Shifting Terrains Counselling and therapy services
Shifting Terrains Counselling is a trauma-informed, integrative and evidence based therapy service for children, adolescents and their families in the Blue Mountains. My work is focused on supporting young people who are experiencing mental health challenges in what can be a uniquely complex time of life.
Shifting Terrains is led by Gareth Thomas, a Social Worker with over 10 years’ experience counselling in child and adolescent mental health settings, including complex hospital-linked presentations.
I offer individual, family, and parent counselling sessions both in-person and online. I value the creation of a safe, confidential therapeutic space to make sense of things, develop insight, nurture skills and to help navigate through life’s Shifting Terrains.
Gareth is an approved Victims of Crime Counsellor.
Accredited Member of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW)
Why Social Work?
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Many people assume a psychologist is the only option for counselling, but Social Workers are trained and recognised providers of evidence-based therapy, including CBT, trauma-informed and family-based approaches. Social workers are trained to look at the whole picture rather than focusing on symptoms alone, we consider the things that shape a young person's wellbeing every day: family relationships, school, friendships, culture, and the wider systems around them. This means therapy is practical as well as therapeutic, and can include working alongside parents, linking in with schools, and helping families navigate services when things feel overwhelming. For many families, the result is support that feels grounded, connected and focused on real life.
Areas of Focus
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Child & adolescent mental health
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Neuro Affirming approach
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I work from a gender affirming approach
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Suicide ideation and self harming
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Suicide related bereavement
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Trauma & complex trauma
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Grief & loss
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Identity and developmental transitions
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School disengagement
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Family separation & conflict
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Emotional regulation
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Neurodivergence
Service Types
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Individual counselling — young people
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Parent support sessions
About me
Navigating mental health with compassion.
Service Overview
We provide counselling and therapeutic support for children, adolescents and young adults aged 5 to 25, along with sessions for parents and carers. Every young person is different, so support is tailored to their needs, interests and stage of life.
Who we work with
Children, teenagers and young adults experiencing challenges such as anxiety, low mood, trauma, family changes, school difficulties, relationship concerns or big emotions that feel hard to manage.
Parent and carer support
Parents play a key role in a young person's wellbeing. Parent sessions offer space to talk through concerns, understand what's happening for your child, and build strategies that work for your family.
How we work
Sessions draw on evidence-based approaches alongside adventure therapy, narrative therapy and creative approaches. Sessions can take place in the therapy room or outdoors, depending on what suits each young person best.
Funding options
Support may be available through Victims of Crime, or on a private, self-funded basis. Please get in touch to discuss which option is right for you.
Making therapy accessible
Adventure therapy
Sometimes the best conversations happen outside the therapy room. Adventure therapy uses the natural environment as part of the healing process, whether that's talking while walking a bush track, settling into a quiet sit spot to slow down and notice what's around us, or sharing time around a campfire. Being outdoors can help young people feel more relaxed and less on the spot, while building confidence, connection and a sense of calm that carries into everyday life.
Narrative therapy
Narrative therapy is based on the idea that people are not their problems. Together we explore the stories young people and families tell about themselves, separate the problem from the person, and uncover the strengths, values and skills that are often overlooked. This approach helps people feel heard and supports them to shape a new story about who they are and who they want to be.
Creative approaches
Not everyone finds it easy to talk about how they feel. Using creative tools such as drawing, painting, writing, film and popular culture gives young people other ways to express themselves and make sense of their experiences. No artistic skill is needed. Creativity simply opens up new ways to connect, reflect and explore what's going on.
Shifting Terrains Counselling
My name is Gareth - He/him.
I’m a senior social worker and counsellor with over ten years’ experience supporting children, adolescents, and families across community and public mental health settings.
My practice has been shaped through working with young people navigating complex mental health challenges — including trauma, suicidality, emotional distress, family breakdown, and identity transitions.
I have experience within specialist child and adolescent services connected to hospital and community systems, supporting young people and families through high-acuity and complex periods of care. This work has involved collaboration with multidisciplinary teams across inpatient, outpatient, and community contexts.
My counselling is person centred, relational and seeks to honour the theraputic alliance.
I see mental health care in a community context and seek to develop wholeistic care plans that involve focused psycological support, interpersonal skills, and wrap around care models in an integrative method of utilising interests and skills that people have to make counselling support work well for them.
My story
Group work and support groups
SHIFTING TERRAINS WOULD LIKE TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY AND PROVIDE FREE AND LOW COST SUPPORT GROUPS AND GROUP WORK SETTINGS. PLEASE FOLLOW THE LINNK TO A GOOGLE FORM SURVEY TO HELP US UNDERSTAND WHAT IS MISSING IN THE BLUE MOUNTAINS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE AND THIER FAMLIES - WE CAN USE THIS INFORMATION TO PLAY OUR PART IN ADDRESSING THESE GAPS.
Get in Touch
Please contact me on the phone or email address below - please leave a message so I can get back to you as soon as I can.
Phone: 0488 900 503 - please leave a message!
Email: shiftingterrains@outlook.com
“The terrain may shift beneath our feet, yet the strength to navigate life’s complex transitions resides within a space of compassionate self-discovery.”
Future directions for Shifting Terrains Counselling
I am currently working on the following to create better accessibility for this counselling practice:
- Accreditation as a mental health social worker (AASW) which would provide medicare rebates under the better access scheme.
I am not able to offer this yet - But I will let you know when I get there!