The Oak House is a specialist outpatient facility providing recovery programs for sufferers of eating disorders (Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder and, Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS), including obesity).

The Oak House offers two types of programs depending on the individual needs of the client. Our adolescent program is the Family Based Treatment known also as the Maudsley Model/Approach that aims to assist parents in the process of bringing about recovery from an eating disorder with their son or daughter in the home setting. Our adult program provides individually tailored, self-paced therapy conducted primarily one-on-one, and includes family and significant others in their journey of recovery.

Throughout treatment with the Oak House, support, help and education is also available to our families, carers, friends and significant others. Furthermore, the Oak House provides customized professional development, specialist supervision, education and training about eating disorders for health practitioners, schools, special interest groups and community groups.

At the Oak House, we treat holistically, the emotional, psychological and physical aspects of the condition. Our major focus in therapy is to meet every client where they are at, and to journey with them, at their pace, through their re-discovery of self, to achieve freedom from their eating disorder.

“The Oak House is an extraordinary place ­ one where hope exists, where understanding and knowledge is shared, where help and support is provided in a professional yet nurturing way and where freedom from eating disorders is possible.” Belinda Dalton, Founder & Dietitian

 

The Oak House is a private organization operating from a welcoming home -like setting in Melbourne’s leafy eastern suburb of Surrey Hills.

Although located in Melbourne, Australia, many of our clients originate from regional Victoria, other states of Australia and overseas. Presently, the multi-disciplinary team at the Oak House is making a positive difference in the lives of over 85 sufferers.

“If it wasn’t for the Oak House, I don’t know where I would be. I’ve tried every eating disorder program in my area, and they didn’t work, they just didn’t understand. Oak House is amazing... they have given me the gift of my life back and freedom.” Hayley Seaton.

 

At the Oak House, we treat all types of eating disorders including Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Binge Eating Disorder and Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) including obesity and dietiting disorders.

“When I walked in the door... they really cared, they understood and they helped me see me for who I am and not my illness. I can’t thank them enough, they saved my life.” Hayley Pascoe.

We know that effective treatment of this condition requires the expertise of a multi-disciplinary team of professionals providing evidence-based therapy underpinned by an effective and consistent professional, therapeutic relationship. Our specialist team of caring professionals have a diverse range of qualifications (psychology, family therapy, behavioral science, education, and clinical and sports dietetics), experience and personal strengths that ensures all clients receive therapy of the highest standards. We also ensure that all our clients receive appropriate medical monitoring and we liaise regularly with their medical practitioner(s).

”I’m a family therapist at the Oak House and I feel privileged to be able to do the work that I do, and to work with the people I work with. Our team spirit is incredible which creates an inspiring and energizing working experience for me. Everyday, I see our clients moving forward. I am part of an extraordinary team that creates freedom from this debilitating condition. I have seen many times that recovery is possible, and I am often overwhelmed and humbled by the courage of the human spirit.” Vicki O’Dwyer, Family Therapist and Clinical Team Manager.

 

Our name, “The Oak House”, came to us through identifying the key characteristics of our organization and encapsulating the journey of recovery experienced by our clients and their families. In following the life of an oak tree, the seed of the oak tree is trapped within the acorn and to flourish it must be nurtured, with the right conditions, to grow and develop into an independent yet grounded tree of strength and character. The life of an oak tree symbolises the journey one takes in discovering the self, representing an individual’s journey to freedom from eating disorders.

“This has been a really tough journey, one where I lost hope that life could be better many times. But the Oak House stood by me and nurtured me, believed in me, guided and taught me the lessons I needed to learn. They helped my family understand what I was going through, they helped me understand.” Marcella Colaianni.

The Oak House is a home where individuals are accepted, understood and nurtured through recovery. For more information, please contact us.

Statistics & general information on eating disorders

• There are 4 types of eating disorders – anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder and eating disorders not otherwise specified (EDNOS).
• Anorexia Nervosa is the third most common chronic illness for teenage girls in Australia, following obesity and asthma.
• Anorexia affects 0.3-0.5% of adolescent females and has been diagnosed in children as young as seven.
• Anorexia is the most fatal of all psychiatric illnesses. Mortality rates after 20 years are as high as 20%.
• 5% of Australians suffer from bulimia nervosa, however it is estimated that only one in ten cases of bulimia nervosa are detected.
• It is common for sufferers of bulimia nervosa to hide their illness for up to 10 years at great consequence to their physical and emotional health.
• It is estimated that 4 in every 100 people in Australia suffer binge eating disorder.
• 10% of all eating disorder sufferers are male.
• There is a 20% greater incidence of eating disorders in the athletic population than that in the average population.
• The average length of illness varies from 4-7.5 years.
• 68% of 15 year-old females are on a diet and of these, 8% are severely dieting. Severe dieting increases the risk of an eating disorder developing by 18-fold.
• Almost one-third of teenage girls admit to self-induced vomiting after a meal and 15% of teenage girls admit to weighing themselves everyday.
• Eating disorders are caused by a complex combination of genetic factors, personality traits and environmental factors. The environmental factors are broad and include life crisis, trauma (eg. abuse), loss, grief, illness, injury, personal disappointment, media influences and dieting.
• Eating disorders are not a lifestyle choice, they can be defined by the following quote from Anderson 1990. “The behaviour must no longer be under personal control and/or must cause significant adverse changes in psychological, social or physical functioning.”

  Source: Eating Disorder Foundation of Victoria