Welcome to Thrive Wellness - Toowoomba
Thrive Wellness is a health clinic offering Clinical Psychology, Psychology, Exercise Physiology and Clinical Nutrition services in the Toowoomba area. In addition to in-person consultations in our Toowoomba clinic, our services are available via telehealth and telephone consultations Australia wide.
Our goal is to support you to be healthy in your mind and body so you can be doing what matters to you.
Our philosophy
We believe that as much as possible, people should be able to manage their own health. At Thrive Wellness our aim is to promote self management of both your physical and mental health. Our clinicians will work with you to collaboratively identify treatment goals that are important to you, have measurable outcomes and enable you be active in doing those things that matter most to you.
We recognise that relief of symptoms is only part of a bigger picture when it comes to your health. We aim to provide treatments that have functional outcomes - such as getting you active again in your work and hobbies - not just reduction of pain or distress. We believe it is important to provide you with practical resources and strategies to be able maintain the long-term health of your mind and body.
In working towards symptom relief it is useful to be aware that many treatments can seem to initially increase symptoms. This is because we often automatically adopt strategies for managing symptoms that provide short-term relief but not long-term management. Treatment may require ceasing use of these strategies of short-term relief while implementing a more effective management. This is explained in relation to psychological wellbeing in our article, "It Gets Worse Before it Gets Better" - but the same patterns also often apply for our physical health.
Our Services
We are dedicated to providing affordable, specialised treatments to all ages - children, adolescents and adults.
Our Clinical Psychologists and Psychologists offer assessments and treatment for a variety of mental health conditions, including but not limited to, obsessive compulsive disorder, borderline personality disorder, depression and anxiety.
Our Exercise Physiologists offer assessments and treatment for a range of mental health, muscular, neurological, and metabolic conditions and physical pain or injury. Treatment plans are customised to your individual needs, taking into account the interaction of factors such as physical symptoms, sleep, beliefs and emotions.
Our Clinical Nutritionist seeks to identify the physiological, biochemical and environmental contributors to your health symptoms and provides specific nutrition, exercise, lifestyle and supplement prescriptions.
Thriving - Health News & Insights
Personalised Medicine: how DNA testing can optimse medication results
Pharmacogenomic testing, also known as pharmacogenetic testing, examines how your genes affect your body’s response to medications. This testing combines pharmacology (the study of drugs) and genomics (the study of genes) to guide over-the-counter and personalised medicine prescriptions. By analysing your genetic makeup, healthcare providers can tailor treatments to ensure they are effective and safe for you.
Why is Pharmacogenomic Testing Important?
- Personalised Medicine: Pharmacogenomic testing helps doctors customise treatments based on your unique genetic profile, increasing the effectiveness of medications and reducing the likelihood of side effects.
- Improved Drug Efficacy: By understanding your genes, doctors can select medications that are more likely to work well for you, ensuring better treatment outcomes and quicker recovery.
- Reduced Side Effects: Some individuals experience adverse reactions to certain medications. Testing can identify which drugs you may be sensitive to, helping to avoid these unwanted effects.
- Optimal Dosage: Determining the right dosage can be challenging. Genetic testing helps find the correct dose for you, minimising trial and error.
- Preventing Drug Interactions: Your genetic profile can reveal how you metabolise certain drugs, preventing harmful interactions between medications.
- Cost-Effective Treatment: By reducing ineffective treatments and adverse drug reactions, pharmacogenomic testing can lower healthcare costs, avoiding unnecessary doctor visits and hospitalisations.
Who Can Benefit from Pharmacogenomic Testing?
Patients with Chronic Conditions: Those with chronic illnesses like depression, heart disease, or cancer can find more effective and safer treatment options.
Individuals with Unexplained Drug Reactions: If you’ve had adverse reactions or poor responses to medications in the past, testing can help identify the cause and suggest better alternatives.
Individuals on Multiple Medications: Those taking several drugs can benefit from testing to avoid drug interactions.
How to Access Pharmacogenomic Testing
You can discuss your interest in pharmacogenomic testing with your doctor, pharmacist, or our clinical nutritionist. They can provide information on whether it’s suitable for you and how to proceed.
Is Pharmacogenomic Testing Covered by Medicare?
Currently, pharmacogenomic testing is not subsidised under the Medicare Benefits Schedule. Patients can access private tests by referral from their GP, Psychiatrist, Paediatrician, our Clinical Nutritionist, or by purchasing an at-home test kit from a pharmacy stockist.
How Much Does Testing Cost?
Health practitioner referred: The laboratory will charge you approx $150-$300 for testing arranged by your healthcare provider. Results will be sent to your healthcare professional, so you’ll need to pay for an appointment to receive your results. Please note, if ordered through our Clinical Nutritionist, your results will be forwarded to your treating doctor.
