Innovative, relationship-based therapeutic support in the Northern Rivers

If you’re here, chances are your teen has been struggling. You may have already explored different options – perhaps they haven’t connected with previous support options , or they’ve resisted help altogether. You’re seeking a solution that goes beyond the ordinary.

At Human Nature, we do things differently. Our expert team integrates evidence-based therapeutic interventions with a powerful emphasis on connection, mentorship and carefully selected and supported outdoor experiences. We meet young people where they are, cultivating trust, identifying goals, building confidence and fostering the skills they need to not just cope, but to truly thrive.

Why Human Nature?

For families seeking more than the usual options.

An approach that works when others haven’t
Many conventional mental health services aren’t designed to engage young people with more complex needs. We’ve built our entire model around them, with a track record of success for those who haven’t found the right support elsewhere.

Flexible, individualised support  support 
We prioritise lasting change. Your teen will have weekly appointments either with a qualified mental health professional or youth mentor. Appointments will occur at a time and place negotiated with you and your teen to maximise the likelihood of engagement. This may include home visits, during or after school hours, and include a walk on the beach, fishing, art and craft, shooting hoops, playing games.

Collaborative, empowering assessment tools
At every appointment, your teen’s practitioner will use Feedback Informed Therapy to allow them to provide a quantifiable measure of how they are functioning on a personal level, in their interpersonal relationships (friends and family), their general social interactions, as well as a more global measure of their overall functioning.  At the end of every appointment, they will record how they feel about the therapeutic relationship, the goals and topics, the approach to treatment, and an overall rating.

Every 3 months, they will complete a My Mind Star. The Star helps them and their practitioner identify progress against 7 key outcome areas that impact their mental health like feelings and emotions, healthy lifestyle, and school, training and work, and give clarity on where to focus next. 

These tools help us assess how long your teen needs our support. 

More than talk therapy
Through outdoor-based activities, group work and experiential learning, young people can explore their challenges in safe, supported ways, not just by talking about them.

All-inclusive, transparent pricing
Our fees cover therapy, mentoring, group programs including camps, case management, travel and more, so you know exactly what to expect, without hidden costs.

How we support you every step of the way

Clarity and transparency
We’ll make sure you know exactly what to expect – outcomes, costs, our approach and what’s involved.

A clear pathway

From enquiry to enrolment, we walk alongside families to ensure you have the information, support and confidence to make the right decision.

Respect for your teen’s privacy

As mental health professionals, we are bound by confidentiality to the young person, as our primary client. We will share information with you that is often general in nature, and relates to symptoms and ways of coping. You can view our Privacy and Confidentiality Policy here . 

What outcomes can you expect?

Our program supports young people to:

  • Build trust and connection 
  • Regulate emotions, reduce harmful behaviours and manage stress
  • Develop life skills, self-worth and confidence
  • Re-engage with education, family, community or work
  • Envision and work toward a positive future

Every young person is different, but with time and the right support, real and lasting change is possible.

Is Human Nature right for your teen?

Our program is designed for young people who:

  • are aged 14–18 years
  • are struggling with their mental health and wellbeing, aren’t in immediate crisis but need more than short-term or talk-only therapy
  • are experiencing barriers to engaging with support in clinical settings
  • live in Tweed, Ballina, Byron local government areas, and Lismore or Evans Head

We’re not the right fit for young people in acute crisis or those seeking short-term counselling only. But if your teen needs a more tailored, intensive model of care, we may be just what you’re looking for.

How the program works

Step 1: Make an enquiry – $100

Choosing the right support is a big decision. This first step ensures you have clarity and confidence before moving forward.

  • Review our program details and submit a short online enquiry form
  • Our Intake Team Leader (a Mental Health Accredited Social Worker) will contact you to discuss your teen’s needs
  • If we’re not the right fit, we’ll offer recommendations for other services

Step 2: Comprehensive assessment ($2000)

We take the time to understand your teen’s needs, strengths, and challenges, which includes gathering social, health and clinical information to work out the most appropriate level of care. 

A thorough assessment with our clinical team, includes:

  • Finding out what has worked, what hasn’t, and what is currently happening for your teen and your family. 
  • History-taking and consultation with key people in your teen’s life (such as parents or school staff).
  • Assessing beyond symptoms, we aim to understand difficulties they are experiencing, how they are coping, and identify areas they need help and support.

Step 3: Engagement phase

We will arrange an initial session for your teen to meet their allocated therapist or mentor and experience our approach. 

  • We prioritise meeting your teen where they feel most comfortable and individualise sessions to their needs and interests. 

Step 4: Therapeutic program (6-months) see pricing below

Your teen will have access to up to 6 months of comprehensive, ongoing therapeutic support:

  • One-on-one sessions with a dedicated therapist and/or mentor, tailored to their individual needs.
  • Case management and additional support when required. This can include getting into work, support with linking with other services, and groups.
  • Adventure-based activities and  small group activities (where therapeutically beneficial).
  • Parent consultations as needed for 20 minutes, with no booking needed. 

Pricing for our programs

We offer two types of programs for your teen, depending on their needs. Both of these are outlined below. All our practitioners are experienced and qualified mental health, youth work, or outdoor education professionals. 

If after assessment and the first appointment, you or your teen decides our program isn’t right for them, we’ll provide recommendations for alternative support. The cost will be $2000 for the assessment. 

