Since day one, HealthWISE primary mental health services have supported communities with diverse, adaptable programs tailored to the needs of vulnerable people.
Over the past decade, we’ve built enduring relationships with clients and health professionals, combining evidence-based care with innovative techniques.
“We’ve not shut our books once in 10 years,” said Wellbeing manager Anne Galloway. She is proud of our flexibility and resilience, offering consistent, high-quality care while adapting to changing systems and funding models.
We are continuing to strengthen our mental health workforce through professional development opportunities, such as upskilling mental health professionals in Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy. EMDR is an evidence-based therapy for trauma, which uses bilateral stimulation such as eye movements, tapping and auditory tones to promote healing by supporting the brain’s natural processing of distressing memories.
EMDR is recognised in Australian guidelines as a treatment option for people experiencing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and complex PTSD. By building this capability within our team, we’re able to offer therapies that people in rural and remote areas may not otherwise have the opportunity to access.
HealthWISE is also proud to support victim/survivors of domestic and family violence (DFSV) through the Supporting Recovery program. This pilot is a collaborative effort with local services offering practical support to complement our family orientated therapy. It is made possible through funding by the Australian Government through the Hunter New England Central Coast Primary Health Network.
Integrating intensive EMDR therapy with yoga, art therapy and mindfulness, we have been proud to host free healing and recovery retreats in Armidale and Glen Innes for victim/survivors of DFSV. These retreats are designed to provide a supportive and flexible therapeutic environment, with a mixture of individual and group EMDR sessions, trauma‑informed yoga, cultural learnings, grounding techniques and psychoeducation.
Our second retreat focused on First Nations clients and was held at The Willows, an area near Glen Innes with deep cultural significance for the Ngoorabul people. Participants painted their own clap sticks and stones and made the most of the surroundings by doing yoga by the river. A Welcome to Country water ceremony invited participants to connect with the land and the Ngoorabul people.
By continuing to invest in staff training and offering unique client-focused programs, we aim to expand therapeutic options available within our region and support communities where access to specialised trauma‑informed care can otherwise be limited.
HealthWISE is a local provider of mental health support in the New England and North West region of NSW and the Darling Downs West Moreton region of Queensland. We offer a number of services depending on where people are at in their recovery journey, including people struggling with stress at work or home, difficulties with children, grief & loss, trauma, anxiety & depression or recovering from a suicidal crisis. People can learn more or access our services by visiting our mental health page or talking to their general practitioner.
HealthWISE is not a crisis service. For immediate risks, contact emergency services on 000. For non-crisis situations outside HealthWISE business hours, reach the NSW Mental Health Access Line: 1800 011 511 or QLD Mental Health Telephone Triage: 1300 642 255.
