headspace
Nowra

front of office cropped

Hours

  • Monday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
  • Tuesday: 8:30am - 6:00pm
  • Wednesday: 8:30am - 6:00pm
  • Thursday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
  • Friday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed

About

Headspace Nowra are committed to providing ongoing free services to young people. 

All clients will be offered face to face, online video or phone appointments (telehealth). We will try and work out how best to support you.

headspace Nowra is accessible for all visitors via our street entrance, we have disability access to the building and access to appropriate disabled facilities inside the Centre

If you have any concerns please call us on 02 4446 7300 during business hours.

Hours

  • Monday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
  • Tuesday: 8:30am - 6:00pm
  • Wednesday: 8:30am - 6:00pm
  • Thursday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
  • Friday: 8:30am - 5:00pm
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed

headspace Nowra is operated by Grand Pacific Health Ltd. All headspace services are funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Administration of funding is carried out by the headspace centre’s local Primary Health Network, in this case, South Eastern NSW (Coordinare Ltd).

Services

Get tips on how to prepare your resume and present for interviews. Find out about local employment opportunities (full time, part-time, or casual).

Mental health workers – which may include psychologists, psychiatrists, counsellors and other workers – that can help if you're just not feeling yourself.

Workers either on site or linked to the centre who can assist you with work or study opportunities. 

Nutrition screening, dietary assessment and education about food and lifestyle, also support around healthy eating strategies.

Workers either on site or linked to the centre who can assist you with any alcohol or other drug concern.

A group of young people who help with events and some decision making at a centre. Ask your centre about getting involved.

“As soon as I sought help, I suddenly realised that my anxiety was very treatable and that I wasn’t alone.”
- Charlie

Media gallery

headspace centre tour
Services you can access at headspace
Making an appointment at headspace
Attending an appointment at headspace

Jobs and volunteering

Positions currently available at headspace Nowra

headspace, Nowra, Wollongong and Goulburn centres are currently looking to increase the number of GPs working out of the centres.

headspace centres offer free youth health services for young people aged 12-25 years. The centre employs a multidisciplinary team of psychologists, counsellors, youth workers, GPs and other staff to support the health and wellbeing of young people with a focus on mental health.

Working as a member of the headspace team offers GPs the opportunity to provide bulk-billed services to young people as part of a collaborative and holistic model of care, in an environment that encourages the development of ongoing and therapeutic relationships with clients and multidisciplinary case consultation.

Grand Pacific Health (GPH) is the lead agency for three headspace centres in Wollongong, Nowra and Goulburn, as well as operating two GP super clinics in Shell Cove and Nowra. As a member of the broader GPH team you will receive the support available as part of a large not for profit primary health organisation that operates across the Illawarra, Shoalhaven and Southern NSW region.

Job Description: A copy of the job description can be found here

Are you a GP interested in joining a multidisciplinary and supportive team with an interest in mental health and working with young people?

For more information contact:

Name: Jenny Valdivia (Manager, Youth Mental Health Services)
Phone: (02) 4220 7660

Apply now

Salary: Volunteer

Volunteer Role

Are you aged between 16 and 25 and live in the Shoalhaven area? Do you have something to say about youth mental health and wellbeing?

Are you willing to be involved in the YRG members for a 12 month term?

Who can apply?

We are looking for anyone aged between 16 and 25 who is interested in promoting youth mental health and wellbeing in the Shoalhaven area.

We want you to apply if:

You have had your own experiences of feeling depressed, anxious or another mental health issue.

You have a friend or family member who has/or had a mental illness or addiction.

You feel passionate about and are interested in mental health issues and young people’s health and wellbeing in our community.

headspace Nowra is also keen to hear the voices of Indigenous young people, young people from different cultural and language backgrounds, young parents, young people from rural and remote areas, young people of diverse sexualities and genders, and young people who have been homeless.

 What is the headspace Nowra Youth Reference Group?

headspace Nowra provides young people with the opportunity to be heard and be active around youth mental health and related issues through the Youth Reference Group (YRG).

There are a number of roles you can play in the YRG, including:

· Planning and organising special events

· Helping us to make our centre responsive to young people’s needs

· Giving feedback about local youth and health services

· Fundraising for headspace Nowra

· Presentations and activities with high schools, TAFE and community organisations

· Accessing training and development opportunities

· Media promotions and interviews and publicity

· Sharing your experiences and encouraging early help seeking

 By getting involved you will:

· Have the opportunity to have your say on local services

· Develop new skills

· Meet and work with other young people who are passionate about youth mental health

· Make a difference to youth mental health in your community.

