• Adventure Therapist
• Human Nature Adventure Therapy
• Both casual and part time fixed term contract options

Are you an AHPRA registered Psychologist or Social Worker looking for your next challenge in the beautiful Northern Rivers, NSW region? Are you passionate about supporting at-risk young people with professional therapeutic support delivered in innovative, holistic, non-clinical ways? Do you love being in nature and utilising the intrinsic healing benefits of combining therapy with outdoor adventure? Would you like to work alongside an incredible team of dedicated professional colleagues to change how mental health support reaches young people who need it the most?

If you found yourself saying ‘yes’ to all these questions, then we want to hear from you!

ABOUT THE ROLE

The Adventure Therapist will be a key member of a small team of mental health professionals charged with ensuring young people participating in our therapeutic programs receive the best possible holistic support. The role works collaboratively with our Lead Psychologist and program team to coordinate and deliver our expedition-based Recre8 programs, and contribute to the ongoing development of our suite of therapeutic programs.

Responsibilities will include:

• Individual Therapeutic Support & Mentoring: Manage a realistic caseload of young people delivering in-depth therapeutic outreach support, including developing effective relationships with referral sources.
• Adventure Therapy Expedition Programs: collaborate with the program team to deliver up to four (4) Recre8 programs each year that include 12 days of wilderness expedition-based programming for groups of up to 12 young people.
• Evaluation: collaborating with the program team to implement a robust monitoring and evaluation system

Please see the position description for more details. The position is available as a both a casual and part time fixed contract role for the right candidate.

ABOUT YOU

We are seeking an engaging, experienced, community-oriented registered mental health professional with a passion for supporting at-risk youth to thrive, and a deep connection to the concept of working with nature as a co-therapist. The ideal candidate will have a demonstrated ability to connect with, support and empower at-risk young people to reach their potential, combined with solid clinical capacity for working with complex trauma in innovative ways outside of a conventional clinical setting. You will also have experience developing mutually rewarding professional relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, and a track record of working with efficiency, effectiveness, enthusiasm and autonomy. As part of a small program team doing big things, a collaborative approach and willingness to multi-task and pitch in is essential.

You will also have:

• Completion of four-year Psychology, or equivalent, professional mental health or social work degree.
• Demonstrated relevant experience working with diverse populations and specifically with at-risk and disadvantaged young people ages 14 – 22 experiencing mental health challenges.
• Current full Registration with AHPRA as a Psychologist, Social Worker or equivalent.
• Experience working within a trauma-informed framework.

And ideally;

• Outdoor adventure/education-guide qualifications and experience (expeditions, canoeing, sailing).
• Experience in the development and implementation of engaging therapeutic youth programs.

ABOUT HUMAN NATURE ADVENTURE THERAPY

Human Nature Adventure Therapy (HN) is an independent, non-profit organisation uniquely supporting young people ages 14 – 22 struggling with mental health issues across the Northern Rivers region. Based in Mullumbimby NSW, our mission is to empower at-risk young people to navigate life’s challenges – transforming trauma and disadvantage into healing and growth through innovative nature-based adventure therapy programs.

Our 3-month Recre8 Adventure Therapy program has been proven over the past decade, intensively supporting and transforming the lives of over 200 young people and connecting them back to themselves, to their communities and to nature. Our therapeutic model now includes two new programs (Activ8 and Elev8) that uniquely engage and mentor young people with in-depth nature-based therapy and leadership development to support their wellbeing goals.

It's an exciting time to join HN as we build a skilled and passionate program team working together to fundamentally change the way early mental health interventions reach our most at-risk and disadvantaged young people in the Northern Rivers region and beyond.

REMUNERATION & BENEFITS

Excellent remuneration package including: competitive base salary; additional stipend for overnight expeditions; paid self-care leave following expeditions; contribution to professional clinical supervision costs and professional association fees, plus:

• Access to salary packaging
• Flexible working arrangements and healthy work/life balance
• Regular individual and peer supervision
• Working with a supportive, passionate and creative team

A position description is attached.