Avive Military-Related Trauma Recovery Program - MRTRP

10/09/2026

A surfer's funeral, known as a paddle-out, is an ocean-based memorial ceremony where people gather on surfboards beyond the breaking waves to honor a person who is no longer with us.

And that’s exactly what we did on our Avive Health Military-Related Trauma Recovery Program. We honoured and said goodbye to the person each veteran used to be, and the person they became with PTSD. And with a focus on post-traumatic growth, we then celebrated the person they will be now in their recovery.

Next cohort commencing 28th September. Referrals open now.

Thanks to my amazing team who made this happen.

01/09/2026

26/08/2026

“PTSD is a recoverable condition. I’ve always wanted to help people work through trauma and get a different kind of life back, a better one,” says Dr Katelyn Kerr – our Clinical Psychologist, Director of Military Related Trauma Recovery Program (MRTRP) and Specialised Programs Manager.

For Dr Kerr, working with people experiencing PTSD began early in her career on her first placement at university. She then worked at Princess Alexandra Hospital in consultation liaison psychiatry, supporting people on medical wards facing life-changing experiences such as brain and spinal injuries, major heart attacks, car accidents and cancer diagnoses.

She began working in a private hospital where she dedicated 14 years of her life to helping veterans and currently serving military personnel with PTSD.

Dr Kerr then found Avive and joined us.
“I was so impressed with Avive. I loved that the founders created it as somewhere they would refer their own families to. You can really feel that,” says Dr Kerr.

The Avive value that resonates most with Dr Kerr is EMPOWER.

“Through the programs we create, we empower people to take ownership of their recovery by providing evidence-based treatment options, giving freedom and ensuring dignity,” she says.

The Avive MRTRP is the first program of its kind created after the Royal Commission into Defence and Veterans Su***de and has incorporated the latest findings into what works to help veterans recover from PTSD, not simply live with it. We are currently accepting referrals for our next program.

26/08/2026

I’ve crunched the numbers and the math ain’t mathing. The current Federal budget claims it is a win for veterans and for psychologists. It is neither. Whilst there is an increase in fees by DVA for psychologists, it comes with a $5000 cap for veterans across all allied health services.

As most of us will know, most veterans don’t present with a single, easy to treat problem. They come with complexity. Years of carrying packs and extreme physical training leading to ankle, knee, hip and back problems. Exposure to intense trauma potentially leading to PTSD or other post-trauma conditions (depression, anxiety, substance abuse). Associated stress-related bruxism requiring dental intervention. Experiences of having to act outside of their values potentially leading to moral injury. Exposure to blasts and head knocks potentially causing brain injuries. Chemical exposures. The impact on family systems of multiple deployments. Grief and identify loss. Embitterment towards Defence. Anger. The list goes on.

The cost of care for a veteran with complex needs like the scenario above can be anywhere between $30k-$60k per year. That might sound like a lot, but if it gets veterans functional, if it gives a kid their Dad or Mum back, if they are able to participate with their families, get back to work or study, it’s worth the investment.

Without the system of allied health care wrapped around that veteran, my job in private practice becomes significantly harder. And riskier.

That extra $20.15 I’ll get for seeing DVA veterans? I just hope I won’t be spending that replying to coronial investigations on how the system yet again failed the veteran who was forced to choose where their treatment funds went.

Dr Katelyn Kerr, Director Avive’s MRTRP

26/08/2026