A gentle first visit
The first session is mostly talking and a little light movement. Your support worker or recovery coach can be there, and we can meet at home or outside.
Exercise physiologist for psychosocial disability in Sydney
Exercise physiology for psychosocial disability
Build fitness, strength and a steadier weekly routine, starting from where you are.
Getting out of the house might feel hard, or your energy and body may have changed since starting a medicine. We can start small: a walk to the end of the street, a few exercises at home or a session that flexes on harder days.
This is physical health support, not mental health treatment. It can sit alongside your mental health team, recovery coach and support workers.
A free 15-minute call about your goals and whether we can help. It's a conversation, not an assessment.
Start where you are
No fitness test to pass. We begin with what feels doable this week.
130+ families
Sydney families who've worked with our exercise physiologists and physiotherapists.
Home or close by
Sessions at home, in a quiet park or on a walk you already know.
Small movement goals for life with psychosocial disability
A goal can look modest on paper and still make a real difference to your week. You choose what feels useful and where to begin.
Getting out the door
Working up to the walk to the corner shop, the bus stop or the park, with someone beside you at first if that helps.
A rhythm to your week
A regular session time can give the week an anchor. From there, we build towards a little movement on other days too.
Strength and energy for daily tasks
Carrying the shopping up the stairs, getting through the cleaning or standing in the kitchen long enough to cook a meal.
Looking after your physical health
Some medicines used in mental health care can affect weight and energy. Exercise is one part of how you and your doctor look after your fitness and heart health.
A session that can change with the day
Some weeks are easier than others. We expect that and plan for harder days from the start, so we can adjust together when they come.
Flexible on the day
If today is hard, we can shorten the session, swap to something gentler or walk and talk instead of a full workout.
Predictable and regular
A regular day and time, the same simple structure each visit and, wherever possible, the same clinician each week.
You stay in control
You can pause, stop or say no to any exercise. We explain what we're doing and why, and we check in rather than push.
Worries before we meet
If any of these worries sound familiar, you are not alone. Here is how we can approach them.
I haven't exercised in years
That's a common starting point. We start with what you can do now, not where you think you should be, and build slowly.
I don't want to go to a gym
You don't have to. Sessions happen at home, in a quiet corner of a local park or on a walk you know. No mirrors, no crowd.
What if I cancel a lot?
Let us know as early as you can. We'll go through the cancellation terms in your service agreement before you start, and look at whether a shorter or different session suits those days better.
Will my mental health team know?
Only if you agree. With your consent, we can share updates with your GP, psychiatrist, case manager or recovery coach so everyone is pulling in the same direction.
How we start psychosocial disability exercise, step by step
These are the steps we take together. You set the pace, and it is fine if a step takes longer than planned.
Talk about what you want
We talk about your week, what feels hard right now and one or two things you'd like to do more easily. Then we look at how you move and your energy, without a big fitness test.
Start with a small, regular plan
We pick a starting level you could manage even on a harder day, then practise it together each session. Your support worker can learn it too, which makes practice between visits easier.
Build it into your life
We add a little at a time and check it against real things, like walking to the shops or managing the stairs, and adjust when life or your health changes.
Safety, urgent support and your care team
Exercise physiology doesn't diagnose or treat mental illness, and it doesn't replace your GP, psychiatrist, psychologist, case manager or recovery coach. It's one part of your support, focused on movement and physical health. If something changes, like feeling faint, chest pain or a sudden shift in how you're going, we stop and help you contact your doctor or support team.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 000. For 24-hour crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Drift Health isn't a crisis service, so please reach out to them rather than waiting for a session.
Before you start, it helps to share:
Your health history and the medicines you take, including any recent changes- Side effects that affect you, such as tiredness, dizziness or changes in weight
- Who is in your support team, and who you're happy for us to talk to
- Any safety or wellness plan you already use
- What a harder day looks like for you, and what helps
- Injuries, other health conditions or advice from your doctor about exercise
Here for Sydney participants for over 8 years
Drift Health has worked across Sydney for more than 8 years, and over 130 families have worked with our exercise physiologists and physiotherapists on fitness, strength and confidence.
What helps most is simple and steady: start small, keep a regular time, turn up when we say we will and adjust when life gets in the way.
