Serotonin
Gene/Protein of the Month
Serotonin is a fundamental neurotransmitter that underpins the brain’s regulation of mood, cognition, and physiological stability.
Derived from the essential amino acid tryptophan, serotonin is synthesised primarily in the raphe nuclei and exerts its effects by binding to a diverse family of receptors (5-HT1 to 5-HT7) distributed throughout the central and peripheral nervous systems. Once released into the synaptic cleft, serotonin shapes neuronal excitability, modulates synaptic strength, and influences downstream gene expression pathways that govern neural adaptability.
It plays a pivotal role in stabilising mood, supporting emotional processing, regulating appetite and sleep–wake cycles, and coordinating autonomic functions essential for homeostasis and wellbeing.
Serotonin is also central to the brain’s capacity to integrate internal and external signals to maintain behavioural and physiological equilibrium. It fine-tunes responses to stress, shapes cognitive flexibility, and contributes to learning processes by modulating neural circuits involved in reward, inhibition, and sensory processing.
Dysregulation of serotonergic pathways is implicated in major depressive disorder, anxiety disorders, obsessive–compulsive disorder, and migraine, while peripheral serotonin abnormalities affect gastrointestinal function and metabolic regulation. Its dual role as a neurotransmitter and neuromodulator, influencing both rapid synaptic communication and longer-term plasticity, underscores serotonin’s significance as one of the body’s most versatile and essential chemical messengers.
Written by Renee Curran
If you or someone you care about lives with ADHD, you’ve probably noticed how unpredictable things can feel, focus comes and goes, energy dips, moods swing. What’s often overlooked is how much nutrition can influence these patterns.
Genomics and Mental Health: What It Is and Why It Could Change Future Care
Genomics is a word many people are starting to hear more often, especially as conversations around personalised and precision-based healthcare continue to grow. But understanding what genomics actually means, and why it matters for mental health, is still new territory for most of us.
What’s becoming increasingly clear in research is that our biology plays a far greater role in mental health than we once believed. Genetics, brain circuitry, inflammatory pathways and stress responses all interact in complex ways to shape how we feel, think and cope.
At Brain & Mind Hub, we see genomics as an important part of the future of mental healthcare. While it’s not yet part of our diagnostic process, it’s a direction we’re preparing for carefully and thoughtfully as we continue developing our precision-based, whole-body approach to care.
Understanding Genomics and Why It Matters
Genomics looks at your complete set of DNA: the biological code that influences the way your brain and body function. As Dr Nathan Wellington explains, it’s essentially “our ones and zeros… the code of our life.”
Your genetic makeup can influence:
- how your brain processes stress
- how neurotransmitters regulate mood
- how medications are metabolised
- inflammatory and hormonal pathways
- emotional sensitivity and resilience
- neural plasticity and recovery
Genes aren’t destiny. But they can offer important clues about why some people experience certain mental-health challenges — and why some treatments work better for some individuals than others.
Beyond Genetics: A Whole-Body Perspective
Genes create proteins. Proteins build structures. Those structures shape how the brain functions.
As Nathan notes, “The proteins create the structures in our body… our brains, the neurons that we have.”
This whole-body view matters. Mental health does not exist separately from physical health, it is deeply connected to it. When we combine genetics with brain imaging, EEG data, neurotransmitter patterns and lived experience, mental-health symptoms become easier to understand through a biological lens.
This is at the heart of precision-based care: understanding why someone feels the way they do, not just treating the surface-level symptoms.
Why Genomics Is Becoming Important Now
Advances in science have made it possible to understand mental health in ways that weren’t available even a decade ago. High-throughput sequencing, advanced neuroimaging, EEG brain-mapping and AI analysis are giving clinicians a clearer picture than ever before.
As Nathan explains, we now have tools “to analyse every part of our body… not just genomics, but imaging and neurotransmitters.”
This growing integration of biology and brain science means mental-health support is gradually shifting toward:
- more personalised pathways
- less trial-and-error
- earlier, more accurate insights
- better targeted treatments
- more compassionate, evidence-led care
It represents a meaningful step forward for people who have waited a long time for answers that make sense.