 

The Youth Reference Group meets fortnightly on a Wednesday afternoon at headspace Nowra, and also provides regular feedback and input through an online forum.

We actively recruit for YRG each year from November to December, for an early February start.  But if you're keen to get involved, get in touch no matter what time of year by emailing Maria! 

If you have any other questions or wish to apply please contact us on 4446 7300 or email mpulidolopez@gph.org.au

 

 

For more information contact:

Name: Maria Pulido-Lopez
Phone: 4446 7300
Email: mpulidolopez@gph.org.au

Apply now

More information

headspace Nowra is a free, youth-friendly and confidential service for young people aged 12-25 years.

Led by Grand Pacific Health, headspace Nowra brings together a range of services to provide a holistic “one-stop-shop” for young people. Our services include: 

Mental Health Support – Youth Counsellors, Youth Workers and other Mental Health Professionals 

Drug and Alcohol Support 

Education and Employment Support

Physical Health and Sexual Health Support  (watch this space)

PLEASE NOTE:
headspace Nowra is not an acute mental health/crisis service. If you have any immediate concerns regarding the safety/wellbeing of a young person, please call: Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511; Lifeline on 13 11 14; or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800. In an emergency, contact 000 immediately.   

HOW TO REFER:

We accept referrals from all sources and by any method.
Once a referral has been received, a confirmation of receipt will be sent, as well as information on the expected time it should take to hear from us about the referral.  A follow-up will be sent after the referral has been reviewed.


Self-Referral: Young people are encouraged to make contact with headspace Nowra directly. Call (02) 4446 7300 within office hours or email info@headspacenowra.org.au . The best way to contact us is by calling.

Drop in: Young people can call into headspace Nowra (51 North Street) between 9am-5pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday Friday or 9.30-6pm on Wednesday (9am-5pm during Covid restrictions). Staff will endeavour to see the young person the same day, or the next available appointment will be offered.   

Professional Referral: GP’s, Allied Health Professionals, community-based agencies and educational institutions can all refer young people to headspace Nowra by phone. General Practitioners should include a mental health care plan (if appropriate) for the young person and send to info@headspacenowra.org.au or FAX 4421 0045

Family Referral: Families, carers or friends can refer a young person to headspace Nowra. The young person needs to be aware of and consent to the referral and be willing to meet with a member from the headspace Nowra team.

If you have any questions please call 4446 7300

 

Where to look for support while you're on waiting list at headspace Nowra

Waiting for your psychology, counselling or psychiatry appointment can take a long time.

If you've made it to this web page, chances are you've probably looked for support online already.

Here are some of our suggestions that you can use while you wait:

Have a look at our wellbeing starter pack – it is a collection of a few useful apps, services and resources you can turn to if you're looking for support while you wait.

Did you know headspace is also online not just at a centre?

You can get free online and telephone support and counselling for your mental health by creating a headspace account. There are group chats, online communities, and 1:1 direct support with eheadspace professionals. It also has support for your families and friends. Create your headspace account or call 1800 650 890

If you don’t feel comfortable talking to anyone you know, you might feel better calling a helpline, joining a forum discussion or trying an online program.

Beyond Blue

The Beyond Blue forums are a supportive place to connect with people who are going through similar experiences to you. You can read other people’s stories, ask for advice or share your own experience.

ReachOut

Reach Out Forums is a supportive, safe and anonymous space where people care about what's happening for you, because they've been there too.

Kids Helpline

The website has information and services to support young people through any problems – big or small.

Children of Parents with a Mental Illness (COPMI)

Having a parent with a mental illness can be tough. But COPMI have a lot of information and videos to help you get your head around it all.

Don’t forget Your School:

It can be scary telling people that you are struggling but talking to your school can really help you. Chances are you aren't the only student who is struggling with their mental health, and the school probably already has some kind of internal support system. Speak to a teacher you trust, and they should be able to help you.

Want to know more about what to expect when attending headspace Nowra?

We have created welcome packs to introduce you to our service and direct you to where you can find further information and support:

headspace Nowra Welcome Pack

Sometimes people don't show up for their appointments at headspace. We understand that life can be unpredictable and things can come up. 

Here's how you can help us to help you...

headspace Nowra's Cancellation Guide

headspace Nowra is home to a team of fabulous staff, who all help people in different ways. Some of the main people you can see here are:

Administration and Management:

Kim – Office Administration

Kim works in Office Administration and will likely be the first person you’ll talk to when you come to headspace or call us. She will give you any initial information you need about coming to headspace and help to book your appointments. Kim has previously worked in hotel management and real estate. She loves working at headspace because of the positive impact that we have on young people’s lives. When she’s not at work, Kim enjoys going out camping, spending time with her family and taking the dog to the beach.

