headspace Penrith, run by Uniting, aims to reduce the burden of disease in young people aged 12-25 years caused by mental health and related substance use disorders through early identification and effective, evidence-based intervention.

• Full-time with max-term (6 Months) or part-time with max-term basis ( 3 days per week)  and is based at headspace Penrith
• HPA Level 3 plus Salary packaging benefits
• Multi-disciplinary team in community mental health

About the Opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity to join headspace Penrith, supporting young people and their families to improve mental health and overall well-being. As a Family Counsellor, you will play a critical role in providing family-inclusive practice, therapy, and family work to strengthen relationships and enhance the care delivered to young people within the headspace model.

Your role will focus on building the capacity for family-inclusive practice within the centre while directly working with young people and their families to repair relationships, navigate family dynamics, and encourage healthier responses to challenges.

About you in the role

• Deliver high-quality family therapy aimed at repairing and strengthening family relationships.
• Collaborate with headspace Primary Care staff (e.g., Youth Access Clinicians) as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Work with various family structures, such as parents and young people, whole families, or parent-focused interventions.
• Support families while ensuring the young person remains the primary focus of care.
• Address family relationship ruptures, manage family dynamics, and encourage effective coping strategies.
• Assist families in understanding and addressing their concerns while promoting healthy communication.

About You

• Tertiary qualifications in psychology, social work, or counselling.
• Current full registration with APHRA, AASW, PACFA, ACA, or AAFT.
• Demonstrated experience engaging with families and parents for the best interests of young people.
• Experience delivering systemic or structural family therapy models.
• Ability to identify and manage risk, including a strong understanding of child protection issues.
• Capability to work both independently and collaboratively in a team setting.
• Excellent communication, organisational, and writing skills.
• Computer literacy and the ability to meet program-specific targets.

Why Work at Uniting?

• Be part of a progressive not-for-profit organisation that values impact and innovation.
• Access a strong clinical and supervision framework to support your growth.
• Enjoy salary packaging benefits, including up to $15,900 for everyday purchases and an additional $2,650 for entertainment purposes.

If the idea of working for a progressive not-for-profit organisation excites you, then click Apply Now to get your application started!

To be considered please attached your CV and a covering outlining the model of family therapy that you have used and your motivations for apply for the role.

Contact Pallavi Bhatia [email protected] using the subject line: Family Counsellor - headspace Penrith enquiry via EthicalJobs should you have any questions. 

Employment with Uniting is subject to satisfactory background checks which may include a National Police, reference and Working with Children checks.

About Uniting: When you’re part of Uniting NSW.ACT, you’re part of a diverse, purpose-led team of people who are really making a difference to the world around them. We contribute to the work and mission of the Uniting Church in NSW and the ACT through social justice advocacy, community services and spiritual care. We provide care and support for people through all ages and stages of life, with a focus on people experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability. Our purpose is to inspire people, enliven communities and confront injustice.

Uniting leaders and employees work together to create a culture that is safe, inclusive and person-centred. We bring this to life every day through our values: compassionate, respectful, imaginative and bold.

Uniting acknowledges the continuing sovereignty and rich cultural diversity of Australia’s First Peoples. We pay our respects to all Elders – past, present, and emerging – and to all First Peoples on whose lands we live and work.

Uniting is a Child Safe Organisation committed to promoting the safety, wellbeing and inclusion of children and young people.