Nutrition & Dietetics @ Docklands Health
Nutrition and Dietetics at Docklands Health
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 Dietitians at Docklands Health are have extensive experience and can help you face-to-face or through a virtual appointment.
Therapy Structure
Assessment Phase
All therapy at Docklands Health 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 Dietitian will discuss 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 Docklands Health
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 Dietitian. Some clients will have multiple ‘phases’ of treatment, whereas others may have more short-term treatment.
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, we will process the rebate for you on the day of your appointment.
We also provide Psychological Counselling – if you wish to or are recommended to see the psychologist, you can book online here: www.docklandshealth.com.au/psychology
Our Practice
At Docklands Health we provide a supportive and safe environment that is free from judgement. Our team of experienced psychologists and dietitians can work collaboratively to help you make changes 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 Dietitians at Docklands Health are all registered with Dietitians Australia, indicating they meet the level of 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 book online below for a virtual consultation.
Lauren Le Fevre
Dietitian
I’m Lauren and I’m an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD). APDs have the qualifications and skills to provide expert nutrition and dietary advice. Diet influences all aspects of health, both physical and mental, through a series of complex mechanisms. Using knowledge of these and realistic, practical strategies my goal is to support and encourage clients to nourish themselves back to health. Eating for health and joy is achievable and I love being part of that journey!
I have been practising as a Dietitian for 15 years and have a wealth of experience in a range of clinical areas including gastrointestinal disorders, weight concerns, undernutrition, allergies and intolerances, and management of diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Outside of Docklands Health, I am the clinical lead in diabetes at Austin Health and a clinical lecturer for Swinburne University students.
Outside of work, I love to explore, spend time with those dear to me and feed veggies to our cheeky bunnies Honey & Coco.
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 are not 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 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 professional body Dietitians Australia.
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