Rhiannon- Senior Administration Officer

Rhiannon is our Senior Administration Officer & is one of the friendly faces you will come across in our front office. Rhiannon has joined our headspace team with a passion to provide support to young people & their families. When not at work, you will find Rhiannon out enjoying the many bush tracks of the Shoalhaven with her family.

Emily - Service Manager

Emily is the service manager for our center. She oversees all the different services and programs headspace Nowra has to offer. She has come to us with a wealth of knowledge and has a long background in working with families and young people in supporting their mental health. While she isn’t at work she enjoys being on and around the water, spending time with family and friends, reading and bingeing out on a good TV series.      

Clinical Team:

Erin – Clinical Lead 

Erin is a Clinical Psychology Registrar and the Clinical Lead at headspace Nowra. Erin is a compassionate professional with a passion for youth mental health. Erin started with headspace as a placement student whilst studying a Master of Psychology (clinical) and now is here full time as the Clinical Lead supporting both headspace staff and young people in the Shoalhaven. When Erin is not at work, she spends her time taking her dogs to the beach, in the garden or adventuring around the beautiful Shoalhaven area.

Alex - Clinical Educator

Alex is the Clinical Educator at headspace Nowra, where she facilitates our Postgraduate Student Placement Program. She is also a Clinical Psychologist working in our psychology stream and has a background in working in Suicide Prevention. In her spare time, she enjoys spending quality time with my family and friends, going to the beach, enjoying a good book, or enjoying downtime doing a good puzzle.

Sarah – Mental Health Clinician - Intern

Sarah has an undergraduate degree in psychology and a Masters of Social Work. She started at headspace Nowra as a student on placement while completing her Masters and now works with us full-time as a Mental Health Clinician. Sarah is working towards her accreditation as a Mental Health Social Worker and is passionate about supporting young people through a collaborative, curious and warm approach to practice. In her spare time, she loves baking and taking her dog Bart to the beach!


Zach – Mental Health Clinician - Intern

Zach holds a Master of Professional Psychology from the University of Wollongong and works at headspace Nowra as a Mental Health Clinician Intern. When Zach isn't working, he loves watching the footy (or most sports really), playing with his dog, and swimming at the beach.

Madoc - Mental Health Clinician - Intern

Madoc is a Provisional Psychologist and is currently completing his Master of Clinical Psychology. Madoc originally started his journey at headspace Nowra as a student and now works as a part of our team. Madoc has a particular interest in working with families and enjoys supporting young people to meet their mental health goals. When he is not work, Madoc enjoys reading, catching up with mates and training jiu-jitsu!

Courtney - Provisional Psychologist/ Intake worker

Courtney works part time as a Provisional psychologist.  She has a passion for supporting young people from the LGBTQIA+ community.  Working as a intake worker, Courtney might be one of the first people a young person talks to.

Alan - Youth Care Coordinator/Counsellor/Intake worker

Alan is headspace Nowra's Youth Counsellor and Youth Care Coordinator, which means he supports young people in a range of ways in addition to counselling sessions.  Alan works as one of our intake workers, so he might be one of the first people a young person talks to when they first contact headpsace. When he’s not at work, Alan enjoys surfing, playing music and going camping.

Lynne – Family Clinician

As a family clinician, Lynne provides support to the parents and families of young people accessing headspace services. Lynne is a registered nurse working in mental health since 1992. Lynne draws on her clinical experience and being a parent of two grown-up children to assist parents and families at headspace. Lynne loves to travel but is equally happy close to home, walking the dog at the beach and preparing meals from her garden.

Community Engagement Team:

Maria - Community Engagement Officer

Maria is headspace Nowra's Community Engagement Officer and can often be found out and about in the community. She has experience in raising awareness about children and young people's rights, making youth participation one her most important flags. Maria is also passionate about caring for the land and its people through the food we eat, so she grows delicious and nutritious veggies. Music and dancing are her best companions, even more so when Colombian rhythms resonate, being the place where Maria is from.

Peer Worker: 

Bea – Peer Worker

Bea (they/them) is our Peer Worker here at headspace Nowra and a passionate member of the LGBTQIA+ community; They create and run groups in our centre while also connecting individually with young people in a non-clinical approach who need someone to listen to them alongside (or instead of) a young person's time with a clinician. A Peer Worker is someone who has a lived experience of overcoming challenging thoughts, feelings and experiences and functions as a role model of recovery.

