About Us

SOME WORDS ABOUT US

The Essence of Neoclassical Acupuncture

Meet Dr Mark McAuliffe - (Acupuncturist / Chinese Medicine Practitioner)

At Morningside Acupuncture Natural Medicine, we provide precise, individualised acupuncture and Chinese medicine care in a calm, supportive environment focused on helping you feel better as quickly and safely as possible. Dr Mark oversees the clinical direction of the practice to ensure a consistent, high standard of patient care.

Dr Mark McAuliffe has worked continuously in allied health since 1980 and is an internationally recognised practitioner and educator in Neoclassical Acupuncture (NCA). He is a former Senior Lecturer of Acupuncture at the Australian College of Natural Medicine (now Endeavour College of Health Sciences) and the authorised Clinical Instructor for Neoclassical Acupuncture in Oceania.

Dr Mark is known for his precise, highly individualised treatment approach, combining detailed palpation-based assessment with refined, minimal-needle techniques—often using only one needle. Treatments are designed to provide immediate clinical feedback; we assess, treat, then check the body’s response straight away to identify and address the underlying patterns contributing to pain, dysfunction, and imbalance.

Drawing on over three decades of clinical experience and over 100,000 patient treatments delivered across his career, Dr Mark brings a calm, grounded presence to every consultation. Patients appreciate that this is not ordinary acupuncture, often commenting on feeling deeply heard, understood, and at ease early in their treatment.

He supports patients with a wide range of concerns including pain and injury management, stress, headaches, women’s health, fertility and IVF support, men’s and children’s health, digestive issues, fatigue, skin conditions, and complex health concerns. Carefully selected TGA-approved Chinese herbal medicine formulas are also prescribed where appropriate.

Dr Mark is an Australian registered Acupuncturist and AHPRA approved practitioner. He is a professional member of the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association and the Society for Integrative Oncology. As the authorised NCA trainer for Oceania, you can view his upcoming training schedule at neoclassicalacupuncturetraining.com.

“He consults at the Morningside clinic and his Mackay Acupuncture Natural Medicine clinic each week. Please see his availability and schedule by clicking BOOK ONLINE,”

“Our goal is to ensure you understand early whether the treatment is creating a tangible change. By focusing on highly targeted, individualised care, we aim to help you find quick, effective solutions for pain, stress, and complex health concerns, helping you return to a state of balance and comfort.”

— Dr Mark McAuliffe (Acupuncturist / Chinese Medicine Practitioner)

Meet Bethrene Laurenson - (Practice Director)

Bethrene Laurenson is the Practice Director of Morningside Acupuncture Natural Medicine and works alongside her husband, Dr Mark McAuliffe. As well as operating their Mackay clinic, Bethrene and Mark have officially returned to lead the Morningside clinic, bringing a fresh new stage of professional, clinical-grade care to the local community. She is an integral part of the warm, supportive environment the practice is known for, bringing together professionalism, creativity, and genuine care to every aspect of the patient experience.

Having founded and managed several successful businesses throughout her career, Bethrene has also worked extensively as an interior designer across Australia and internationally. She personally designed our clinic spaces with the explicit intention of creating a calm place to recover—an environment that feels welcoming and restorative, where patients can slow down, settle their nervous system, and begin to relax from the moment they arrive.

For more than four decades, Bethrene has maintained a daily meditation and contemplative practice, which deeply influences the peaceful atmosphere and thoughtful attention to detail throughout the practice.

Patients often comment on the sense of warmth and ease they feel when entering the clinic, something Bethrene helps cultivate through her caring presence and genuine desire to ensure each person feels comfortable, welcomed, and completely looked after.

Dr Issy Jones - Acupuncturist / Chinese Medicine Practitioner

Dr Issy Jones is a highly qualified Acupuncturist and Naturopath at Morningside Acupuncture Natural Medicine. Having spent years closely involved in the patient journey within the local Morningside community, she brings a deep sense of clinical continuity, dedication, and individualised care to the practice.

With comprehensive training spanning both precise Chinese medicine and evidence-based naturopathy, Dr Issy values a thorough, patient-focused approach. She incorporates the core principles of Neoclassical Acupuncture (NCA)—utilising targeted, minimal-needle techniques to provide immediate clinical feedback. By assessing the body, treating precisely, and checking the physical response straight away, she ensures patients understand early on whether the treatment is effectively shifting their symptoms.

Dr Issy has a deep understanding of the patient experience and knows exactly what helps people feel at ease when seeking care. She is highly passionate about answering the questions that matter most to patients: ensuring they feel heard, safe, and confident that their specific health concerns are being met with a highly tailored, results-driven solution.

Bringing a genuine warmth and grounded presence to every consultation, Dr Issy supports patients through a wide variety of health journeys. Her areas of focus include clinical acupuncture care for pain, stress, headaches, women’s health, fertility support, and complex health concerns. She is dedicated to helping individuals achieve both rapid relief and sustainable, long-term improvements in their overall health and vitality.