness and Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction teacher, and an E-RYT 500 Yoga Instructor. Kate facilitates silent meditation retreats, women’s retreats and leads mindfulness-based trauma recovery programs for frontline workers. She has been a practitioner of meditation for 15 years and has sat (and facilitated) over 40 retreats in the Western Insight tradition of up to 30 days in length.

As a former Firefighter Paramedic and Intensive Care Paramedic, Kate deeply understands the stress, anxiety, burn out and post traumatic stress that can accompany a frontline workers life. She is most interested in exploring how frontline workers can return to a place of safety, ease and wellbeing in the world, regardless of what they have experienced.  

Kate has been deeply influenced by the role of mindfulness of the body, yoga and breath in her own recovery journey and is deeply passionate about sharing these body based practices.

Lisa Brown is a Registered Psychologist, Yoga Teacher, Certified Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Teacher (Brown University, USA), Mindful Self-Compassion Facilitator and Insight Dharma Teacher. She is dedicated to helping people connect with their innate capacity for healing and wellbeing through practices which integrate ancient wisdom and modern science for trauma recovery.

As an Adjunct Lecturer at Charles Sturt University, Lisa taught mindfulness and retreats for post-graduate students and has a deep interest in the conjunction of western science, Buddhadharma and earth-based wisdom traditions in health, healing and trauma recovery. Lisa has 20 years experience as a psychologist and currently works in private practice in Coffs Harbour NSW. She has experience working with the NSW Sexual Assault Service, Child Protection, Family Therapy, Aboriginal Health and Diabetes. Her training as a Yoga Teacher provides an integration of somatic healing practices with mindfulness and wellbeing to support trauma recovery. 

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Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction for Trauma Recovery

8 Weeks, Live Online, with Kate Duncan and Psychologist Lisa Brown