Baldivis Family Medical Centre to launch group therapy program in August

Baldivis Family Medical Centre will add an evidence-based group therapy program for adults with mild-to-moderate psychological distress starting in August. The closed, referral-based service will use CBT, routine outcome tracking and Medicare-supported pathways for eligible patients. Why it matters: - The new program expands access to structured mental health care in Baldivis for adults who need support before symptoms become more severe. - The clinic is pairing therapy with routine screening tools, which can help track progress and adjust care. - Medicare eligibility may lower the cost barrier for patients who qualify under a Mental Health Treatment Plan. What happened: - Baldivis Family Medical Centre announced the launch of a clinical Group Therapy Program set to begin in August. - The program will be co-facilitated by registered psychologists Dr Guillaume Walters-du Plooy and Dr Lakers Komaiya. - The clinic says the service is designed for local adults managing mild-to-moderate psychological distress. - The program uses a closed-group model with eight consecutive weekly sessions of 90 minutes each. - Group size will be limited to four to 10 participants. The details: - The curriculum is manualised and built around evidence-based Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy techniques. - Weekly modules will cover psychoeducation and cognitive restructuring. - The curriculum also includes behavioural activation and goal setting. - Additional sessions will focus on mindfulness, relaxation and localised problem-solving. - The final module will cover relapse prevention and long-term maintenance planning. - Participants will complete PHQ-9, DASS-21 and GAD-7 questionnaires at intake and during the program. - Baldivis Family Medical Centre says the questionnaires are used to track baseline severity and progress. - Dr Guillaume Walters-du Plooy is described as a registered psychologist with experience in corporate health and private practice. - Dr Walters-du Plooy’s clinical focus includes mood and anxiety disorders, stress mitigation, eating disorders and relapse patterns. - Dr Lakers Komaiya specialises in adolescent and adult mental health. - Dr Komaiya is a First-Class Honours graduate in psychology, is registered with AHPRA and is a Fellow of the College of Clinical Psychologists. - Baldivis Family Medical Centre says Dr Komaiya also works with culturally diverse populations and is an author and media contributor. - Participation requires a valid referral from a GP or psychiatrist. - Patients with a current Mental Health Treatment Plan can claim Medicare benefits for up to 10 group therapy services per calendar year. - Patients not using a Medicare pathway still need a formal GP referral under the clinic’s intake protocol. - The clinic operates seven days a week and has more than 21 on-site clinicians. - The center integrates primary care, specialist care and diagnostic services. - Residents can visit more information or contact the clinic’s administration team for intake screening and eligibility questions. - Baldivis Family Medical Centre is located at 19 Settlers Avenue in Western Australia. - The facility offers extended hours seven days a week and provides family medicine, allied health, specialised psychological services and diagnostic infrastructure. Between the lines: - The launch signals a shift toward more structured, outcome-tracked mental health services inside a primary care setting. - A closed-group format can improve continuity and privacy, but it also makes access more limited than open-enrollment therapy. - Requiring referrals and aligning with Medicare rules suggests the clinic is building the program to fit standard care pathways rather than offering an ad hoc wellness class. What’s next: - The first cohort is scheduled to start in August. - Prospective participants will need referral and eligibility screening before joining. - The clinic is directing residents to contact administration or use its website for intake and Medicare-related questions. - Further rollout details may follow as the program opens to patients. The bottom line: - Baldivis Family Medical Centre is adding a tightly structured group therapy service that blends CBT, monitoring and referral-based access for patients who need stepped-up mental health support.