Resourcing Mindful Self-Management Skills in Tasmania
Tracks
Grand Ballroom 3 - In-Person Only
| Friday, November 7, 2025 |
| 8:55 AM - 9:15 AM |
Overview
Dr Tracy Spencer and Christine Hiltner, Mindfulness Programs Australasia
Presenter
Christine Hiltner
Co Founder/Director of Mindfulness Programs Australasia
Mindfulness Programs Australasia
Resourcing Mindful Self-Management Skills in Tasmania
Presentation Overview
Mindfulness Programs Australasia formed 9 years ago, responding to a need for evidence-based preventative programs for supporting those with low intensity mental health needs, in particular those experiencing stress, anxiety or depression. They received funding from Primary Health Tasmania to offer the well researched and evidence based MBSR and MBCT courses to meet this need for self-regulation and stress reduction skill development, and a charter to provide face to face and online services group courses throughout all areas of Tasmania, including urban, rural and remote communities in South, Central, North and North West Tasmania.
The presentation will describe strategies for delivering these programs across diverse demographics and locations, and throughout the pandemic, and how a high quality workforce has been maintained. Inhouse research will be presented indicating effectiveness levels, and thematic feedback, summarised below. Future directions to engage marginalised or under represented groups with Mindfulness practices will be discussed.
Key outcomes:
1. Group format, free access and the easy to follow progression of the course supported good engagement over the 4 and 8 week formats
2. Learning skills and being able to discuss experiences of using them helped reinforce the self-led practices
3. Teachers play a key role in creating safety in the learning environment
4. Group format normalised experiences of mental health challenges
5. Key outcomes included: improvement in general wellbeing (pre and post measurement with K10 and qualitative feedback); learning and implementing self-management and stress management skills; reduction in reactivity; changes in thinking habits; improved self care
6. Future strategies to increase the participation of men, CALD, and sexual and neuro diversities will benefit from codesign conversations
7. Creative use of funding opportunities to provide booster and practice sessions will support the maintenance of mindfulness and self care practices as lifestyle integrations
The presentation will describe strategies for delivering these programs across diverse demographics and locations, and throughout the pandemic, and how a high quality workforce has been maintained. Inhouse research will be presented indicating effectiveness levels, and thematic feedback, summarised below. Future directions to engage marginalised or under represented groups with Mindfulness practices will be discussed.
Key outcomes:
1. Group format, free access and the easy to follow progression of the course supported good engagement over the 4 and 8 week formats
2. Learning skills and being able to discuss experiences of using them helped reinforce the self-led practices
3. Teachers play a key role in creating safety in the learning environment
4. Group format normalised experiences of mental health challenges
5. Key outcomes included: improvement in general wellbeing (pre and post measurement with K10 and qualitative feedback); learning and implementing self-management and stress management skills; reduction in reactivity; changes in thinking habits; improved self care
6. Future strategies to increase the participation of men, CALD, and sexual and neuro diversities will benefit from codesign conversations
7. Creative use of funding opportunities to provide booster and practice sessions will support the maintenance of mindfulness and self care practices as lifestyle integrations
Biography
Christine is a Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction and Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy Teacher, Yoga Instructor and Social Worker with nearly 50 years working in the Human Services Industry.
Christine has additional training in Yoga for Trauma, Anxiety and Depression, along with Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness.
Christine has worked extensively in rural remote settings, with families and individuals for Mental Wellbeing, Addictions and Family and Domestic Violence. Trained in Community Developement she also designs educational and wellbeing programs within these domains. Christine focuses on the mind body connection for healing, using strengths based and person centered approaches for assisting people to enable their own capacities for engaging fully in life. Christine is a Co-Foundrer and Director of Mindfulness Programs Australasia, based in Tasmania, Australia.
Dr Tracy Spencer
Teacher/director/owner/psychologist
Mindfulness Programs Australasia
Resourcing Mindful Self-Management Skills in Tasmania
Presentation Overview
Mindfulness Programs Australasia formed 9 years ago, responding to a need for evidence-based preventative programs for supporting those with low intensity mental health needs, in particular those experiencing stress, anxiety or depression. They received funding from Primary Health Tasmania to offer the well researched and evidence based MBSR and MBCT courses to meet this need for self-regulation and stress reduction skill development, and a charter to provide face to face and online services group courses throughout all areas of Tasmania, including urban, rural and remote communities in South, Central, North and North West Tasmania.
The presentation will describe strategies for delivering these programs across diverse demographics and locations, and throughout the pandemic, and how a high quality workforce has been maintained. Inhouse research will be presented indicating effectiveness levels, and thematic feedback, summarised below. Future directions to engage marginalised or under represented groups with Mindfulness practices will be discussed.
Key outcomes:
1. Group format, free access and the easy to follow progression of the course supported good engagement over the 4 and 8 week formats
2. Learning skills and being able to discuss experiences of using them helped reinforce the self-led practices
3. Teachers play a key role in creating safety in the learning environment
4. Group format normalised experiences of mental health challenges
5. Key outcomes included: improvement in general wellbeing (pre and post measurement with K10 and qualitative feedback); learning and implementing self-management and stress management skills; reduction in reactivity; changes in thinking habits; improved self care
6. Future strategies to increase the participation of men, CALD, and sexual and neuro diversities will benefit from codesign conversations
7. Creative use of funding opportunities to provide booster and practice sessions will support the maintenance of mindfulness and self care practices as lifestyle integrations
The presentation will describe strategies for delivering these programs across diverse demographics and locations, and throughout the pandemic, and how a high quality workforce has been maintained. Inhouse research will be presented indicating effectiveness levels, and thematic feedback, summarised below. Future directions to engage marginalised or under represented groups with Mindfulness practices will be discussed.
Key outcomes:
1. Group format, free access and the easy to follow progression of the course supported good engagement over the 4 and 8 week formats
2. Learning skills and being able to discuss experiences of using them helped reinforce the self-led practices
3. Teachers play a key role in creating safety in the learning environment
4. Group format normalised experiences of mental health challenges
5. Key outcomes included: improvement in general wellbeing (pre and post measurement with K10 and qualitative feedback); learning and implementing self-management and stress management skills; reduction in reactivity; changes in thinking habits; improved self care
6. Future strategies to increase the participation of men, CALD, and sexual and neuro diversities will benefit from codesign conversations
7. Creative use of funding opportunities to provide booster and practice sessions will support the maintenance of mindfulness and self care practices as lifestyle integrations
Biography
Tracy Spencer is a Registered Psychologist and Mindfulness Facilitator , teaching with MPA since 2018, and has deliver ed culturally informed- and trauma-informed therapy and community development in rural and remote Tasmania, South Australia, Northern Territory, NSW and Queensland for over 30 years. She is Director of HomeCountry Pty Ltd, and owner of MPA.
Christine Hiltner (BSW, Prof Hons Human Services) has worked in the Human Services for 50 years, including Zen Wellbeing Services and Yoga for You. Trained internationally in Mindfulness and yoga, Christine formed a partnership with Miranda Stephens in 2016 to create Mindfulness Programs Australasia.