What Genomics Could Mean for Mental-Health Care in the Future
Once genomics becomes part of mainstream mental-health care, it could help clinicians:
- reduce guesswork around treatment
- identify likely responses and side-effect risks
- understand recurring symptoms in a deeper way
- build more accurate, personalised care plans
- support faster, more stable recovery
Nathan describes it as a future where we can “take away the trial and error” and help people “get better sooner.”
That’s not just scientific progress, it’s a more humane model of care.
Where Brain & Mind Hub Is Heading
We’re preparing to introduce genomics into our diagnostic framework in the near future as part of our commitment to precision-based mental healthcare. This approach looks at the whole person — biology, brain function, psychology and lived experience to build clearer, more personalised pathways of support. Genomics will join the integrated model we’re continuing to develop, which brings together EEG brain-mapping, psychology, psychiatry, lifestyle medicine and neuroscience-informed treatments, creating a truly whole-body approach to care.
This is the future of mental healthcare, whole-body, personalised and grounded in understanding the biology behind someone’s experience.
As Nathan shared: “I think that’s exciting.”
And we genuinely do.
Not just for the science, but for the people who deserve answers that feel clear, compassionate and tailored to them.
Dr Nathan Wellington: On how genomics is changing the future of mental healthcare.
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Written by Dr Megan Dutton
As a clinician and researcher in the field of neuroscience and mental health, I’ve seen how a precise, multidisciplinary approach to ADHD can transform lives. At Brain and Mind Hub, we’ve developed a neuroscience-informed model that integrates clinical accuracy with holistic care—ensuring individuals with ADHD receive not only a correct diagnosis but also the tools to thrive.
Why Movement is Medicine for the Mind
Don’t Let Panic Be Your Only Cardio:
Why Movement is Medicine for the Mind
Don’t Let Panic Be Your Only Cardio:
Why Movement is Medicine for the Mind
Don’t Let Panic
Be Your Only Cardio:
Why Movement is Medicine For the Mind
In modern life, many of us move less than ever before — yet we think, worry, and stress more than ever. The irony is that one of the most powerful tools for managing anxiety, depression, and emotional distress is also one of the simplest: movement.
Exercise has long been recommended for heart health and diabetes prevention, but its benefits for mental health are equally compelling. Research shows that regular physical activity doesn’t just prevent depression — it can treat it, often with outcomes comparable to antidepressant medication. Over 25 major studies have linked consistent exercise to lower anxiety, greater happiness, and improved stress tolerance.
A Cambridge study of more than 10,000 participants found that people who were more physically active weren’t just happier overall — they were happier in the moments they were active. Even a single bout of exercise can produce measurable improvements in mood, often within just ten minutes.
These effects are not merely psychological — they’re biological. Movement triggers the release of endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, which regulate mood and motivation.
Beyond chemistry, exercise also supports neurogenesis — the growth of new brain cells — particularly in regions involved in emotion regulation, like the hippocampus and limbic system. Over time, regular movement helps the brain become more resilient to stress, improves cognitive function, and enhances emotional balance.
While all forms of exercise can be beneficial, evidence suggests that a combination of aerobic activity and resistance training yields the greatest mood improvements. Activities like brisk walking, cycling, swimming, yoga, or strength training can all serve as powerful tools for mental health maintenance. What matters most is consistency — movement as a habit, not a task.
Crucially, the intensity doesn’t have to be high to make a difference. Gentle activity, especially outdoors, can be particularly restorative. Walking in nature combines exercise with exposure to green and blue spaces, which reduces anxiety and promotes calm. Physical activity also regulates the stress response by lowering cortisol and providing an outlet for pent-up energy. For those prone to panic or chronic “fight or flight” states, movement teaches the body how to return to equilibrium — transforming panic into purpose.
Exercise is empowering because it is accessible: it costs little, requires no prescription, and can be adapted for any ability level. Whether it’s a 10-minute walk, desk stretches, or a structured fitness routine, every act of movement signals to the body: you are capable, you are safe, and you are taking steps toward balance.
In a culture that often prescribes stillness for stress — sitting at desks, scrolling screens, overthinking every feeling — we may have forgotten that the mind heals through the body. Movement gives form to emotional energy, direction to restlessness, and rhythm to recovery.
So next time anxiety builds, or your thoughts start to spiral, remember that you don’t have to think your way out — you can move your way through.
