Accredited Practicing Dietitians are qualified and registered health professionals who can assist people to translate scientifically relevant nutritional information to their own lives and circumstances, establishing eating pattern which nourish body and mind, enabling people to live well.
A dietetic consultation can assist anyone who wants to improve their health and nutrition through food and lifestyle change, supporting people to build a healthy relationship with food and with their bodies.
Dietetic therapy not only focuses on food and eating but can also address concerns about body image, weight, physical activities and thought patterns that may be preventing people from living a healthy balanced life. The team of Dietitians and Nutritionists at Mind Body Well are experienced in this field and provide therapy at our Melbourne office and also via online sessions.
Therapy Structure
Assessment Phase
All therapy at Mind Body Well begins with an initial Assessment Phase, which may take between 1-3 sessions, depending on the complexity of the issues to be addressed in therapy. At the end of this Assessment Phase, your therapist will negotiate with you a Treatment Plan, which will outline:
the focus and goals of your therapy
the treatment approaches to be used
your treatment team - which along with seeing the Dietitian may also include one of the Psychologists at Mind Body Well
Treatment Phase
Each 'Phase' of therapy will have clear treatment goals, and a timeframe after which the effectiveness of therapy will be measured by you and your therapist. Some clients will have multiple 'phases' of treatment, whereas others may have more short term treatment.
Considering seeing a Dietitian but not sure what they offer?
Read more on the blog post about Nutritional Therapies here.
MEDICARE AND PRIVATE HEALTH CLAIMS FOR DIETETIC THERAPY
You may be eligible to claim rebates for Dietetic Therapy if you have:
A referral and Enhanced Primary Care Plan completed by your Doctor, or
Private Heath Insurance which includes Dietetic Therapy as part of your extras cover.
Please note – we do not Bulk Bill. All sessions will incur an out of pocket fee, and full payment is to be made on the day of your session. If you are eligible for a Medicare or Private Health Insurance rebate, you will be provided with a claimable receipt which you can then use to make your claim (we don't process the claims in-house).
We also provide Psychological Counselling, Eating Disorder Therapy, Telehealth / Online Therapy, and Group Therapy.
Our Melbourne Practice
At Mind Body Well we provide a supportive and safe environment which is free from judgement. Our team of experienced psychologists and dietitians can work collaboratively to help you make change and achieve your goals. We offer support for people experiencing a range of issues including body image concerns, anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, and binge eating disorder.
The team of Dietitians at Mind Body Well are all registered with the Dietitians Association of Australia, indicating they meet the level os training required to attain registration.
Online Therapy
We also offer therapy via a secure and confidential online platform for people who are unable to get to our Melbourne office. Feel free to contact us if you would like to discuss online therapy.
Want more details about Dietetic Therapy at Mind Body Well? Click the button below to see our Information Form.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Dietitian do?
Dietitians support people to take care of their bodies and wellbeing with food, with a focus on understanding eating attitudes and behaviours. Dietitians may work in a variety of settings such as private practice, community health, food service, public health, and hospitals.
What’s the difference between a Dietitian and Nutritionist in Australia?
Accredited Practising Dietitians have university qualifications which enable them to provide individual dietary counselling, medical nutrition therapy, group dietary therapy and food service management. In Australia, an Accredited Practising Dietitian is a regulated title and these professionals must adhere to a formal code of conduct.
Nutritionists are trained in a range of areas including community nutrition and public health, however they arenot qualified to provide medical nutrition therapy. The title ‘Nutritionist’ is not protected under law, therefore the profession is not formally regulated.
Do Dietitians make meal plans?
Dietitians are trained in creating meal plans with their clients; however, not all Dietitians routinely provide them. Ideally this would be individually assessed and discussed b between the client and their Dietitian. In some cases a meal plan can provide valuable assistance, however in others broader nutritional education is more appropriate.
How often should you see a Dietitian?
This is something to discussed directly with your Dietitian. The frequency of sessions can vary, often involving more frequent sessions at the beginning of therapy, and becoming less frequent once you are engaging in behaviour change. This will also vary depending on the complexity of the issues you are addressing with your Dietitian.
Can I see a Dietitian via Telehealth?
Yes, most Dietitians are able to see clients via telehealth. In Australia, you may be able to claim Medicare or Private Health Insurance rebates, check this with your Dietitian prior to commencing nutritional therapy. Some limitations may apply regarding suitability.
How can I find a good Dietitian?
Spend some time thinking about how you would like your Dietitian to support you. Once you have a list or preferences, start exploring professional websites or social media profiles to see if the Dietitians you’re researching seem aligned with your requirements. You could also ask your other health professionals for recommendations of Dietitians they know. Look for Dietitians who are accredited with the Dietitians Association of Australia.