The Space

 680 High St

Thornbury

Getting there

There is 1hr parking on High St and 2hr parking on Raileigh St (with the exception of spaces in front of childcare).

The 86 trams runs right to our door - Ballantyne/High St if coming from the city and Gooch/High St is going towards the city. Thornbury train station (on the Mernda line) is 550m from the clinic.

You enter through the automatic doors at 680 High St, Thornbury. The ground floor is Premier Sports Medicine.

Their reception can provide directions or you can follow our signs to the back, where you will find out waiting room by the stairs. You are welcome to make yourself comfortable and get a drink of water or full up your water bottle.

There is ground floor All Genders bathroom and you are also welcome to pop up the stairs to use the All Genders bathroom there.

Your therapist will come down to meet you in the waiting area and walk you up to the clinic room.

Rooms

  • The Sanctuary

    'The Sanctuary'. This space is about sinking in - its' depth of colour holding a mirror to the depth of our own experience. The room faces the quiet side street, has a full length couch to stretch out upon for somatic mindfulness, thoughtful touches and treasures including plants, candles, books and artwork.

    Ange entered the space quietly, smiling and sinking in. She then kicked into action mode - attending with care with sound proofing, colour balance, positioning and plant friends. Her deep commitment to her space is seen in all touches.

  • The Sun Room

    Introducing 'The Sunroom'. The space was designed with de-colonising practice front of mind. The space invites folks to honour their ancestry and engage in justice doing. The ceiling is a rich shade called Temptress. The rug is soft to touch and ground on. All furniture is recycled and has many stories, including a suitcase to honour the stories of migration.

    Gillian describes always wanting to connect with some warmth and the room has South and West facing windows. The luxurious couch is large enough for couple and family therapy sessions. There are fidgets, toys for little ones joining parent sessions.

  • Misneach

    Introducing 'Misneach'. This room is named with the Irish word for courage ("glac misneac" to take heart/it will be OK). In alignment, the space holds testament to the everyday courage of showing up as human beings. Misneach is a welcoming space where, with another, we can discover and become more of ourselves.

    Misneach is rooted in the collective, deeply affirming of the systemic influences that shape us. It recognises we are intrinsically part of the world around us. Our stories are never simply individual.

    Misneach is fiercely compassionate, supporting somatic trauma recovery and deep connection. A place of welcome.

    All furniture is gathered, gifted and recycled.

    This room chose Fiona with guidance from a visiting dream and supportive symbolism. A fresh breeze can be welcomed through the balcony door. The space has warm colours, mixed textures and a playful humour and humility of all of our humanness.

  • The Loft

    Introducing 'The Loft'. This space was designed with neurodivergence and gender expansiveness front of mind. All furniture is recycled and all art is bought directly from local artists @lucylucyone @reynolds_artist @katira.art There is independent heating and cooling and windows that open for fresh air. There are plenty of fidgets and curiosities to explore. You are welcome in this space as you are.

    Dana (she/her) curated the space and welcomes people who visit her for therapy and mentoring there. She describes being immediately drawn to the room as it was like a treehouse cubby with great cloud watching opportunities.

  • The Den

    Introducing 'The Den'. A space that created itself. Unique pieces of secondhand furniture found their way into this room building a retreat to focus and deepen. A picture window of the sky, sits above the bright dappled room giving a contained grace to the space.

    Gillian curated this room to balance the other unique energies in the space. Local artist works include a painting of the Baltic goddess of the hearth, Gabija, and an artisan upcycled lamp.

  • The Waiting Place

    A quiet place you can wait for your therapist

Accessibility

The main entry and Premier Sports Medicine reception is a moderately high sensory area - large, bright and some people noise and movement. When you pass through this space, the Northside Therapy Collective waiting area is a low sensory space - quiet, private, low lighting and soft furnishings.

The entire upstairs space is designed to be low sensory input (lamp lighting, quiet music in shared spaces, soft textures, neutral smell and consistent temperature) with some stimulating features including art work and plant friends. Let your therapist know if you would benefit from adjustments (e.g. opening/closing the blinds) in their specific therapy room. 

You are welcome to take off your shoes if this will be more comfortable for you. You can sit on the couch, find a spot on the floor or move around the space. You can let your therapist know ways you may communicate with greatest ease, with no pressure to perform in any particular way.

You can request a room be booked downstairs if upstairs is inaccessible. There is an accessible toilet on the ground floor. Support animals are welcome in the clinic rooms.

What to expect in your appointment


It is common to feel a little nervous about attending your first session with a new therapist. You may have 'imposter syndrome' and feel like unsure what you are going to say. Or you might worry that your experience is so intense that it is unlike anything the therapist has heard before. Taking the first step is courageous and we are cheering you on.

The session will generally centre on what feels important to you and the therapist may offer guidance by asking curious questions and sharing possible understanding and resources.

You can discuss the frequency of sessions you are seeking (e.g. fortnightly) and the therapist can let you know their availability.

Your therapist will let you know about their cancellation policy and payment method (e.g. invoice by email).

Your therapist will support you if you would like to explore therapy with a different therapist at the clinic. If you have a concern or complaint that you don't feel comfortable raising with the therapist, you can contact their professional registration body listed on their profile or contact hello@northsidetherapycollective.com.au.