Medicine Assisted Therapy Gold Coast
At Conscious Mind Centre, we have developed novel Medicine Assisted Therapy protocols for Treatment-Resistant Depression (TRD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
What is Medicine Assisted Therapy?
Medicine Assisted Therapy is a transformative therapeutic journey spanning up to four months*. Our treatment protocol involves several individual therapy sessions, augmented by multiple 8-hour medicine sessions conducted in our clinic over the span of 4-months.
It has been likened to 20 years of therapy condensed into a few weeks. Unlike CBT talk therapy or standard anti-depressant pharmacological therapy, Medicine Assisted Therapy is a novel, non-directive, medicine augmented therapy delivered in a clinical setting. The treatment protocol is systematic but patient led. That means, Medicine Assisted Therapy is not delivered as a one-size fits all protocol, your journey through this treatment will be unique to you and be guided by your response to treatment throughout the protocol. Read more about Medicine Assisted Therapy here.
Who Delivers Medicine Assisted Therapy in Queensland?
Conscious Mind Centre is the first authorised clinic in Queensland to deliver Medicine Assisted Therapy. This treatment is delivered by a highly qualified, Medicine Assisted Therapy trained, multi-disciplinary team. Including a psychiatrist, clinical psychologist or clinical psychology registrar, registered psychologist, and mental health social workers. It is not a stand-alone pharmaceutical or microdosing home-based treatment; it involves a specialised, precise, and comprehensive therapeutic approach.
Safety and Clinical Evidence
Is it Safe?
Clinical trial data has shown significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, and remission after an 18-week treatment protocol whereby 67% of participants in the active medicine group no longer met diagnostic criteria on treatment completion, see the study here. Similarly, another clinical trial of patients with moderate-severe PTSD found that 71% of patients no longer met clinical criteria of PTSD upon completion of 18-weeks of treatment, see the study here.
Further clinical studies compared Medicine-therapy and SSRI medication and found no difference between groups after 6-weeks of treatment, however, at 6 month follow up showed the active medicine group experienced less rebound depressive severity, enhanced meaning in life and psychological connectedness. Read more here.
Medicine Assisted Therapy is not without risk, side effects, and the potential of no effect at all.
Patient safety and suitability is paramount in clinical Medicine Assisted Therapy and the sole reason the screening process is thorough. While Medicine Assisted Therapy has been shown it can be an effective treatment for TRD and PTSD, these outcomes can be attributed to adequate screening and specialised therapy training to facilitate this treatment.
What are Common Side-Effects?
Like any medicine, some people will respond well and some will not. This list of side-effects is not exhaustive but it covers the more common side-effects we have seen throughout the clinical trial research.
- Headache
- Jaw tension
- Anxiety
- Sweating
- Temporary reduction in appetite
- Increased thirst
- Slight increased heart-rate
- Nausea
These side-effects are transient and often remit within 24-48 hours of the medicine dose. Some occur during the active medicine experience, some develop in the couple hours following.
Treatment Process & Patient Journey
What is the Process?
We have included an infographic below to help you understand the process of accessing this treatment, all potential patients for Medicine Assisted Therapy need to be referred by their primary care team, GP, or psychiatrist. Alternatively, if you are still unsure use our Medicine Assisted Therapy decision tool here.
Eligibility Requirements
In Australia, to access Medicine Assisted Therapy you need to meet criteria set out by the TGA in order to be eligible for a referral. The TGA requires patients to:
- Have been diagnosed with Treatment Resistant Depression or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This can be previously diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist.
- Demonstrate a minimum of two unsuccessful courses of anti-depressant medication.
- Not currently pregnant or breast feeding.
- Have no personal or family history of psychotic disorders including Bipolar, Schizophrenia, or Psychosis – suspected, diagnosed, or treated. This includes first generation relatives (your parents, your siblings, aunts, and uncles) and second generation relatives (your grandparents and their siblings, including your great-aunts and great-uncles).
- Completion of the screening process and endorsement from the clinical Medicine Assisted Therapy team.
