What is the MASTR program?
The MASTR program is an 8-week course designed to help people who have been affected by trauma. It is based upon trauma sensitive-mindfulness, mindful self-compassion, eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), trauma sensitive yoga and somatic experiencing.
What does the MASTR program involve?
When you enroll in the MASTR program, you become part of the MASTR community which means you will receive support from Marty and from the other members of the community. You will receive a book written by Marty as well as audio and video recordings to help you recover naturally. You will be invited to attend weekly sessions where you will experience a number of evidence-based practices to help you recover. You will also be invited to do some practice and home-work exercises outside of class time.
Do we spend much time in the course talking about people’s trauma?
No! You probably will be invited to consider your trauma experiences and how they have affected you but you won’t be asked to talk about them.
Will I be given choice?
Yes! We will be given choice every step of the way and you can choose which practices seem right for you and how you want to do them. It will be up to you how much or how little you say in class.
Who does the MASTR program help?
The MASTR program helps people affected by trauma. It is designed for people who are either current serving members of the Australian Defence Force or who have previously served in the ADF.
What does the MASTR program help?
After completing the program people have noticed less symptoms (depression, anxiety, anger, difficulty sleeping, nightmares, poor memory and concentration, intrusive memories, hypervigilance, avoidance and flashbacks), better relationships, better functioning and less reliance on external things such as drugs, alcohol, food and gambling. People comment that they once again have a direction in life and feel a sense of balance.
Can I try some of the practices?
Yes! There are free guided practices on this website.
How do I get referred to the MASTR program?
Ask your general practitioner or treating psychiatrist to refer you to Dr Marty Ewer to do the MASTR program.
How much does the program cost?
If you have experienced trauma in the Australian Defence Force, the Department of Veterans Affairs generally fully covers the cost of you doing the program. If you are still a serving member in the ADF, once you are referred to the program, we apply for the ADF to pay for the course for you.
Is it possible to do MASTR on-line?
Yes! There are options to do the MASTR program in person and online and people have completed it from Thailand, the Caribbean, USA, Colombia and from various states of Australia.
Do I need to be under your care to do MASTR?
No! If you are already seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist, you are welcome to keep seeing them and to do the MASTR program.