Bea is an enthusiastic creator and lover of all different kinds of arts; they love to explore creative writing and make all sorts of artworks outside of work while also incorporating chances to meaningfully create into our centre's groups.

Vocational Specialists:

Courtney T - Vocational Specialist IPS

You may recognise this face if you have ever come into the headspace Nowra centre, Courtney would have been your first point of contact!

Courtney is now a part of our work and study program, working as a vocational specialist.

‘I am really enjoying working with the young people of the Shoalhaven supporting them with their work and study goals’.

When Courtney isn’t working you will find her, spending time with family, at the beach or chilling with friends.

Gordon – Vocational Specialist IPS

Gordon is one of our Work and Study team members. Gordon’s passion lies in education and that of helping young people achieve a dream of study as part of where they wish to go into employment- not just focusing on one pathway but what best suits the young person and what they really want to do. Gordan likes seeing young people come in and leave with a sense of hopefulness and purpose in their lives. When he’s not at work you’ll find Gordon Studying, parenting or out on the water in some form!

Dieticians

Alycia - Dietician  

Alicia works every second Tuesday afternoon from the headspace centre.  If you would like to make an appointment, please talk to someone at reception.

headspace Nowra believes that family and friends play an important role in a young person’s journey to better wellbeing.

We understand that there are many different types of family and friends that are important in a young person’s life.

How you can be involved in supporting your young person will depend on many things – including the young person’s age, life experience and their feelings about family involvement.

Wherever possible, we advocate for and provide meaningful opportunities for family and friends to directly participate in our services.

This pack will introduce you to our service and where you can find further information and support for you and your young person.

Family and Friends Welcome Pack

You can also find more information on how to support young people in the Explore Topics resource library. 

Our Purple Pack is made up of a stack of useful resources we've found from many different groups and organisations to support transgender,  gender diverse and sexually diverse young people.

It includes:

  • Information on pronouns, medical and social transitioning, coming out/inviting in, your legal rights, navigating relationships, sexuality and more.
  • Stories from other gender and sexually diverse young people.
  • Info on where to go to get more information and support online or in person.

The aim of this pack is to help you and your loved ones along your journey no matter what point you are at.

You can find a digital version here

Information for Young People:

  • How headspace can help
    • headspace resource 
  • Gender Identity and Mental Health
    • headspace resource 
  • TransHub (website)
    • ACON’s digital information and resource platform for all trans and gender diverse (TGD) people in NSW, our loved ones, allies and health providers.

  • Rainbow Network Resources
    • A range of resources from help when coming out ot family and friends to setting up online social and support groups.
  • Minus18 - CHAMPIONS FOR LGBTQIA+ YOUTH
    • Through a preventative model of mental health support, we tackle social isolation by creating fun-filled spaces where LGBTQIA+ young people belong and are celebrated. Being visible, making friends and feeling supported are what our events are about.
  • Twenty10 - 
    • A broad range of specialised services for young people 12-25 including housing, mental health, counselling and social support
  • Gender Centre -  
    • Specialised services that enables the exploration of gender identity and assistance with the alleviation of gender dysphoria
  • LGBTIQ Health -
    • Supporting healthy lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/transgender, intersex, queer and other sexuality, gender, and bodily diverse people and communities throughout Australia and the world, free from stigma and discrimination
  • QLife
    • Provides anonymous and free LGBTI peer support and referral for people in Australia wanting to talk about sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings or relationships.
  • Rainbow Cultures
    • A directry of LGBTQIA+ multicultural community groups and services in NSW

Information for Families and Friends:

Most importantly, we want you to know that headspace Nowra is a safe place and we want to support you.

Call us on 4421 5300 if you would like to speak to someone. We're here to help.

Did you know you can get your own Medicare card when you are over a certain age!

Don't know how? To find out more check out these websites below:

Health NSW - Fact Sheet Medicare at 15 

Services Australia

Our Youth Care Coordinator can help you fill out all the paperwork that is needed, we also have forms at reception you can fill out. Come into headspace Nowra to grab your copy today

headspace Nowra is accessible for all visitors, we have disability access to the building and access to appropriate disabled facilities inside the Centre.

Street parking is available around the centre with a 1hour parking limit between 8am and 6pm.

