DR CHRISTIE BENNETT (APD, CEDC)

She/Her

Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD)

Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician (CEDC)

BNutDiet (Hons) and PhD

Dr Christie Bennett is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian, educator and researcher.    While  Christie  has experience with a wide variety of nutrition concerns, she has particular expertise in eating disorders, disordered eating and the intersection with women’s health (including fertility, pregnancy and PCOS).   Christie  utilises multiple approaches in her practice including elements of cognitive behavioural therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, feminist and social oppression theories through a trauma-informed and size-inclusive (HAES) lens. In her clinical and research work she works to privilege lived experience, appreciating that you are the expert of your body and mind.    Christie  holds a PhD and a Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics with Honours from Monash University. Her PhD project was focused on investigating factors that may influence glucose tolerance during pregnancy, with a particular focus on sleep. She currently works at Monash University as a Lecturer and Research Fellow. Her current research involves investigating how best to support those with eating disorders and women's health conditions such as PCOS.    Outside of work, she is a mum, cheese lover, yogi, reader and wine drinker. She likes when she can be in and around water; beach, pool, river, lake or bathtub she isn't picky as long as it is wet, and she can get in it.

BOOKING DETAILS:

Christie is currently on maternity leave. If you are an existing client seeking support in her absence, please call reception on (03) 9087 8379.

What will happen at the first session with an Eat Love Live Dietitian?

EAT LOVE LIVE POLICY

We require that all clients be linked in with regular medical support to ensure their ongoing medical safety.

We require clients to be engaged with or planning to engage with psychological support to ensure that we are providing safe, ethical and evidence-based support.

AGE LIMITS FOR ACCEPTING NEW REFERRALS: 

Please note some practitioners have boundaries on the age of clients they will accept as new referrals. 

We request that for all new clients aged 15 years and younger that a pre-assessment questionnaire be completed to assist us in triaging the young person and family. 

For all clients aged 15 or younger we request that the initial assessment be with the parents/ carer only. 

Eating disorders do not just affect the person but families as a whole.

This is an important part of the assessment process and will help us to get a clear history of the development of the eating disorder and aid in setting up a treatment team and clear treatment goals moving forward. 

Family Based Therapy/Treatment (FBT) is the gold standard for supporting children and adolescents with eating disorders. The Eat Love Live team are not trained in FBT or family therapy. 

We can be an adjunct to this important treatment process, provide a safe space for discussion around meal planning, information about eating disorders, physical and psychological risks associated with the eating disorder, normal puberty changes to the body, guidelines to adequate amounts of nutrition and help clear many of the myths about food and bodies in our community. 

We appreciate that accessing paediatric and adolescent services is difficult and there are long wait lists. As with all clients, we insist that all adolescents are linked in with a multidisciplinary team including a GP and a mental health clinician - be it a psychologist or psychiatrist. And we suggest that clients make the referral to CAMHS/CYMHS and / or private family therapy and be on the waiting list for this support. 

Along with the GP or paediatrician we can provide information and support while families are waiting for this important more intensive support.

Parents can speak with their GP or Paediatrician about referrals to these supports.