Eating Disorders Programs
Eating disorders lead to unhealthy eating habits that may be characterised by obsession with food, body weight and body shape. Individuals with an eating disorder may display a number of symptoms and these are most commonly purging behaviours, over-exercising, restricting food intake and food binges.
The Geelong Clinic runs two 40-day inpatient programs – LEAP and PREP (see below for further information).
Who are the programs for?
The Eating Disorders Inpatient Programs are specifically designed to assist patients 16 years and above, to progress from the acute stage of illness to a level where they can monitor and manage themselves, with support and help from the treating team.
How will they help me?
These specialised programs provide a safe and trusting environment to foster the restoration of health, whilst exploring the underlying psychological issues that accompany the illness. The evidence based programs incorporate nutrition education, emotion regulation, cognitive behavioural therapy and creative arts therapies.
Dietitians work with participants to organise the nutritional component of the programs with an emphasis on improving nutritional status and developing a peaceful relationship with food. An individualised eating plan will be developed on admission and will be reviewed regularly with meals being supervised by qualified nursing staff.
More about each Inpatient Program
LEAP supports patients to begin the process of recovery from an eating disorder and learn new skills to replace eating disorder behaviours.
Often patients admitted to LEAP will need support with weight restoration. In LEAP, all meals and snacks are prepared by the hospital and patients are supported during their meals. Patients are expected to eat three meals and three snacks per day.
LEAP offers individualised evidence-based treatment that is adapted to the patient’s unique experience and eating disorder concerns.
Both group and individual therapy are offered to patients in LEAP. Weekly groups range in content and approach, including, psychology-based groups, nutrition, art therapy, yoga and gentle movement, music therapy, as well as mindfulness and relaxation. Fortnightly individual therapy is also offered with a psychiatrist and psychologist.
LEAP also offers support with discharge planning. This takes place in order to assist patients with the transition home, enable patients to establish and engage with community treating teams and wider support networks, as well as continue working towards their unique recovery goals.
PREP supports those who have already begun their journey of recovery and to help consolidate skills in replacing eating disorder behaviours with a greater sense of autonomy. It also focuses on supporting patients learn new life skills to help move toward living a more fulfilled life.
PREP is for those who are ready to take on more responsibility as they move towards recovery. This includes assistance in challenging themselves with tasks designed to expand their ability to budget, shop, prepare, cook and eat food. Treatment is tailored to the individual and their particular vulnerabilities and strengths, with an emphasis on the whole person and their unique history.
In PREP, some meals and snacks are prepared by the hospital and others are prepared by the patient as part of their therapy. Patients are expected to eat three meals and three snacks per day.
Both group and individual therapy is provided to the patients in PREP. Weekly groups include exposure therapy (e.g., grocery shopping), psychotherapy, healthy movement and exercise. Individual therapy involves fortnightly sessions with a psychiatrist and psychologist.
Please complete the Physical Assessment form and tests outlined within the form, prior to your patient’s admission. The form can be downloaded here.
Outpatient Day Program
The Geelong Clinic also runs an outpatient group program for adults aged 16 and above, with attendance required once a week for 8 weeks.
RISE aims to support those who have made progress with recovering from eating disorder behaviours and wish to further explore how to rebuild their lives following recovery from an eating disorder.
To find out further details and the next commencement date please contact The Geelong Clinic on 03 5240 0700.
Please click HERE for further information on the RISE day program.
When do the inpatient programs run?
The inpatient eating disorders programs run on an ongoing basis. The length of each program is 40 days, with discharge planning commencing from admission to promote a recovery focused admission.
How do I access the inpatient program?
A referral letter is required from a General Practitioner (GP) or a treating psychiatrist.
Your referral can be addressed to ‘Dear Doctor’ or to one of our accredited psychiatrists and faxed to Intake on 03 5240 0799.
A physical assessment is also required by a GP to determine current physical health prior to an admission. When contact is made with The Geelong Clinic, this EDP information pack will be sent together with a form for the GP to complete when undertaking the physical assessment (this includes pathology tests and an ECG).
When the referral letter and the physical assessment are completed, an assessment appointment with a member of the EDP team will be scheduled. This is an opportunity for the team to discuss with you the history of the eating disorder, your current difficulties, and time to set goals for the programs as well as raise any questions or concerns.
The assessment appointment takes approximately 1½ hours. Patients are not admitted on the day of assessment and are contacted at a later point to discuss the outcome.
Assessment can be conducted via telephone or telehealth if you are unable attend in person. For all assessments we do request that a support person is with you and can also speak with the clinician conducting the assessment.
- Please click HERE for our Specialist Directory
How much does it cost?
All referrals are subject to a health fund check prior to admission to a program.
We have agreements with Private Health Funds. Please contact your private health provider for details surrounding any out of pocket costs of the program (e.g. this may include some medications or pathology tests).
Self-funding is also an option and we are available to assist you with questions you may have in relation to cost.
More information?
Telephone enquiries - 03 5240 0700
Email enquiries - TGCIntake@healthscope.com.au