A Dietitian assessment and support can be suitable for anyone who wants to improve their health and nutrition through food and lifestyle change.  When faced with illness of a specific health concern, sorting through complex information and advice about diet can require specialist help.  Also living in a society currently focused on health there can be many conflicting messages about food in the media.  As a Dietitian, Jo can help clients understand the basics about food and nutrition so they are better able to recognise the truth and continue to make ongoing lifestyle changes.

Jo aim's to work collaboratively with her individual clients in developing a more positive relationship with food. Jo has experience supporting clients with a wide range of clinical medical conditions including diabetes, elevated cholesterol, triglycerdies and blood pressure, bowel disturbances and polycystic ovarian syndrome.  Overall Jo has a non-dieting approach to weight management - working with clients to improve their relationship with food and their body and to reconnect with their body's hunger and satiety cues.

Jo has a strong interest and extensive experience working with Body Image, Disordered Eating, Eating Disorders as well as a non-dieting approach to weight management.  Jo has worked with Eating Disorders Foundation of Victoria in the education of school staff, health and fitness workers and coaches in the early identification, intervention and prevention of Eating Disorders and fostering an environment to support the development of a postiive body image.

More recently Jo worked clinically in the Eating Disorders Unit at The Royal Melbourne Hospital and continues to locum at The Melbourne Clinic in the Eating Disorders Program.  This has helped her develop her extensive experience working with individuals, groups and families from intensive inpatient, day program, outpatient and ongoing care; with positive outcomes.  Jo focuses on developing and using evidence based, supportive approaches; focusing on education and supporting behaviour change with clients and their families. 

Jo also works with other mental health conditions which can impact on lifestyle, health and weight, such as working with clients experiencing weight gain as a side effect of medication.

Jo has skills working with children, pre-adolescents, adolescents, adults and their family and carers.  Jo prefers to work as part of a multidisciplinary team to support people to make positive change in their relationship and behaviours with food. 

Jo has completed professional development in counseling skills, CBT, ACT, ASSIST and Mental Health First Aid which has provided her with skills to assist in making changes around food choices and behaviours; while complementing psychological therapies.

Consultations are available for individuals, couples and families. Initial individual dietary consultations are for 60 minutes at a cost of $112.00.  Review consultations are either 30 or 60 minutes with a charge of $68.00 and $112.00 respectively.

Please note that 'extras' cover on Private Health Insurance offers a rebate on dietary consultations.  A rebate from the Medicare Enhanced Primary Care Program may be receieved if a chronic health problem has been diagnoses and a referral has been provided by the General Practitioner involved.