The closest 2 and 3 hour parking available off Stewart Place.

headspace Wollongong, Nowra, Bega and Goulburn now offer telehealth sessions via a special platform called “Attend Anywhere”. We think it gives you the experience most like your normal face-to-face sessions with a clinician. It’s encryption levels mean your conversations stay private, and it allows you to wait in a “waiting room”, under the supervision of our admin team, until your clinician is ready to see you.

 

WHAT DO I NEED?

  • A good connection to the internet 
    If you can watch a video online (e.g. YouTube) you can make a video call
  • One of these:
    • Google Chrome web browser on a desktop or laptop, or on an Android tablet or smartphone
    • Safari web browser on an Apple iMac, MacBook, iPad or iPhone
  • Web-camera, speakers, and microphone already built into laptops or mobile devices

 

How much internet data will I use?

You don’t use any data while waiting for a clinician to join you.

An Attend Anywhere video call uses a similar amount of data to Skype® or FaceTime®.

 

PRIVACY

You have your own private video room that only authorised clinicians can enter. Video calls are secure; your privacy is protected.

Your telehealth service will not be recorded by us. We ask you to also agree not to make recordings of our sessions and not to use materials from our sessions elsewhere. 

 

WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?

Your clinician is available to answer all your questions and answer any concerns. Together, you will work out a plan that best suits you. If you wish to speak to someone else about your experience, please call your local headspace centre and ask to speak to the centre manager.

 

HOW DO I USE ATTEND ANYWHERE?

  • Go to gph.org.au/telehealth-online-video-conference a little before the prearranged time for your appointment and select the headspace waiting room (red armchair logo).
  • On this web page, click Start video call button and follow the instructions
  • Wait in your own private video room
  • Your clinician sees you arrive in the waiting area and joins you in your video room when they are ready

If you would like to know more, here’s a short video: https://youtu.be/o-64JK4nLuE

 

WHAT IF MY CONNECTION DROPS OUT? 

  •  If you lose connection, firstly, wait 30 seconds and try to reconnect using the Refresh button.
  •  If your video link drops out, or if you intentionally disconnect the videoconference, or leave the room where the videoconference hardware is set up, we will immediately contact you via your nominated contact number. If we cannot contact you, then we will activate your Contingency Plan.

 

What is my Contingency Plan?

At your first session, you and your clinician will work out a telehealth safety plan. This will be reviewed at the beginning of each session. Your plan will include nominated emergency contacts and/or local and emergency services.     

 

HOW DO I PREPARE FOR MY SESSION?

It can be easy to think of your Telehealth session as a less formal “catch-up” and think it doesn’t need much preparation. To get the best from your session, try to:

 

1)      Find a quiet space. Put away your pets, find a room where you think you won’t be overheard. Try using headphones with an in-built microphones, if you can. Most mobile phones come with these.

2)      Bring a notepad and pen. Your clinician won’t be able to give you a piece of paper to take home with you so you might need to jot some things down.

3)      Have your phone close to you but turn it onto silent and close your email programs. It is important that your clinician can call you, if something should happen to your Telehealth connection, but it’s also important to try to minimise distractions.

4)      Give yourself permission to focus. In these busy times there are lots of things calling for our attention. Give yourself permission to be fully present with your clinician for your session.

5)      Your telehealth session with your clinican will not take any longer than an in-person session at our centre would, except you don’t have to spend time travelling to us.

Are you interested in fundraising for or making a donation to headspace Nowra?

Your generous support helps us to provide vital mental health and wellbeing support, information and services to young people and their families across the Shoalhaven.

Set up your own fundraising page:
Are you setting a personal challenge, entering a fundraising event or celebrating a special occasion?
If you would like to fundraise for headspace Nowra, head to GoFundraise to set up your fundraising page:
www.gofundraise.com.au/beneficiary/headspacenowra

Donate online:
Donate online using the secure platform of GiveNow: www.givenow.com.au/headspacenowra

Donate by direct deposit:
Account Name: Grand Pacific Health
Account number: 606303831 BSB: 082916
Bank: National Australia Bank

Donate by cheque:
Cheques can be made out to Grand Pacific Health and mailed to Attn: Finance, Grand Pacific Health, PO Box 1198, South Coast MC NSW 2521.

Please email info@headspacenowra.org.au to advise us of your contact details when making a donation by direct deposit or cheque, and include hsNowra as a message/reference with your donation.

Thank you for your support!

headspace Nowra is committed to maintaining your privacy. Please talk to one of our workers if you want more information about how we protect the right to privacy of the young people who use our service. 

 

Grand Pacific Health - Privacy Statement

Grand Pacific Health - Your Rights and Responsibilities