Walk, stretch, dance, breathe. Don’t let panic be your only cardio. Your body already holds the medicine your mind has been waiting for.
Reference
Morton, D. P. (2018). Combining Lifestyle Medicine and Positive Psychology to Improve Mental Health and Emotional Well-being. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 12(5), 370–374. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827618766482
Written by Renee Curran
If you or someone you care about lives with ADHD, you’ve probably noticed how unpredictable things can feel, focus comes and goes, energy dips, moods swing. What’s often overlooked is how much nutrition can influence these patterns.
Dopamine
Molecule of the Month
What is Dopamine?
Dopamine is a vital neurotransmitter and neuromodulator that plays a central molecular role in how the brain communicates, adapts, and regulates behaviour.
It’s often called the “feel-good” chemical, but its role goes far beyond pleasure — it’s essential for movement, motivation, and learning.
How Dopamine Works?
Synthesised from the amino acid tyrosine, dopamine acts by binding to specific receptors (D1–D5) on neurons. This triggers intracellular signalling cascades that influence:
· Neuronal excitability
· Synaptic plasticity
· Gene expression
These processes help the brain stay flexible and responsive — adapting to new experiences and regulating behaviour.
Dopamine’s Role in Everyday Function
Dopamine is crucial for:
· Movement
· Motivation
· Reward
· Attention
· Mood
· Learning
These are all essential processes for survival and adaptive behaviour — which is why dopamine is so central to brain health.
The Brain’s Reward System
Dopamine helps encode the brain’s “reward prediction” system, reinforcing actions that lead to pleasure or success.
It’s what drives us to repeat behaviours that feel good or help us achieve goals — like eating, socialising, or solving problems.
Dopamine Imbalances and Mental Health
Disruptions in dopamine signalling are linked to several major disorders:
· Parkinson’s disease → dopamine deficiency in the nigrostriatal pathway
· Schizophrenia → dysregulated mesolimbic transmission
· Depression → altered mesocortical activity
These pathways show how dopamine affects different brain regions — and why imbalances can lead to such varied symptoms.
Why Dopamine Matters
Dopamine’s molecular function as both a neurotransmitter and a regulator of neural plasticity makes it one of the brain’s most critical chemical messengers.
It’s not just about feeling good — it’s about how the brain learns, adapts, and stays balanced.
Written by Renee Curran
If you or someone you care about lives with ADHD, you’ve probably noticed how unpredictable things can feel, focus comes and goes, energy dips, moods swing. What’s often overlooked is how much nutrition can influence these patterns.
ADHD & Nutrition:
What You Eat Can Support How You Feel
If you or someone you care about lives with ADHD, you’ve probably noticed how unpredictable things can feel, focus comes and goes, energy dips, moods swing. What’s often overlooked is how much nutrition can influence these patterns.
There’s no one-size-fits-all “ADHD diet,” but research shows that certain nutrients and dietary habits can support brain health and help manage symptoms. At Brain & Mind Hub, we take a whole-person approach, looking at how food, mood and energy interact in everyday life.
Micronutrients Matter
Some nutrients play a key role in brain function and emotional regulation.
- Omega-3 fatty acids may help improve attention and reduce hyperactivity.
- Zinc, iron, and magnesium deficiencies are common in ADHD and can affect mood, sleep, and impulsivity.
These nutrients aren’t magic fixes, but they’re part of the foundation for a well-functioning brain.
Patterns Over Perfection
It’s not just about individual nutrients, it’s about how you eat day to day. Diets rich in whole foods, lean proteins, fibre, and healthy fats (like those found in the Mediterranean diet) can help stabilize blood sugar and reduce inflammation, both of which are linked to ADHD symptoms.
Some people also benefit from elimination diets, removing things like artificial colours or certain allergens. But this isn’t something to try alone; it’s best done with guidance to make sure your body still gets what it needs.
Gut Health and the Brain
Emerging research shows that the gut-brain axis plays a role in ADHD. A healthy gut microbiome may support better mood, focus, and energy. That’s why we often look at things like fermented foods, prebiotics, and fibre when building a nutrition plan.
What We Offer
Our Dietitian, Renee works with clients to create personalised nutrition strategies that support ADHD, gut health, and emotional wellbeing. Her approach is warm, practical, and grounded in evidence. Whether you’re navigating food sensitivities, energy crashes, or just want to feel more balanced, she’s here to help.