All costs are up front. We will arrange for payment at each stage of the process outlined above.

Our therapist and mentor programs

Therapist program – $12,800

Our therapists are mental health professionals who specialise in supporting the young person with emotion regulation, learning new skills and coping mechanisms, and improving their wellbeing. The therapist assesses your teens needs, helps them identify their life goals, and guides them towards achieving these goals. This includes using a relational, person-centred approach and being trauma informed. 

Our therapists include clinical psychologists, social workers (mental health accredited) and specialist counsellors. 

Therapist intensive 6-month program includes: 

  • Comprehensive assessment and report
  • Individualised treatment and approach 
  • Structured treatment plan with regular sessions 
  • One on one sessions for 60-90 minutes 
  • Parent support for 20 minutes as needed
  • Follow-up administration and case management
  • Group activities and short camps (if available)

Mentor program – $10,800

The Therapeutic Mentor is a skilled, qualified and experienced professional

who provides support for the young person while doing fun, nature-based activities. The focus here is on friendly and supportive mentorship, developing life skills,

supporting education/training/employment goals, providing guidance, role-modelling and a positive influence, with a therapeutic approach.

Our therapeutic mentors include experienced youth workers with social work, welfare and/or education qualifications. 

Therapeutic mentor 6-month program includes: 

  • Supportive and goal focused sessions
  • Mentorship and guidance across various areas of life
  • One on one sessions for 60-90 minutes 
  • Positive and fun activities based sessions
  • Parent support for 20 minutes as needed
  • Case management, support and links with services, employment, and school. 
  • Group activities and short camps (if available) 


Option for extended therapeutic support

We recognise that healing and change take time. Some young people make significant progress in six months, while others need longer-term support.

After the initial six months, families have the option to extend:

  • Three-month program blocks for ongoing support ($2,800 per block).

  • Elev8 membership offers continued peer connection, small group activities, camps, and leadership development ($1,800 for 12 months). 

Frequently asked questions

How is this different from regular therapy?
We focus on engagement, individualised goal setting and experiential activities – combining therapy, mentoring and outdoor activities. We meet young people where they are, in real-life contexts that help build skills and resilience.
What kind of young people do you work best with?
We work well with young people who haven’t been able to connect with clinical services, but who need structured support. If your teen has moderate mental health challenges and struggles to thrive, we may be a good fit. This may include school refusal, addictions, difficulty regulating emotions, social anxiety, and difficulties forming and maintaining healthy personal relationships.
Is the program evidence-based?
Yes. Our model combines clinically proven, evidence-based psychological therapies and youth development interventions with fun and engaging activities in nature. The Human Nature team has developed a suite of programs that prioritise building strong trust and therapeutic alliances by meeting young people where they are (both geographically and psychologically) and carefully curating the in-depth therapeutic work required to create positive change.
How are parents involved in the program?
While the focus is on supporting your teen, we understand how important it is for parents to feel informed and supported too. Parents are offered guidance throughout the process, including the option to book pre-arranged consultations (up to 1 hour, at an additional fee). Ad-hoc calls under 20 minutes are included at no extra cost. We also make sure parents receive clear information before committing, including expected costs, program structure, and the role they’ll play in supporting their teen’s progress.
What if my teen doesn’t want help?
That’s okay, and it’s more common than you might think. Many young people are hesitant about seeking support, especially if previous experiences haven’t been positive. Our approach is specifically designed to meet young people where they’re at, without pressure. We focus on building trust and connection first, which helps shift resistance into willingness over time.
Do we have to commit to the full program straight away?
No. We take a staged approach to ensure that families feel confident and well-informed before committing to the full six-month program. After your initial enquiry and assessment, you and your teen will participate in a one-off engagement session to experience our approach firsthand. Only once you’ve had this opportunity and agree it’s a good fit would you commit to the full program.
Can we exit the program if it’s not the right fit?
Yes. We’ve designed our process so that you have multiple opportunities to decide whether to continue. From the first enquiry and intake through to the initial engagement session, each step provides a chance to evaluate whether the program is right for your teen and your family. If at any stage it doesn’t feel like a fit, we’ll do our best to connect you with more suitable options.
What if we live just outside your service area?
We are only able to support families who live in Tweed, Ballina, Byron local government areas, and Lismore or Evans Head. Due to the nature of our positive outreach model, we are unable to provide support outside these areas.
Is this program suitable for young people in crisis?
Our program is designed for young people who are facing complex challenges but are not currently in acute crisis or requiring hospitalisation. If your teen is in immediate danger or in need of crisis support, contact emergency services or the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511, a 24/7 statewide phone service which links people with NSW Health mental health services. We’re happy to speak with you when things have stabilised and discuss whether our approach may be helpful longer term.
Can I speak to someone before applying?
Yes. Once you’ve submitted the short enquiry form and paid the initial $100 fee, our Intake Team Leader will be in touch for a conversation. This is your opportunity to ask questions, learn more about the program, and make sure it feels like the right path before taking any further steps.

Take the first step

When standard services haven’t worked, it doesn’t mean your teen can’t be helped  – it means they need something different. At Human Nature, we offer a proven, model of care that helps young people grow, re-engage with life, and build a better future.

Start with an initial enquiry and conversation with our Intake Team Leader.

We’re here when you’re ready.