A referral for Medicine Assisted Therapy does not guarantee access to this treatment. A referral enables you to complete our screening process. In the instance you satisfy our screening process, you will then be offered the treatment protocol.
Investment & Funding Options Queensland
Cost Structure and Available Support
At Conscious Mind Centre, our comprehensive Medicine Assisted Therapy protocols from $16,500 AUD, whereas comparable treatments in Australia generally cost upwards of $35,000 AUD. Potential funding support options for this innovative PTSD and Treatment-Resistant Depression treatment include Department of Veterans Affairs support for eligible veterans, and philanthropic support programs for qualifying patients. All treatment costs, potential rebates, and third-party funding eligibility will be discussed transparently during your initial screening consultation at our Gold Coast facility.
If you would like more information about how to access Medicine Assisted Therapy, take our eligibility quiz today!.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Am I Eligible for Medicine Assisted Therapy?
Not all patients are eligible for Medicine Assisted Therapy, there are several criteria that need to be met to access this treatment. First criteria is the Australian Government TGA requirements, see above. If this is met, the second criteria is to satisfy our screening process.
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What is the Criteria for Medicine Assisted Therapy?
- You have been diagnosed with Treatment Resistant Depression or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This can be previously diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist.
- You can demonstrate two unsuccessful courses of anti-depressant medication.
- You are not currently pregnant or breast feeding.
- Completion of the screening process and endorsement from the clinical Psychedelic Assisted Therapy team.
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How much does Medicine Assisted Therapy Cost?
At Conscious Mind Centre, our comprehensive Medicine Assisted Therapy protocol starts from $16,500 AUD, while similar treatments in Australia typically cost upwards of $35,000 AUD.
What's Included in Our Medicine Assisted Therapy Cost:
- Pharmaceutical grade, TGA approved medicine
- Our specialised treatment protocol including:
- Personalised preparation therapy protocol
- Multiple* 8-hour supervised medicine dosing days (maximum 3 dosing days) at our Gold Coast clinic
- Personalised integration therapy protocol throughout the 4-month treatment
- Supported by our highly trained multi-disciplinary team (psychiatrist, clinical psychologist, registered psychologist)
Funding Support Options Available:
- Department of Veterans Affairs coverage for eligible veterans
- Philanthropic support options through Mind Medicine Australia may be available to eligible patients following successful Medicine Assisted Therapy screening processes
All treatment costs, potential rebates, and funding support options will be discussed transparently during your initial screening consultation.
Please note: All third-party funding is subject to independent eligibility criteria, application processes, and approval. Third-party funding decisions are independent of Conscious Mind Centre.
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What is the Difference between Medicine Assisted Therapy and Traditional Therapy?
Traditional therapy typically involves 1-to-1 clinical sessions lasting 50 minutes, often requiring months or years of treatment for conditions like PTSD and Treatment-Resistant Depression. Traditional approaches such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) follow structured, manualised protocols delivered through regular weekly appointments.
Medicine Assisted Therapy at our Queensland clinic combines medical protocols with innovative therapeutic techniques. While structured from a medical perspective, the therapy components are uniquely patient-guided based on individual responses during supervised treatment sessions.
The supervised 8-hour dosing days allow patients to access a deeper therapeutic state under clinical supervision at our Gold Coast facility. This approach has been described as "20 years of therapy condensed into a few weeks," offering breakthrough results for Treatment-Resistant Depression and PTSD that traditional therapy methods may not achieve.
Unlike traditional therapy, Medicine Assisted Therapy involves a multi-disciplinary team including psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and registered psychologists throughout the treatment protocol, ensuring comprehensive patient care and safety.
Our Queensland-based clinical team can help determine if Medicine Assisted Therapy is suitable for your specific mental health needs, particularly if traditional therapeutic approaches have been suboptimal in your recovery.
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How long does Medicine Assisted Therapy take to Work?
Conscious Mind Centre's comprehensive Medicine Assisted Therapy protocol spans up to 4 months following your initial screening assessment. However, many patients with PTSD and Treatment-Resistant Depression begin experiencing therapeutic breakthroughs within the first 1-2 dosing days.