At-home Test Kits: A MyDNA Practitioner edition “Medication” test kit (cheek swab) from your local pharmacy will cost around $100-$150. Results will be sent to your GP or pharmacist (who can forward a copy to your GP). You’ll need to make an appointment with your GP to discuss any recommended changes to your medications.
Click here to find your nearest local pharmacy selling MyDNA Practitioner edition, at-home “Medication” test kits.
What is the Testing Process?
- Sample Collection: A blood test, saliva (spit) test, or a small sample of your cheek cells is collected.
- Laboratory Analysis: The sample is analysed in a lab to identify genetic markers that influence your response to medications.
- Results Interpretation: Your healthcare provider reviews the results, considering your overall health and current medications.
- Personalised Treatment Plan: Based on the results, your doctor may adjust your medications or dosages to better match your genetic profile.
Understanding Your Results
Your test results will indicate any genetic variants that affect your response to medications. These results help your provider recommend the best treatment options, dosages, and predict potential side effects.
Additional Information
Pharmacogenomic testing is distinct from other genetic tests that diagnose diseases or assess disease risk. It focuses solely on how your genes impact medication efficacy and safety.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please speak with your healthcare provider.
Useful Information Sites and References
https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/pharmacogenetic-tests/
https://www.mydna.life/pharmacy/ – Please note, when considering the range of myDNA test kits and their applications, Thrive Wellness doesn’t recommend myDNA’s at-home consumer test kit for nutrition and wellness insights. For clients seeking nutrition and wellness gene insights, we recommend the more comprehensive and clinically valuable nutrigenomic and exercisegenomic testing, available through our clinic. On request, testing can be arranged prior to initial consultation, with results recommendations discussed during your first appointment with our Clinical Nutritionist/Accredited Exercise Physiologist.
https://www.sonicgenetics.com.au/our-tests/all-our-tests/pharmacogenomic-pgx-screen
Empower Your Wellness: Optimise Health & Wellbeing in your 40s (Nutrition)
Welcome to our video series “Empower Your Wellness: Strategies for Optimising Health and Wellbeing for Women in their 40s.” In this 8-minute video segment, our Clinical Nutritionist and Exercise Physiologist, Felicia McQueen, delves into the topic of nutrition. Tune in to discover the foods that women in their 40s should prioritise and those they should steer clear of, along with the reasons behind these choices.
The Hidden Force Behind Your Food Cravings: It’s Not About Willpower
If you’ve ever battled with food cravings and told yourself it’s just a lack of willpower, it’s time to rewrite that story. Cravings aren’t about weakness or self-control—they’re the result of complex signals from your body, including messages from the tiny but powerful microbes living in your gut. Understanding this connection can replace shame with self-compassion and empower you to make meaningful, lasting changes to your health. The Gut-Brain Connection: Why Your Cravings Aren’t Just in Your Head Your gut is home to trillions of microbes that thrive on the food you eat. These microbes aren’t passive bystanders—they actively communicate…
Mood Fuel For Teens: What to Eat for a Better Vibe
Did you know that what you eat can help improve your mood? If you’re feeling down, anxious, or just struggling with energy, making some small changes to your diet might make a big difference. Here’s a quick and easy guide on how to use food to feel better, based on solid research. Don’t worry, it’s not about being perfect—just doing your best to choose healthier options. Why Does Food Matter for Your Mood? Think of your brain as a machine—it needs the right fuel to work well. When you eat nutrient-rich, unprocessed foods, you’re giving your brain the tools it…
Gut Health is Important for Mental Health
At Thrive Wellness, we recognise that mental health is multifaceted, and addressing it from all angles is important. While psychological therapy plays a significant role in mental health care, did you know that your gut health could be just as important? The gut-brain connection influences everything from mood to cognitive function and improving the health of your gut could be your ticket to a happier mind. The Gut-Brain Connection: More Than Just a Feeling Your gut and brain are constantly communicating through what’s known as the gut-brain axis – a two-way street where your gut can influence your mood, thoughts,…
Balance: Video gaming as a space for growth
Are their benefits to gaming? How do we support our young people to thrive and uphold a healthy balance between their gaming hobby and engagement in physical activity, academic performance, and social relationships?
Guiding the Stars of Tomorrow: Empowering Your Year 12 Student for Success and Beyond
Navigating the journey of guiding a young individual through their educational years is no small feat, especially as they stand on the cusp of adulthood. This brings us to the pivotal juncture known as year 12 – a phase fraught with uncertainty. Amidst identity exploration, cognitive growth, external influences, and a myriad of other variables, both the young person and those who support them find themselves entwined in a bewildering experience. A review article completed in 2019 highlighted the possible impacts of academic stress in end of schooling students, suggesting negative impacts in sleep, mental health, academic outcomes, and substance…
The Brain Booster: How Beef Liver Enhances Your Mental Well-Being
Beef liver is a nutrient dense superfood for your mental health. It contains various essential nutrients that can positively impact brain function and emotional well-being. Aim to eat a serve off cooked beef liver each month as part of a balanced diet.