Military-related trauma recovery program

A structured, DVA-approved mental health treatment program for veterans delivered at Avive Clinic Brisbane.

Avive’s Military-Related Trauma Recovery Program (MRTRP) is a DVA-approved, structured day program developed specifically for eligible veterans living with diagnosed PTSD.

Delivered by clinicians experienced in understanding and treating military-related trauma and the psychological impacts of service, transition and identity, the program combines evidence-based therapies with a clearly defined 12-month supported recovery pathway designed to support sustainable recovery and functional reintegration.

MRTRP provides a coordinated, staged recovery model with embedded relapse prevention and structured long-term clinical follow-up.

The program can work in conjunction with a veteran’s usual clinicians, providing a specialised service to complement treatment as usual, or it may be undertaken as a stand-alone program.

When this program may be appropriate

MRTRP may be suitable for veterans who:

  • Have a diagnosis of PTSD, or are suspected of having PTSD

  • Would benefit from a structured and intensive trauma-focused treatment phase

  • Are appropriate for a day program setting and able to attend a structured treatment program with other veterans

  • Are stepping down from inpatient care or may require step-up support if risk escalates

If inpatient stabilisation becomes clinically necessary, clear step-up and step-down pathways exist within Avive’s veteran mental health services to support continuity of care.

Program structure

Participants are supported through a defined 12-month recovery pathway designed to provide continuity of care and ongoing clinical follow-up.

A comprehensive initial assessment with a senior clinician is required to determine suitability and develop an individual treatment plan.

Intensive treatment phase

  • 6 weeks
  • 4 days per week
  • 8:30am – 3:30pm


Relapse prevention phase

  • 6 weeks
  • 1 day per week

Clinical follow-up

  • One-day review at 3 months
  • One-day review at 9 months

Veteran only cohort

Groups are closed and comprise a maximum of nine veterans, providing a structured and supportive environment with others who share similar experiences.

Clinical approach

Weekly individual trauma-focused therapy is embedded throughout the program, ensuring personalised treatment alongside structured group work.

The group component is delivered within cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) frameworks, targeting the core pillars of PTSD:

  • Re-experiencing symptoms
  • Avoidance
  • Hyperarousal
  • Changes in cognition and mood

The program also addresses Complex PTSD symptoms, including:

  • Emotional dysregulation
  • Interpersonal difficulties
  • Negative self-concept

Participants develop practical skills to support improvements in:

  • Sleep
  • Anger management
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Moral injury
  • Problematic alcohol and drug use

Individual therapy aligns with Australian best practice trauma guidelines and may incorporate:

  • Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)
  • Prolonged exposure (PE)
  • Cognitive processing therapy (CPT)

The program is designed to support functional recovery, emotional regulation and community reintegration.

Where appropriate and with consent, partner involvement may be included, and pastoral support is available for veterans experiencing moral injury.


Eligibility and funding

The program is available for:

  • Eligible veterans

  • Anyone who has served at least one day in the Australian Defence Force

Funding pathways may include:

  • DVA Gold Card
  • DVA White Card (with PTSD coverage)
  • Other approved funding pathways where applicable

Our intake team can assist veterans and referrers to clarify eligibility and funding arrangements.

Support may also be available for participants travelling from regional areas, including:

  • Regional transfer assistance
  • Accommodation support where appropriate.


Referrals and enquiries

We welcome referrals from:

  • General practitioners
  • Psychiatrists
  • Psychologists and other health professionals
  • Veteran support organisations and agencies

Referrers may submit a referral and clinical summary or contact our intake team to discuss suitability.

Veterans, partners and families are also welcome to contact us for a confidential discussion.

Complete and submit referral form by email to [email protected]


Contact us

Avive Clinic Brisbane Day Programs
16 Bryden Street, Windsor QLD 4030
P  07 3110 2405
E  [email protected]

Clinical information on this page is general in nature and does not replace medical advice. Treatment plans are individualised based on clinical assessment and may vary between patients.