In the clinical trial research, many patients report initial therapeutic insights during their first dosing day. However, the full therapeutic benefits of Medicine Assisted Therapy may continue developing throughout the entire treatment protocol.
While clinical trial data shows significant therapeutic outcomes for suitable candidates, Medicine Assisted Therapy outcomes vary between individuals. Our clinical team conducts thorough screening to identify patients most likely to benefit from this innovative treatment approach.
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How do I get a Referral for Medicine Assisted Therapy?
Getting a referral for Medicine Assisted Therapy at Conscious Mind Centre is straightforward. You can obtain a referral from your GP or your current treating psychiatrist for PTSD or Treatment-Resistant Depression treatment.
What to Tell Your Referring Doctor:
- You want a referral for Medicine Assisted Therapy for Treatment-Resistant Depression or PTSD
- You meet the eligibility criteria (two unsuccessful antidepressant courses, one type of talk therapy, and no family history of schizophrenia, bipolar, or psychosis)
- You're interested in treatment at Conscious Mind Centre's Gold Coast clinic
- You understand this is a privately paid comprehensive therapy protocol
Referral Process Steps:
- Book appointment with your GP or psychiatrist
- Discuss your interest in Medicine Assisted Therapy
- Provide information about our Queensland clinic and treatment approach
- Request referral letter addressed to 'PSYCHIATRIST at Conscious Mind Centre' - the referral does not need to be specifically addressed to a name but for Medicare rebates it must say psychiatrist
- Forward referral to our administration team for screening assessment
What if My Doctor Isn't Familiar with Medicine Assisted Therapy?
Our clinical team can provide educational materials about Medicine Assisted Therapy to referring practitioners. We're happy to discuss the treatment protocol with your doctor to ensure they're comfortable with the referral process.
Next Steps After Referral:
Once we receive your referral, our team will contact you within 48 hours to schedule your initial screening appointments and begin the comprehensive assessment process for Medicine Assisted Therapy eligibility.
Contact our Gold Coast administration team if you need assistance with the referral process or have questions about working with your current healthcare provider.
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Is Medicine Assisted Therapy Covered by Private Health Insurance?
Currently, most private health insurers in Australia don't yet cover Medicine Assisted Therapy for PTSD and Treatment-Resistant Depression. However, as this breakthrough trauma therapy becomes more accessible nationwide, we anticipate private health insurance coverage will expand.
Current Insurance Developments:
- Medibank Private is actively exploring coverage options for Medicine Assisted Therapy
- Several major insurers are reviewing policies for innovative mental health treatments
- Coverage may vary by policy level and treatment indication
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How do I Prepare for Medicine Assisted Therapy Sessions?
From screening to treatment protocol completion, you'll receive comprehensive guidance at each step of your Medicine Assisted Therapy journey at Conscious Mind Centre. We understand preparing for breakthrough trauma therapy can feel overwhelming, which is why our Gold Coast clinical team provides detailed preparation support.
Preparing for Medicine Assisted Therapy dosing days includes:
- Completing your precision preparation therapy sessions with our qualified psychologists
- Pre-treatment lifestyle guidelines and recommendations
- Mindfulness and grounding techniques specific to your treatment plan
- Detailed dosing-day protocols for optimal therapeutic outcomes
On your treatment day, we recommend a light breakfast, adequate hydration, and meditation practices to prepare your mind and body for the transformative Medicine Assisted Therapy experience. Our team will guide you through every preparation step to ensure you feel confident and supported throughout your PTSD or Treatment-Resistant Depression treatment protocol.
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Can my Partner be Involved in the Medicine Assisted Therapy Screening Process?
Absolutely! We encourage partner involvement throughout your Medicine Assisted Therapy journey in Queensland. Your partner can participate in the initial screening consultation to help our clinical team assess your safety and suitability for treatment.
Partner support during the screening process often improves treatment outcomes for PTSD and Treatment-Resistant Depression patients. We'll discuss the best ways your partner can support you from the initial assessment through your complete therapy protocol at our Gold Coast clinic.