Home sessions and nearby places
We come to your home, a local park or a walking route you know, so there's no waiting room to face. If the weather turns, we can move to a sheltered spot, your home or another venue (any venue cost is yours). Tell us your suburb and preferred times so we can check availability.
South West Sydney
Liverpool, Fairfield, Campbelltown and surrounding suburbs
Western Sydney
Blacktown, Parramatta, Penrith and surrounding suburbs
Inner West
Ashfield, Marrickville, Burwood and surrounding suburbs
CBD & inner city
Sydney CBD and nearby suburbs
The Hills & North West
Castle Hill, Kellyville and surrounding suburbs
South Sydney
Miranda, Cronulla, Sutherland and surrounding suburbs
A note from Victor
A note from Victor on starting small
I'm Victor, Director and Head Exercise Physiologist at Drift Health. When someone hasn't moved much for a while, the first goal is usually just to start, and then to keep going. A short walk you do every week can be worth more than a hard workout you dread.
We'll talk with you about what's realistic right now and build from there. If your recovery coach, support worker or someone close to you helps you plan your week, we'd like to hear from them too.
NDIS funding and your exercise plan
Exercise physiology may be funded when it meets NDIS criteria, relates to your disability support needs and fits your plan. We work with self-managed and plan-managed participants, and we'll explain the proposed service, fees and travel before you book paid sessions.
Linked to everyday function
The NDIS describes therapy supports as helping with everyday skills, including psychosocial functioning and getting around. Goals tied to daily life, like getting to the shops, are easier to link to your plan than general fitness.
Capacity Building categories
Exercise physiology is often funded through Improved Daily Living or Improved Health and Wellbeing. The category that applies depends on your plan and the support proposed.
Your recovery coach can help
A recovery coach, support coordinator or plan manager can help you check how your budget may be used. We can explain the service, but we can't approve funding.
Exercise physiologists and physiotherapists on your team
Our exercise physiologists lead this work, with physiotherapists on the team when an injury or pain needs their input. We match you with a clinician based on your goals, your suburb and what you tell us helps you feel comfortable.
Victor
Director & Head Exercise Physiologist
Jennifer
Exercise Physiologist
Michel
Exercise Physiologist
Conan
Exercise Physiologist
Tony
Exercise Physiologist
Laura
Exercise Physiologist
Joey
Physiotherapist
Lucas
Physiotherapist
Answers for participants and support people
Is this mental health treatment?
No. Exercise physiology focuses on movement, fitness and physical health. It can sit alongside your mental health care, and with your consent we keep your team in the loop. It doesn't replace your doctor, psychologist, psychiatrist or recovery coach.
What happens if I'm having a bad day when you arrive?
Tell us, even at the door. We can shorten the session, choose something gentler, take a slow walk and talk, or stop for the day. We'd rather adjust than ask you to push through something that doesn't feel right.
My medicine has changed my weight and energy. Can exercise help?
Some medicines used in mental health care can cause tiredness or weight gain. Exercise can help you build fitness, strength and energy for daily life, alongside your doctor's advice. We don't advise on medicines. Talk with your doctor before changing how you take them.
Can my recovery coach or support worker come along?
Yes, if you'd like them there. They can help with getting started, getting to a park or practising between visits. A recovery coach or support coordinator can also make the referral for you.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You, a family member, a support worker or a support coordinator can contact us. We reply within 2 business days and can usually start within 7 days, depending on your suburb and preferred times.
Can I use my NDIS plan?
It may be funded if your plan is self-managed or plan-managed and the support meets NDIS criteria. Drift Health isn't a registered NDIS provider, so NDIA-managed plans can't be used with us. Your plan manager or recovery coach can help you check your budget.
What if I need urgent help?
Call 000 if you or someone else is in immediate danger. For 24-hour crisis support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. Drift Health isn't a crisis service, so contact them straight away rather than waiting for a session.
More support for adults in Sydney
If physical health is one piece of a bigger picture, these pages explain other ways we work with adults across Sydney.
Talk about a manageable place to start
Tell us what feels hard, what you would like to do more often and who is in your support team. We can talk through whether exercise physiology suits you and what a gentle start might look like.
- Talk through a goal that feels realistic right now
- Ask how sessions can flex on harder days
- Get clear answers on availability, fees and funding
A free 15-minute call about your goals and whether we can help.