Nutrition isn’t a replacement for therapy or medication, but it can be a powerful complement. If you’re curious about how food might be affecting your focus, mood, or sleep, we’d love to support you.
Written by Dr Megan Dutton
As a clinician and researcher in the field of neuroscience and mental health, I’ve seen how a precise, multidisciplinary approach to ADHD can transform lives. At Brain and Mind Hub, we’ve developed a neuroscience-informed model that integrates clinical accuracy with holistic care—ensuring individuals with ADHD receive not only a correct diagnosis but also the tools to thrive.
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor
Gene/Protein of the Month
What is BDNF?
Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) is a neurotrophin — a protein critical for neuronal growth, survival, and synaptic plasticity.
Structurally, BDNF is a 27 kDa protein composed of 247 amino acids, folded into a characteristic “cysteine knot” structure that stabilises its activity.
Think of BDNF as a key player in keeping your brain adaptable, resilient, and capable of learning.
The Genetics Behind BDNF
The BDNF gene, located on chromosome 11p14.1, spans more than 70 kilobases and includes multiple promoters, allowing tissue-specific and activity-dependent regulation.
This means BDNF can be turned on or off in different parts of the body depending on what’s needed — like a smart switch for brain health.
Val66Met: A Small Change with Big Impact
One well-studied variation, the Val66Met polymorphism, alters the secretion of BDNF, affecting stress resilience and therapeutic response.
This genetic variation can influence how well someone copes with stress or responds to treatments like antidepressants or therapy.
BDNF in Mental Health: Why It Matters
Reduced BDNF expression and signalling are consistently observed in:
- Depression
- PTSD
- Bipolar disorder
- Schizophrenia
This underscores its cross-diagnostic importance.
BDNF isn’t just relevant to one condition — it’s a common thread across many mental health challenges.
A Target for Precision Psychiatry
Because of its central role in synaptic plasticity and stress adaptation, BDNF is considered a key biomarker and therapeutic target in precision psychiatry.
In the future, treatments may be tailored based on your BDNF levels — helping personalise care for better outcomes.
Written by Renee Curran
If you or someone you care about lives with ADHD, you’ve probably noticed how unpredictable things can feel, focus comes and goes, energy dips, moods swing. What’s often overlooked is how much nutrition can influence these patterns.
Clinical Psychologist
About Thompson Brain & Mind Healthcare
Thompson Brain & Mind Healthcare (TBMH) is a leading provider of neuroscience-driven mental healthcare on the Sunshine Coast. Our multidisciplinary team integrates medicine, neuroscience, and clinical research to deliver precision, person-centred care across the full spectrum of mental health needs.
At the forefront of translational neuroscience, TBMH rapidly applies research insights to clinical practice through our dedicated clinical trials unit, advancing innovative treatments in psychiatry and neuromodulation in partnership with leading institutions.
If you share our commitment to redefining mental health through evidence-based, integrated care and pioneering research, we invite you to join our dynamic team.
- Join a cutting-edge neuroscience-based clinic at the forefront of innovation & research
- Employment type: part-time or full-time
- Competitive salary & research opportunities
- Enjoy a workplace that values work-life balance and professional development
- Central Sunshine Coast location within an innovative and progressive practice setting
About You
Are you a passionate and forward-thinking Clinical Psychologist ready to make a meaningful impact in both clinical care and research? Do you thrive in environments that challenge the status quo and embrace innovation, neuroscience, and precision mental health?
We’re looking for a standout clinician to join our dynamic team, working across clinical service delivery and cutting-edge research, including clinical trials and novel treatment programs. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a nationally recognised, neuroscience-based clinic that is redefining mental health care for the future.
Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including those who identify as having cultural and linguistic diversity, First Nations, LGBTQIA+, lived experience of mental illness and recovery, neurodiversity and disability.
About the role
- Deliver high-quality, trauma-informed mental health care.
- Contribute to clinical trials and research projects.
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team including psychiatrists, lifestyle medicine practitioners and neuroscientists.
- Help shape and refine innovative treatment models and digital health solutions.
- Participate in knowledge translation, publications, and sector-leading initiatives.
