Midland Women's Health Care Place
Counselling
Our short term, one on one therapeutic counselling service is charged at approximately 5% of commercial cost. The significantly reduced cost of counselling enables women who are financially disadvantaged to access sorely needed support and guidance from a professional, qualified counsellor.
In 2007 - 2008 MWHCP provided an average of 69 individual counselling sessions a month. Of these sessions the most common issues identified during counselling were Stress, Childhood Issues, Relationships and Anxiety.
MWHCP provides counselling services for women of all ages from 16 to 100. In the past year most commonly our services were required by women aged 25 to 35 years.
Perinatal Depression (PND) Program
Midland Women’s Health Care Place provides a specialist program addressing the needs of families who are experiencing stress, anxiety and/or depression during pregnancy and after the birth of a baby.
The Perinatal Depression Program was established to enable women to seek health information, access health resources, meet and discuss issues and receive support in decision making. Our aim is to empower and enable women to take control of and make decisions about their health and lives in a confident and informed way in an environment which is comfortable and caring.
Women who come to MWHCP who fit the criteria for PND are booked in for an evaluation with a counsellor. A decision is then made, between client and counsellor, whether the woman requires individual counselling, therapy group or the support group. individual counselling may be weekly, fortnightly or as determined by the client and can be run in conjunction with either of the groups.
The PND Therapy group runs for nine weekly sessions and addresses a wide range of issues associated with anxiety, stress and depression during pregnancy and after the birth of a baby. In addition to weekly therapeutic support the group also incorporates three partner’s evenings during the 9 weeks. Partner’s evenings are an opportunity for the Parent’s to have their issues addressed as a family unit and also foster better communication between couples and encourage support networks among people experiencing similar challenges in life.
The PND Program has experienced significant growth over the past 12 months and as such MWHCP has now taken on a new PND Coordinator to help develop the program, increase community awareness and raise funds to help continue this vital community service.
Women Recovering Program (PTSD)
Towards the end of 2007 MWHCP applied for funding from the Criminal Property Confiscation Act 2000 Grant Program and was successful in the application. The funding meant MWHCP would be able to provide a Therapeutic Program called the ‘Women Recovering Project’ and individual counselling to women who had experienced crime-related trauma.
During the period of January to June 2008 a considerable amount of time was dedicated to researching the impact of trauma on women. As a result of the research conducted a Therapeutic Program was written with the intention to achieve the following outcomes:
- A long term therapeutic approach to recovery from crime related Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
- Reduction of symptoms of crime related PTSD for victims, specifically being easily startled flashbacks and difficulty in returning to the place where the trauma was experienced (or similar places).
- Prevention of hospitalisation for severe stress related mental health difficulties.
- Reduction in risk taking behaviours including attempted suicide, self harm, use of illegal drugs and choice of relationships.
- Increase in community safety for individuals and families in the program and for the community in general due to less risky behaviours.
- Healthier family relationships as women learn improved communication skills.
- Engagement in the community through goal setting and access to and involvement in healthy options, such as MWHCP courses and groups.
- An improvement in social cohesion and social skills.
The indicators of success will be establishing the Therapeutic groups and maintaining the numbers of women participating in the Program, with new participants proceeding through the program. Success will involve determining whether the women are self-reporting better ability to cope, lower levels of stress, depression and anxiety as well as a reduction in PTSD symptoms. Success will also be determined through the participation of ‘Women Recovering’ in the ‘Women without Limits workshops’, which will provide an opportunity to face fears and experience physical activity in a supported environment.
Midland Women’s Health Care Place is looking forward to providing this invaluable program to women who have experienced trauma that is crime-related. The centre has identified the need to provide a professional service that will enable women to understand better how trauma impacts on women and what constructive strategies can be utilised in order to improve everyday functioning.
Opening Hours
Mon: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Tue: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Wed: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Thu: 9:00am - 4:00pm
Fri: 9:00am - 4:00pm
