If depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder keeps circling back to the same unhelpful thoughts, no matter how much you already understand about your own condition, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is often the missing piece. Deakin Private Hospital's CBT for Mood and Anxiety Disorders program is a structured, evidence-based day program in Canberra built around exactly that gap between insight and lasting change.
In short: CBT for Mood and Anxiety Disorders is an eight-week, weekly group day program at Deakin Private Hospital for people managing depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. Sessions are led by qualified Allied Health Professionals and focus on cognitive restructuring and behavioural activation, with practice between sessions and no overnight stay required. A referral from a GP to a psychiatrist with admitting rights at Deakin Private Hospital is required to begin.
This program suits people who want better control over depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder, who notice the same unhelpful thought patterns affecting their daily functioning, and who are ready to learn practical skills for change rather than simply talking through symptoms. It is delivered as a day program, so you attend sessions and return home the same day rather than being admitted overnight.
Across eight weekly group sessions, you will work through the connection between thoughts, feelings and behaviour, learn to identify unhelpful self-talk and challenge distorted beliefs, and build skills in cognitive restructuring, behavioural activation and mood monitoring. Later sessions turn to relapse prevention and longer-term strategies for managing core beliefs and emotions. Groups are facilitated by qualified Allied Health Professionals, and you will be expected to practise skills between sessions and bring that experience back to the group.
The program includes structured education, workbooks for reflection and exercises, action plans for applying new skills in daily life, progress-tracking questionnaires, and check-in support between sessions, alongside additional resources as needed.
A valid referral from a medical practitioner to a psychiatrist with admitting rights at Deakin Private Hospital is required before you can join the program. As a day patient program, attendance can typically be claimed through your private health fund; any out-of-pocket costs will depend on your level of cover, which our team can confirm before you start.
Do I need to be admitted to hospital to do this program?
No. CBT for Mood and Anxiety Disorders is a day patient program, so you attend sessions and go home the same day.
Will this program work alongside my current psychiatrist or GP?
Yes. A referral from your GP to a psychiatrist with admitting rights at Deakin Private Hospital is how the program is accessed, and your broader care team stays involved throughout.
What conditions is this program suitable for?
The program is designed for people managing depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder who want to build practical skills alongside their existing treatment.
If unhelpful thought patterns keep getting in the way of managing depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder, ask your GP about a referral to Deakin Private Hospital. To find out more about the program or confirm your place, contact our team on 02 5114 8100 or by email at deakin.private@imh.com.au.
