Dietitian and Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician

With a degree in Nutrition and Dietetics and a diploma of counselling, Grace is highly skilled in the area of **nutrition counselling for behaviour change.** Grace has nine years experience, specialising in Eating Disorders across a range of setting including community mental health, private inpatient clinic and private practice. Her **warm, empathetic style** together with keen insights and a perceptive nature allows Grace to work well with individuals and families to **illicit change**.
Grace is very passionate about helping those suffering from eating disorders **reclaim their health through changing their thoughts and behaviour** around food. She also has a passion for mental heath and understanding those with a lived experience of mental illness. Grace has worked alongside GP’s, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Nurses and other allied health staff, giving a well rounded understanding to her work with clients.
She has completed training in Family Based Therapy (FBT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Enhanced (CBT-E), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Ten (CBT-T), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Motivational Interviewing (MI) to provide **practical and personal advice** leading to lasting change.
Her **goal** is to empower more people to **recover their natural way of eating** so they can do more of what is truly **nourishing and satisfying.**

What to expect in your first session:

Seeing an Eating Disorder Dietitian can feel daunting, especially if it's your first visit. Here's what to expect:

1. A Safe, Non-Judgmental Space

Dietitians specialising in eating disorders understand the complexity of these conditions and create a supportive environment. We are not there to criticise your food choices or your body but to help you heal your relationship with food and yourself.

2. A Collaborative Approach

The session will likely involve collaboration. We will work with you to set realistic goals based on your individual needs, preferences, and readiness for change. This might include discussing fears, ambivalence, or barriers to implementing changes.

3. A Holistic Assessment

In your first session, the dietitian may: Ask about your eating habits, food preferences, and dietary restrictions. Explore your thoughts and feelings around food, weight, and body image. Gather information about your medical history, current health, and lifestyle. Discuss any co-occurring conditions (e.g., anxiety, depression, or medical concerns like diabetes).

4. Focus on Nutrition Education and Behaviour change using a variety of modalities

You’ll learn about: - The role of nutrition in physical and mental health and the effects of Eating Disorder behaviours. Work on establishing regular eating patterns, typically three meals and 2-3 snacks daily, to stabilise blood sugar and energy levels. Cognitive Behavioural techniques - challenge negative food-related thoughts and beliefs.

6. Support Beyond the Food

Dietitians often delve into the "why" behind your eating behaviors. We might: Use tools like motivational interviewing to understand your values and goals. Help you navigate food-related anxiety, guilt, or shame. Support you in challenging disordered eating behaviours, using distress tolerance skills.

7. Team Collaboration

We will likely collaborate with your broader treatment team (e.g., psychologist, doctor, or psychiatrist), to ensure your care is cohesive.

8. A Gradual Process

Recovery takes time, and dietitians understand this. Progress is often celebrated in small steps, such as trying a new food, eating more regularly, or being honest about struggles.

9. A Focus on Building Trust

The relationship with your dietitian is key to your progress. Over time, you’ll build trust, which allows you to explore deeper concerns and work toward sustainable recovery.

10. Questions are Welcome

You can ask about anything that’s on your mind—whether it’s fears about recovery, practical strategies for meal planning, or how to handle social situations involving food.

Compassionate, Individualized Care

The focus will always be on your unique journey. The dietitian will adapt their approach to your readiness for change, respecting your pace and fostering self-compassion along the way.