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Conference/Symposium

Integrative Mental Health Symposium 2027

Date
Friday, 5 March 2027
Time
10:00 AM - 6:15 PM (NSW Time)
9:00 AM - 5:15 PM (QLD Time)
Location
Other
Registrations open
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Categories

Hosted by:
National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine
Event cost:
$25 - $120

Integrative Mental Health: Research into Practice

The Integrative Mental Health Symposium 2027 will bring together leading researchers, clinicians, educators and industry professionals to explore the rapidly evolving field of integrative mental health. 

Under the theme "Research into Practice", the symposium will examine how emerging evidence can be translated into real-world clinical outcomes through collaborative, person-centred and multidisciplinary approaches to mental healthcare. 

The program will feature keynote presentations, expert panel discussions, networking opportunities and concurrent streams focused on nutrition, lifestyle medicine, herbal and nutraceutical interventions, nature-based therapies, mindfulness, movement and behaviour change. 

Designed for healthcare practitioners, researchers, educators, students and allied health professionals, the symposium provides an opportunity to engage with contemporary evidence, discover innovative approaches to care and connect with a growing community committed to advancing mental health and wellbeing. 

Registrations open

“Integrative mental health is grounded in evidence, guided by person-centred care, and strengthened through collaboration across diverse approaches that support the health and wellbeing of the whole person.”

Profile shot of Carrie Thomson-Casey
Dr Carrie Thomson-Casey Lecturer/Clinical Psychologist

Research. Collaboration. Innovation. Wellbeing

Why attend? 

Participants will have the opportunity to: 

  • Explore the latest research and clinical developments in integrative mental health. 
  • Learn from leading national and international experts. 
  • Discover evidence-informed approaches that support mental wellbeing. 
  • Gain practical strategies that can be applied in clinical practice. 
  • Connect with practitioners, researchers, students and industry leaders. 
  • Participate in discussions on the future of integrative and collaborative mental healthcare. 
  • Explore pathways for research collaboration and postgraduate study. 
A group of professionals meeting

Research into Practice

Topics include

  • Integrative Mental Health & Interprofessional Collaboration
  • Herbal and Nutraceutical Approaches
  • Mind-Body, Meditation & Mindfulness
  • Movement, Motivation & Behaviour Change
  • Nutritional & Metabolic Psychiatry
  • Connection, Nature & Wellbeing 

Sponsor the Integrative Mental Health Symposium

Position your organisation at the forefront of integrative mental health by connecting with influential leaders, researchers, practitioners, and decision-makers driving innovation in mental healthcare. 

Download our 2027 Sponsorship Prospectus
Profile shot of Carla Anderson

Carla Anderson

Clinical Psychologist

Carla Anderson is a Clinical Psychologist, Trainer, Supervisor, Florist and Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner. She founded the Perinatal, Child and Family Hub and Carla Anderson Clinician Training, bringing her 25 years’ experience in perinatal and infant mental health. Her work integrates nature-based and floristry through Floriful groups and The Clinician In Bloom®.

Jessica Bayes headshot

Dr Jessica Bayes

Maurice Blackmore Research Fellow

Jessica is a clinical nutritionist and researcher who has worked extensively in the health and wellness industry for the past ten years. She is continuing her work in nutritional psychiatry and is developing a program of research that will centre around diet and mental health, aiming to support vulnerable populations with a "food as medicine" approach.

Profile photo of Carrie Thompson-Casey

Dr Carrie Thomson-Casey

Lecturer in Psychology/Integrative Medicine/Lifestyle Medicine

Carrie is a clinical psychologist with qualifications in naturopathy and nutrition. Carrie’s research focuses on integrative mental health interventions, like nutrition and herbal medicine, to improve mental health outcomes.

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Dr David Casteleijn

Naturopath

Dr Casteleijn completed his PhD at UTS in 2026. He lectures for Torrens University on topics such as collaborative client care and clinical risk management. He has 35 years’ experience in practice of Naturopathy and works with clients presenting with mental health concerns at his practice Herbs on the Hill.

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Dr Hope Foley

Senior Research Fellow, National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine

Dr Hope Foley is a Senior Research Fellow at NCNM, SCU, with a background in naturopathy and an established research presence at the intersection of public health and traditional, complementary and integrative medicine. Her research interests include planetary health, knowledge translation and the health-promoting role of the patient-provider relationship.

Profile shot of Chrissy Freer

Dr Chrissy Freer

Registered Nutritionist, Research Fellow, Southern Cross University

Dr Chrissy Freer is a Research Fellow at SCU and a Registered Nutritionist whose work spans clinical trials, dietary interventions and integrative approaches to physical and mental health. She researches muscle health, chronic disease prevention, anti‑inflammatory nutrition and the relationship between dietary patterns, mental health and healthy ageing.