Essential Qualifications
- Degree in Psychology or equivalent
- PhD or PsyD highly desirable
- Current registration with AHPRA
- Ongoing commitment to CPD and supervision activities as stipulated by AHPRA annual registration requirements
- Current APS membership
- Medicare registration eligibility
- Current criminal record screening, Blue Card and Yellow Card
- Minimum 5 years full-time clinical experience across diverse mental health settings
Key Competencies
- Proficient in delivering a wide range of psychological interventions, including CBT, EMDR, DBT, ACT, and other evidence-based modalities tailored to individual client needs.
- Skilled in conducting educational, psychometric, neuropsychological, ADHD, and/or ASD assessments, with a strong understanding of diagnostic frameworks and reporting standards.
- Demonstrated experience supporting clients with trauma and PTSD, with Trauma-Informed Care training highly regarded.
- Experience working with individuals experiencing eating disorders, with ANZAED accreditation preferrable.
- Familiarity with working under NDIS and DVA funding models, including understanding of service agreements and reporting requirements
- Highly developed communication, organisational, and interpersonal skills
- Proven ability to work both independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
- Commitment to ongoing professional development, reflective practice, and maintaining high standards of ethical care
Pay Scale Information:
TBMH values the contribution each team member brings to our organisation. Final determination of a successful candidate’s starting pay will vary based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to education and experience within the job or the industry. The pay scale listed for this position is generally for candidates that meet the specified qualifications and requirements listed on this specific job description. Additional pay may be determined for those candidates that exceed these specified qualifications and requirements. We provide a competitive package that recognises your experience, credentials, and education.
TBMH is a leader in brain and mind health. As a premier employer, you’ll find an environment that’s alive with learning, rooted in care and compassion, and home to thought leadership and unwavering support. We are dedicated to creating hope and building healthier futures – for our clients, as well as for you and your career!
How to apply
All applications should include your CV and a cover letter that clearly outlines why you would like to join our team, how your experience aligns with the position description and meets the role criteria, and your hours of availability. Applications can be sent by email to careers@tbmh.org.au
At TBMH, our work matters. And so do each and every one of our valued team members. TBMH is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants for all positions without regard to race, colour, religion, creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran or military status, genetic information or any other legally protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Diversity inspires innovation. Our experiences, perspectives and backgrounds allow us to better serve our patients and create a strong community at TBMH.
Ready to be part of something truly different? Apply now. Let’s reimagine mental health care-together.
CLOSING DATE: Interviews will be conducted as applications come in so apply early.
Psychologist or Mental Health Social Worker – Clinical Research
About Thompson Brain & Mind Healthcare
Thompson Brain & Mind Healthcare (TBMH) is a leading provider of neuroscience-driven mental healthcare on the Sunshine Coast. Our multidisciplinary team integrates medicine, neuroscience, and clinical research to deliver precision, person-centred care across the full spectrum of mental health needs.
At the forefront of translational neuroscience, TBMH rapidly applies research insights to clinical practice through our dedicated clinical trials unit, advancing innovative treatments in psychiatry and neuromodulation in partnership with leading institutions.
If you share our commitment to redefining mental health through evidence-based, integrated care and pioneering research, we invite you to join our dynamic team.
- Join a cutting-edge neuroscience-based clinic at the forefront of innovation & research
- Employment type: part-time or full-time
- Competitive salary & research opportunities
- Enjoy a workplace that values work-life balance and professional development
- Central Sunshine Coast location within an innovative and progressive practice setting
About You
Are you a passionate and forward-thinking Psychologist or Mental Health Social Worker ready to make a meaningful impact in both clinical care and research? Do you thrive in environments that challenge the status quo and embrace innovation, neuroscience and precision mental health?
We’re looking for a standout clinician to join our dynamic team, working across clinical service delivery and cutting-edge research, including clinical trials and novel treatment programs. This is a unique opportunity to be part of a nationally recognised, neuroscience-based clinic that is redefining mental health care for the future.
Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including those who identify as having cultural and linguistic diversity, First Nations, LGBTQIA+, lived experience of mental illness and recovery, neurodiversity and disability.
About the role
- Deliver high-quality, trauma-informed mental health care.
- Contribute to the design and implementation of clinical trials and research projects.
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team including psychiatrists, lifestyle medicine practitioners and neuroscientists.
