Take therapy outside

Nature-based therapy brings our therapeutic work into natural outdoor settings along the Kingscliff coast. Sessions can involve walking coastal paths, sitting by the ocean, or finding stillness in bushland reserves - movement is optional and tailored to what supports your work.

This approach is particularly effective for anxiety, depression, trauma, and general mental health concerns, combining the proven benefits of nature exposure with professional psychological care. Sessions may qualify for Medicare rebates under a Mental Health Care Plan.

Learn more about Nature-Based Therapy Below

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Locations

  • Heritage lighthouse (1872) reached via short walk through coastal rainforest. The headland location provides spectacular panoramic views spanning from Gold Coast to northern NSW beaches - one of Australia's most easterly points. Ideal for clients who benefit from "big picture" perspective or find meaning in historic settings. Whale watching in season. The forest approach offers shade and natural transition before reaching exposed headland viewpoint. Moderate walk; not suitable for limited mobility. No weather-safe backup area - exposed headland and natural forest track means sessions would need to reschedule or move to indoor backup during rain.

    Environment: Historic lighthouse, coastal rainforest track, ocean views
    Terrain: Bush walking track, some elevation, headland exposure
    Privacy: Moderate (tourist destination, but space to move away)
    Weather protection: None - exposed natural setting
    Best for: Clients who enjoy walking, perspective work, whale watching, historic settings

  • A concrete memorial walkway connecting Murpheys Road to Dreamtime Beach lookout, featuring commemorative plaques honoring Australian service personnel. The Memorial Walk itself is fully paved and accessible (originally designed for wheelchair access from Wommin Bay aged care facility), making it ideal for clients who prefer gentle movement or seated conversation at the ocean-view platform. The flat, accessible surface accommodates all mobility levels. The memorial's contemplative atmosphere naturally supports deeper therapeutic work. Moderate privacy with intermittent foot traffic; best visited mid-morning on weekdays. No weather-safe backup area - sessions would need to reschedule or move to indoor backup in inclement weather.

    Environment: Paved memorial walkway, ocean lookout, commemorative plaques
    Terrain: Fully accessible concrete walkway
    Privacy: Moderate (some walkers and visitors)
    Weather protection: None - exposed to elements
    Best for: Accessibility needs, reflective work, clients seeking structure

  • Award-winning central foreshore park (NSW Park of the Year 2019) featuring pandanus palms, sun loungers, and direct beach access. This vibrant community hub balances openness with therapeutic value - its welcoming atmosphere can help clients feel less isolated while maintaining professional boundaries. The variety of seating options (benches, loungers, picnic tables) allows flexibility between movement and stillness. Popular for community events, so privacy varies significantly by time and day; quietest early mornings and weekday afternoons. Weather-safe areas available including covered picnic shelters and nearby café options for backup during rain.

    Environment: Manicured park, ocean views, café proximity
    Terrain: Flat, paved paths with beach access
    Privacy: Variable (busy weekends, quieter weekdays)
    Weather protection: Covered shelters, nearby cafés
    Best for: Clients comfortable in active settings, beach access, flexible seating

  • Peaceful park on the northern bank of Cudgen Creek, offering calm water views and a notably quieter atmosphere than ocean-side locations. The creek setting provides a different sensory experience - gentler sounds, protected waters, and family-friendly amenities including playground and picnic facilities. Excellent for clients seeking tranquility without ocean intensity. Recent upgrades have improved accessibility. The creek's calm water creates a soothing backdrop distinct from surf beaches. Weather-safe areas available with covered picnic facilities and shelter near the playground area.

    Environment: Creek-side, playground, picnic areas, toilets
    Terrain: Mostly flat, some gravel/dirt areas
    Privacy: High (much quieter than main foreshore)
    Weather protection: Covered picnic shelters
    Best for: Clients preferring calm water, families, quieter therapeutic work

  • Small, intimate neighborhood park in the Casuarina residential area, offering a quieter alternative to larger foreshore parks. This "cosy and engaging space" provides a more residential feel - less tourist traffic than beach-front locations while still being within easy walking distance of Cotton Beach. The smaller scale suits clients who prefer low-key, understated settings without the activity of major parks. Ideal for work requiring minimal external stimulation. Weather-safe backup available with nearby Cotton Beach Resort café or covered areas within short walking distance for inclement weather.

    Environment: Neighborhood park, residential setting, close to Cotton Beach
    Terrain: Flat, likely grassed with some paved paths
    Privacy: High (small local park, minimal visitation)
    Weather protection: Nearby café/covered areas
    Best for: Clients preferring quiet, low-stimulus environments; residential feel over tourist areas

  • Bushland and wetland environment surrounding Cudgen Lake, offering a completely different sensory experience from coastal locations. Dense vegetation provides excellent privacy and natural soundscaping - bird calls, rustling leaves, and lake sounds rather than surf. This inland location suits clients who find ocean environments overwhelming or who connect more deeply with bushland settings. Walking tracks vary in terrain; some areas less accessible. Excellent for nature-based grounding exercises. No weather-safe backup area - natural bush setting means sessions would need to reschedule or relocate to indoor option during rain.

