Outpatients
Outpatient Day Therapy Programs
Not every patient requires hospital admission to benefit from structured mental health care. For many people, outpatient programs provide the right balance of support, flexibility, and independence. At Sunshine Clinic Private Hospital, our outpatient day programs are designed to help patients build practical coping skills, manage symptoms, and strengthen resilience while continuing to live at home and maintain daily routines.
Coordinated by our Consultant Psychiatrists and team doctors, and delivered by our experienced Psychologists and Allied Health team, our programs combine evidence-based therapies with a recovery-oriented, person-centred approach. Whether you are living with depression, anxiety, trauma, or adjustment difficulties, our outpatient services provide a safe, structured pathway to healing.
Why Outpatient Care is Effective
Outpatient services allow patients to:
1
Access therapy in a structured program without the need for overnight admission.
2
Receive support from experienced clinicians while continuing family, work, or study commitments.
3
Learn evidence-based strategies in a supportive, group-based environment.
4
Maintain continuity of care after discharge from inpatient treatment.
5
Prevent relapse and strengthen recovery through ongoing support.
For many, outpatient care is the most practical and empowering way to manage mental health conditions, offering a strong bridge between hospital care and everyday life.
Outpatient Programs & Therapy Modalities at Sunshine Clinic
Our outpatient clinical services include a wide range of programs, each tailored to address specific mental health concerns. Patients may be referred directly into these programs, or step down from inpatient care into outpatient support as part of their recovery journey.
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT)
- Focuses on the connection between thoughts, feelings, and behaviours.
- Helps patients recognise unhelpful thinking patterns, challenge negative beliefs, and build healthier coping strategies.
- Evidence-based for depression, anxiety, trauma, substance use, and adjustment disorders.
Acceptance & Commitment Therapy (ACT)
- Encourages acceptance of difficult emotions while committing to actions aligned with personal values.
- Teaches mindfulness and resilience, reducing avoidance and promoting purposeful living.
- Effective for mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, personality disorders, and substance use.
Mindfulness Therapy
- Teaches present-moment awareness, self-compassion, and non-judgemental acceptance of experiences.
- Helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depressive symptoms.
- Shown to prevent relapse in recurrent depression and support trauma recovery.
Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT)
- Combines CBT techniques with mindfulness and distress tolerance.
- Supports individuals who experience intense emotions, self-harm, or relationship difficulties.
- The gold standard treatment for borderline personality disorder, also effective for trauma and substance use.
Music & Movement Therapy
- Uses rhythm, sound, and gentle movement as tools for expression and healing.
- Provides non-verbal ways to explore emotions, calm the nervous system, and reconnect with others.
- Suitable for mood disorders, anxiety, trauma, and older adults seeking creative, supportive therapy.
Creative Arts Therapy
- Offers a safe outlet for emotions through drawing, painting, sculpture, and collage.
- Focuses on the process of creation, not artistic ability, making it accessible to all.
- Evidence supports benefits for depression, trauma, adjustment disorders, and personality disorders.
Addictive Disorders Program
- Addresses mild-to-moderate alcohol, prescription medication, or illicit drug use.
- Focuses on the link between mental health and substance use, relapse prevention, and values-driven recovery.
- Delivered through individual and group sessions, with integration of CBT, ACT, and mindfulness.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Program
- Provides structured, trauma-informed therapy for people living with PTSD and complex trauma.
- Includes trauma-focused CBT, mindfulness, DBT, and creative therapies.
- Tailored support for veterans, emergency service workers, and others affected by traumatic events.
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)
- A non-invasive brain stimulation therapy for depression and other conditions resistant to standard treatment.
- Uses magnetic pulses to stimulate brain areas linked to mood regulation.
- Safe, well-tolerated, and available to both inpatients and outpatients.
Evidence for Outpatient Programs
Outpatient day programs are supported by strong evidence in Australia and internationall
Depression & Anxiety
Personality Disorders
Trauma & PTSD
Trauma-focused therapies, including CBT and mindfulness, are internationally recognised as the most effective treatments.
Substance Use
Integrated outpatient programs addressing both addiction and mental health significantly improve long-term recovery outcomes.
Creative Therapies
Repetitive Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (rTMS)
Why Choose Sunshine Clinic Private Hospital for Outpatient Care
At Sunshine Clinic Private Hospital, we are committed to providing more than just treatment — we offer a supportive environment where patients feel understood, respected, and empowered. Our outpatient programs are:
- Delivered by an experienced multidisciplinary team.
- Recovery-oriented, person-centred, and trauma-informed.
- Flexible, allowing patients to integrate therapy with everyday life.
- Designed to complement inpatient care or function as a stand-alone service.
With evidence-based therapies, creative approaches, and innovative treatments like rTMS, Sunshine Clinic provides a comprehensive suite of outpatient services to support patients on every step of their recovery journey.
Comprehensive Private Mental Health Care in Melbourne’s West
Sunshine Clinic offers psychiatry consulting services, as well as inpatient and outpatient programs tailored to support recovery, resilience, and long-term wellbeing.