- Help shape and refine innovative treatment models and digital health solutions.
- Participate in knowledge translation, publications, and sector-leading initiatives.
- This role requires flexibility in working hours, as participation in the clinical trial may involve extended times and variable scheduling to meet research and clinical needs.
Essential Qualifications
- Accredited Mental Health Social Worker (AMHSW) with a Masters qualification and current membership with the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW), or
- General or Clinical Psychologist (PhD or PsyD would be highly desirable) with current AHPRA registration
- Valid professional indemnity insurance
- Current criminal record screening, Blue Card and Yellow Card
- Minimum 3 years full-time clinical experience across diverse mental health settings
- Prior experience in clinical research or trials is highly desirable
Key Competencies
Clinical Excellence
- Proven capability in counselling, case management and delivering evidence-based therapeutic interventions
- Expertise in trauma-informed care and working with complex mental health presentations
- Desired: Experience working with NDIS and DVA clients, including understanding of funding pathways, reporting requirements, and tailored care planning.
Research & Clinical Trials:
- Experience or strong interest in clinical research
- Participant recruitment and informed consent
- Conducting structured assessments and outcome measures
- Adherence to trial protocols and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) standards
- Ethical data collection, documentation, and reporting
- Collaboration with research teams, investigators, and ethics committees
- Familiarity with electronic data capture systems or clinical trial management systems (CTMS)
Innovation & Impact
- Passion for transforming mental health care through research and innovation
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving clinical research environment
Collaboration & Communication
- Highly developed interpersonal, organisational, and communication skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team
Pay Scale Information:
TBMH values the contribution each team member brings to our organisation. Final determination of a successful candidate’s starting pay will vary based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to education and experience within the job or the industry. The pay scale listed for this position is generally for candidates that meet the specified qualifications and requirements listed on this specific job description. Additional pay may be determined for those candidates that exceed these specified qualifications and requirements. We provide a competitive package that recognises your experience, credentials, and education.
TBMH is a leader in brain and mind health. As a premier employer, you’ll find an environment that’s alive with learning, rooted in care and compassion, and home to thought leadership and unwavering support. We are dedicated to creating hope and building healthier futures – for our clients, as well as for you and your career!
How to apply
All applications should include your CV and a cover letter that clearly outlines why you would like to join our team, how your experience aligns with the position description and meets the role criteria, and your hours of availability. Applications can be sent by email to careers@tbmh.org.au
At TBMH, our work matters. And so do each and every one of our valued team members. TBMH is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants for all positions without regard to race, colour, religion, creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran or military status, genetic information or any other legally protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Diversity inspires innovation. Our experiences, perspectives and backgrounds allow us to better serve our patients and create a strong community at TBMH.
Ready to be part of something truly different? Apply now. Let’s reimagine mental health care-together.
CLOSING DATE: Interviews will be conducted as applications come in so apply early.
Mental Health Nurse Practitioner – Clinical Research
About Thompson Brain & Mind Healthcare
Thompson Brain & Mind Healthcare (TBMH) is a leading provider of neuroscience-driven mental healthcare on the Sunshine Coast. Our multidisciplinary team integrates medicine, neuroscience, and clinical research to deliver precision, person-centred care across the full spectrum of mental health needs.
At the forefront of translational neuroscience, TBMH rapidly applies research insights to clinical practice through our dedicated clinical trials unit, advancing innovative treatments in psychiatry and neuromodulation in partnership with leading institutions.
If you share our commitment to redefining mental health through evidence-based, integrated care and pioneering research, we invite you to join our dynamic team.
- Join a cutting-edge neuroscience-based clinic at the forefront of innovation & research
- Employment type: part-time or full-time
- Competitive salary & research opportunities
- Enjoy a workplace that values work-life balance and professional development
- Central Sunshine Coast location within an innovative and progressive practice setting
About You
Are you a passionate and experienced Mental Health Nurse Practitioner ready to take your career to the next level? Do you thrive in dynamic, fast-paced environments where clinical innovation, neuroscience, and compassionate care intersect?
We’re seeking a masters-qualified Mental Health Nurse Practitioner to join our progressive, research-driven clinic delivering precision mental health care to individuals with complex needs. This is a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of a novel treatment clinic and contribute to clinical trials and translational research in mental health and neuroscience.
