At Mackay 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 four 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)
Bethrene Laurenson is the Practice Director of Mackay 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 Laura provides patient-centred care and works closely with Dr Mark as part of the Mackay Acupuncture Natural Medicine team.
Dr Laura Bell combines advanced training in Neoclassical Acupuncture with a calm, precise and highly individualised clinical approach. Dr Laura Bell has completed the full Neoclassical Acupuncture training pathway through to Expert level, including Foundation, Advanced and Nexus training. Her treatments closely reflect the refined palpation-based and minimal needle treatment style that Mackay Acupuncture Natural Medicine is known for.
Dr Laura has strong clinical skills in palpatory assessment, transport point regulation and focused treatment strategies designed to create measurable outcomes for you while supporting long-term health and balance.
Dr Laura integrates Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine to support patients with a wide range of concerns including pain and musculoskeletal conditions, stress and emotional wellbeing, fertility support, women’s health, digestive issues, sleep disturbances, hormonal balance, cosmetic acupuncture and general vitality.
Patients appreciate Dr Laura’s attentive, thoughtful manner and her ability to combine detailed assessment with safe, effective treatments tailored to the individual. Her approach is both clinically focused and supportive, helping patients feel comfortable, heard and confident throughout their care.
Dr Laura is an Australian registered Acupuncturist and AHPRA approved practitioner. She is a professional member of the Australian Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine Association.
Dr Laura is available in clinic on Monday and Tuesday afternoons, Wednesday morning and all-day Thursday.
Neck Pain, Headaches, Back Pain, Neck Pain, Hip Pain, Elbow Pain, Wrist Pain, Knee Pain, Ankle Pain, Arthritis
Reduce Sagging, Reduce Wrinkles, Lighten Pigmentation
Anxiety, Depression, Anger, Fear, Compulsive Worry, Sadness, Over-thinking, Insomnia
Fertility, Libido, Hypertension
PMS, Menstrual Disorders, IVF Fertility Assistance, Menopause
Colds & Flu, Asthma, Hayfever, Allergies, Fibromyalgia, Hypertension, Hypotension
IBS, Weight Loss, Bloating, High Cholesterol, Dietary Advice