    Environment: Bushland, wetlands, lake views, birdwatching
    Terrain: Natural bush tracks, some uneven surfaces
    Privacy: Excellent (low visitation, dense vegetation)
    Weather protection: None - natural bush environment
    Best for: Clients seeking maximum privacy, nature immersion, quieter sensory experience

  • Quiet coastal village with headland walks and protected beach areas. The smaller village scale offers maximum privacy - far less foot traffic than Kingscliff. Headland provides elevation and expansive views ideal for perspective-building therapeutic work. Multiple route options (beach, headland track, village streets) allow variety session to session. Cudgera Creek flows nearby. The peaceful, slower pace suits clients who find busier locations overstimulating. Weather-safe backup available with village café and covered areas near the beach for shelter during inclement weather.

    Environment: Village setting, headland, beach, creek
    Terrain: Mix of beach sand, paved paths, headland tracks
    Privacy: Excellent (small village, minimal crowds)
    Weather protection: Village café, covered areas
    Best for: Maximum privacy, variety of environments, clients sensitive to crowds

Nature Based-Therapy

Nature-based therapy, also known as outdoor therapy or walk and talk therapy, offers an alternative to traditional office-based sessions by bringing therapeutic work into natural environments. Our sessions take place in carefully selected locations along the Kingscliff and Northern Rivers coast, including beaches, coastal walking paths, parks, and nature reserves.

Research consistently shows that time in nature reduces stress, improves mood, and enhances emotional regulation - benefits that complement evidence-based psychological approaches. Whether you prefer to walk and talk, sit and reflect, or move between both, sessions are tailored to support your individual needs and therapeutic goals.

Nature-based therapy is suitable for a wide range of presentations, including anxiety, depression, trauma, grief, life transitions, and general mental health support. The outdoor environment can make therapy feel more accessible and less formal, while maintaining the same professional standards and clinical effectiveness as office-based work.

Sessions are available for existing clients and new referrals in the Kingscliff, Cabarita Beach, and Hastings Point areas. All sessions are conducted by a registered psychologist and may attract Medicare rebates of up to $124.30 per session with a valid Mental Health Care Plan from your GP.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Regular outdoor sessions (weekdays 9am-4pm): $230

    Out-of-hours sessions (before 9am, after 4pm, weekends): $260

  • Absolutely. Nature-based therapy sessions count toward your 10 Medicare-rebated sessions per year, just like office-based therapy.

  • Outdoor therapy sessions qualify for a slightly higher Medicare rebate:

    • Medicare rebate: $124.30

    • This is $25.35 higher than standard office sessions

  • While you will need to pay the full amount at the start of session, if you are being seeing a mental health treatment plan, your out of pocket cost will not be much more than a standard session at Present Mind

    Regular session ($230):

    • Your cost: $230 - $124.30 = $105.70

    Out-of-hours session ($260):

    • Your cost: $260 - $124.30 = $135.70

  • Outdoor sessions require additional travel time and limit the number of clients that can be seen each day. The $30 difference reflects this reduced scheduling capacity while keeping your out-of-pocket costs comparable to office-based therapy (where you'd pay $101 out-of-pocket for a $200 session with a $98.95 rebate).

  • Yes! If you live in the Kingscliff/Casuarina/Hastings Point area, you'll save approximately 100km of driving (round trip to an office in Tweed Heads or Gold Coast). That's roughly $15-20 in fuel plus an hour of your time. Even accounting for the slightly higher out-of-pocket cost, you come out ahead.

  • We have carefully selected locations based on privacy, choosing quieter times and less-trafficked areas. If walking, we do so at a natural conversational distance, and you're always free to pause our conversation if others are nearby. Many clients find the gentle movement and natural soundscapes (waves, birds, wind) actually create a sense of privacy - it's harder for others to overhear than you might expect.

  • This is covered in detail during our first outdoor session. In brief: I will never disclose our professional relationship unless you initiate it. If someone approaches, I'll follow your lead - you can introduce me however you're comfortable (friend, colleague, or not at all). You're in control of what others know.

  • Yes. I offer several locations with varying levels of privacy, terrain, and atmosphere. We'll discuss your preferences and any mobility considerations, and you can request different locations for different sessions. Some clients prefer the same spot each time; others like variety.

  • Each location has a weather backup plan - either a covered area nearby or the option to switch to a telehealth session. We'll make that call together based on conditions and your preference.

  • Just like office-based therapy, it's not for everyone. Research shows nature-based therapy can be highly effective, particularly for stress, anxiety, depression, and life transitions. Many people report that the natural setting and gentle movement help them think more clearly, feel less self-conscious, and open up more easily than in a traditional office.

    It tends to work especially well for people who:

    • Feel confined or restless in office settings

    • Process thoughts better while moving

    • Find nature calming or restorative

    • Prefer a less clinical, more collaborative atmosphere

    If you have significant mobility limitations, sensory sensitivities to outdoor environments, or strongly prefer the structure of an office setting, traditional therapy may be a better fit. We can also alternate between office and outdoor sessions to find what works best for you.

Ask about Nature-Based Therapy