Profile shot of Brad Leech

Dr Brad Leech

Clinical Nutritionist and Herbalist

Dr Brad Leech is an internationally recognised, PhD-qualified Clinical Nutritionist and Herbalist specialising in autoimmune and complex gastrointestinal conditions. Through The Academy by Dr Brad Leech, he has mentored thousands of practitioners, with programs in microbiome assessment and management, paediatric microbiome care and integrative autoimmune medicine that elevate clinical outcomes.

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Dr Julia Marsden

Clinical Psychologist

Dr Julia Marsden is a Clinical Psychologist, researcher and psychology lecturer with a passion for compassion, mental health and translating science into practice. A time-poor mum of two, Labrador enthusiast and keen runner, she is personally familiar with the challenge of fitting self-care into a life already rather full.

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Andrew Moloney

Accredited Exercise Physiologist

Andy Moloney is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist and founder of Gold Coast Health & Performance. Since 2013, his clinical and teaching work has explored the relationship between movement, mental health and lived experience. Beginning Somatic Experiencing training in 2026, his work asks how we can help people heal their relationship with movement.

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Paula Rankmore

Program Manager, First Nations Health Equity, Gold Coast Health

Paula Rankmore is a Gomeroi woman and Program Manager, First Nations Health Equity at Gold Coast Health. She works across culturally responsive healthcare, First Nations health equity and community engagement. Paula developed Culture Therapy, exploring how First Nations cultural knowledge, practices and connection can support wellbeing, identity, belonging and culturally responsive care.

Profile shot of Prof Amie Steel

Professor Amie Steel

Professor of Public Health, National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine

Professor Amie Steel is a Professor in Public Health and Director of the Australian Research Consortium in Complementary and Integrative Medicine (ARCCIM) at Southern Cross University. Amie has led the world's first global traditional medicine research strategy for the WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre and is ranked as the #1 Traditional and Complementary Medicine Researcher in Australia (2021-present).

Program Schedule

Time Activity
8.30am Event commences
Welcome to Country
8.45am Institutional Welcome 
9.00am-10.30am

Morning session - Botanicals

9:00am-9:30am
Opening Keynote Address
TBC

9:30am-9:50am 
"Individualised Herbal medicine prescription for Anxiety or Depression"
Dr David Casteleijn, Herbs on the Hill

9:50am-10:10am 
"First Nations botanical relationships with Country and wellbeing"
Paula Rankmore, Queensland Health

10:10am-10:30am
Panel Discussion & Q&A
10.30am-11.00am

Morning Tea & Exhibitor Showcase
11.00am-12.30am

Morning session - Gut & Nutrition

11:00am-11.20am 
"Feeding mental health: How clinicians can apply dietary interventions in Autism care"
Dr Jessica Bayes, National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Southern Cross University

11:20am-11:40am 
"The Microbiome in cognitive decline & mental health"
Dr Brad Leech, The Academy by Dr Brad Leech

11:40am-12:00pm 
"Anti-inflammatory dietary patterns for depression and anxiety"
Dr Chrissy Freer, National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Southern Cross University

12:00pm-12:30pm
Panel Discussion & Q&A
12.30pm-1.30pm Lunch & Networking
1.30pm-3.15pm

Afternoon session - Mind & Movement approaches

1:30pm-1.50pm 
"Why we move matters - Motivation, regulation and the experience of exercise"
Andrew Moloney, Gold Coast Health and Performance

1:50pm-2:10pm 
"Therapeutic Yoga as an adjunct to mental health care: Outcomes and clinical considerations"
Professor Melissa O'Shea, Deakin University

2:10pm-2:30pm 
"Who has time for mindfulness and self-compassion? Closing the self-care gap for busy practitioners"
Dr Julia Marsden, Southern Cross University

2:30pm-2:50pm 
"Beyond the bouquet: Using floristry as a nature-based approach to wellbeing, connection and reflection"
Carla Anderson, Carla Anderson Clinician Training & Perinatal Child and Family Hub)

2:50pm-3:15pm
Panel Discussion & Q&A
3.15pm-3.45pm Afternoon Tea
3.45pm-5.05pm

Afternoon session - Connection & Nature

3:45pm-4.05pm 
"Forging solidarity and community wellbeing in integrative primary healthcare"
Dr Kirsten Baker, Southern Cross University

4:05pm-4:25pm 
"Nature prescribing in practice: extending holism to planetary health"
Dr Hope Foley, National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Southern Cross University

4:25pm-4:45pm 
Closing Keynote Address
"Preventive support for mental health by TCIM practitioners"
Professor Amie Steel, National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine, Southern Cross University

4:45pm-5:05pm
Panel Discussion & Q&A
5.05pm - 5.15pm

Closing remarks and future horizons
From integrative research to interprofessional practice
Dr Carrie Thomson-Casey, Southern Cross University
5.15pm

Event Close

 
*Program subject to change

Event location

Southern Cross University Gold Coast Campus
Gold Coast Airport
Terminal Drive
Bilinga QLD 4225

Preferred accommodation

Rydges Gold Coast
Lot 5 Terminal Drive
Bilinga QLD 4225

Contact the Event Organisers

FoHEvents@scu.edu.au