For Project Clinical Lead Catherine Conomos, supporting the wellbeing of young people is something deeply personal – a purpose that has guided her throughout her career. With more than two decades’ experience in public mental health, she’s spent her life helping children and families find understanding, connection and confidence in their journey toward recovery.
To kick things off, tell us about your career journey…
I’m a Clinical Psychologist with more than 20 years’ experience in public mental health, mostly working with children and young people. I’ve held both clinical and leadership roles and now lead Gold Coast Health’s Evolve Therapeutic Services team, supporting children in out-of-home care with complex mental health needs.
I’ve also worked overseas in the United Kingdom, where I gained valuable experience with child and adolescent mental health services before returning home to continue that work here on the Gold Coast.
As Project Clinical Lead, I’m guiding Gold Coast Health’s Child and Youth Mental Health Service (CYMHS) through an exciting transition to the Proxima building at the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct – a space that will bring more of our teams and services together.
What attracted you to CYMHS?
I’ve always enjoyed working with children, young people and their families. It’s such a privilege to connect with them at a time when the right support can make a real difference.
Working with the under-18 age group means there’s a genuine opportunity to step in early, to help children and parents understand what’s happening and find strategies that make life easier.
Some of the most memorable moments are when young adults, whom we supported during their teenage years, reach out to share their achievements – whether in work, relationships, or personal growth – and express gratitude for standing by them through the difficult times.
What is your vision as Project Clinical Lead for CYMHS?
My vision is for CYMHS to be a place where young people and families feel safe, supported and understood. I want the new space to reflect that – warm, inviting and meaningful.
Our work is guided by the CYMHS principles of care: respectful connection, empowerment, seamless transition and evidence-informed practice. Those principles aren’t just words – they shape how we engage with each other and with those we care for. It’s essential that the space embodies and reflects these values.
As Project Clinical Lead, I’ve collaborated closely with Gold Coast Health’s Infrastructure project team to facilitate the CYMHS relocation to Proxima. Sharing clinical insights has been key to ensuring the new space meets the needs of children, young people and families.
How will the new space enhance care for young people and families?
The new CYMHS facility at Proxima has been designed with real intention. It draws inspiration from the Gold Coast’s natural landscape – the hinterland, Nerang River and the beaches – to create a calm and familiar environment that feels safe and culturally inclusive.
It was important we considered First Nations families in the design too, so the space feels grounded in culture and community.
One of my favourite features is the open, welcoming reception area. Our consumers and their families will walk in and think, “This feels safe. I can feel calm here”.
What challenges do you anticipate, and how will you address them?
The biggest challenge will be managing change. CYMHS teams have traditionally worked across separate sites, so this move brings a completely new way of working.
But with change comes opportunity. We’ve involved staff in re-imagining processes, mapping new workflows and shaping how the service will operate in its new home.
Being co-located will transform how we collaborate. It means simple “hallway moments” where clinicians share insight and support each other in real time.
What do you do to look after your own mental health?
I’m a mum and a wife and I work full-time in a leadership role, so maintaining balance is essential. For me, wellbeing starts with the basics: sleep, exercise, healthy eating and routine.
It’s easy to forget your own wellbeing when you’re juggling so many responsibilities, but staying grounded helps me bring my best – to my family, my team and the young people we support.
Construction for CYMHS is expected to be finished in the first quarter of 2026, with the first young people and families welcomed into the new facility during the first half of the year.
This relocation is funded through the Mental Health Levy, enabling CYMHS to expand models of care, increase service capacity and improve access for children, young people and families, while also freeing space for Adult Community Mental Health teams to expand at the Southport Health Precinct.