Applicants from diverse backgrounds are encouraged to apply, including those who identify as having cultural and linguistic diversity, First Nations, LGBTQIA+, lived experience of mental illness and recovery, neurodiversity and disability.
About the role
- Deliver high-quality, trauma-informed care to clients presenting with a broad range of mental health conditions, including mood disorders, anxiety, PTSD, complex trauma and neuropsychiatric presentations.
- Work within a neuroscience-based, lifestyle-integrated clinic that values innovation and whole-person care.
- Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team including psychiatrists, psychologists, lifestyle medicine practitioners and researchers.
- Contribute to the design and delivery of clinical trials and innovative treatment programs.
- Support the development of digital mental health platforms and contribute to research translation into clinical practice.
- This role requires flexibility in working hours, as participation in any clinical trial may involve extended times and variable scheduling to meet research and clinical needs.
Essential Requirements
- Current AHPRA registration and relevant medical qualifications.
- Valid professional indemnity insurance.
- Up-to-date criminal record screening, Blue Card, and Yellow Card.
- Minimum 5 years full-time clinical experience across diverse mental health settings.
- Prior experience in research and clinical trials is highly desirable.
Key Competencies
Clinical Expertise: Advanced skills in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning across a broad spectrum of mental health conditions.
Trauma-Informed Practice: Strong understanding of trauma, PTSD, and recovery-oriented care models.
Leadership & Autonomy: Proven ability to work independently and lead within collaborative, multidisciplinary environments.
Research & Innovation:
- Experience or keen interest in clinical trials, ethical research practices, and data collection.
- Ability to translate research into practice and contribute to evidence-based program development.
- Familiarity with protocol adherence, participant engagement and outcome monitoring.
Communication & Collaboration: Exceptional interpersonal skills and the ability to engage effectively with clients, families, and stakeholders.
Professional Development: Commitment to lifelong learning, reflective practice and fostering a culture of clinical excellence.
Pay Scale Information:
TBMH values the contribution each team member brings to our organisation. Final determination of a successful candidate’s starting pay will vary based on a number of factors, including, but not limited to education and experience within the job or the industry. The pay scale listed for this position is generally for candidates that meet the specified qualifications and requirements listed on this specific job description. Additional pay may be determined for those candidates that exceed these specified qualifications and requirements. We provide a competitive package that recognises your experience, credentials, and education.
TBMH is a leader in brain and mind health. As a premier employer, you’ll find an environment that’s alive with learning, rooted in care and compassion, and home to thought leadership and unwavering support. We are dedicated to creating hope and building healthier futures – for our clients, as well as for you and your career!
How to apply
All applications should include your CV and a cover letter that clearly outlines why you would like to join our team, how your experience aligns with the position description and meets the role criteria, and your hours of availability. Applications can be sent by email to careers@tbmh.org.au
At TBMH, our work matters. And so do each and every one of our valued team members. TBMH is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants for all positions without regard to race, colour, religion, creed, national origin, sex, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran or military status, genetic information or any other legally protected basis under federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances. Diversity inspires innovation. Our experiences, perspectives and backgrounds allow us to better serve our patients and create a strong community at TBMH.
Ready to be part of something truly different?
Apply now. Let’s reimagine mental health care-together.
CLOSING DATE: Interviews will be conducted as applications come in so apply early.
TBMH Is Hiring!
The Thompson Brain and Mind Healthcare team is expanding! Ever wondered what it’s like to be at the forefront of mental health innovation? Help shape the future of mental health care on the Sunshine Coast and be part of cutting-edge research that makes a real impact.
We’re recruiting for the following roles:
Why Work With Us?
- A clinic at the cutting edge of research and clinical innovation
- A supportive, multidisciplinary team that values collaboration and learning
- Opportunities to contribute to clinical trials and pioneering treatment models
- A workplace culture that prioritises growth, balance and wellbeing
Written by Dr Megan Dutton
As a clinician and researcher in the field of neuroscience and mental health, I’ve seen how a precise, multidisciplinary approach to ADHD can transform lives. At Brain and Mind Hub, we’ve developed a neuroscience-informed model that integrates clinical accuracy with holistic care—ensuring individuals with ADHD receive not only a correct diagnosis but also the tools to thrive.