The Oak House is here to help...

“ I have been where you are today – scared... but I know that finding the right people to journey with you can make all the difference.” Natasha Veenhuizen.

Services & philosophies
As a specialist out-patient facility solely dedicated to treating sufferers of eating disorders, our purpose is to provide effective recovery programs for individuals suffering from all types of eating disorders. Unlike many other facilities treating eating disorders, the Oak House does not have any age,weight or other medical or demographic criteria for admission into our program. Instead, we accept sufferers of all types of eating disorders who we believe that we can help, and who choose our program for recovery. Therefore, the Oak House treats sufferers of Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, Eating Disorders Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) including binge-eating disorder, obesity and dietiting disorders.

We are also here to provide education and support for our client’s family members, carers and significant others as they journey alongside their loved one through recovery.

Over the years, our program, philosophies and treatment practices have evolved in response to the needs of our clients and families and in line with proven and effective (evidence based) treatment methods. We are humanistic in our interactions with our clients and use family systems theory as the basis of our family work. We take the time to get to know each of our clients and recognise that everyone’s journey of recovery is an individual one. It is for this reason, that the Oak House program provided to each client, is self-paced and tailored to their specific needs.

Adult recovery programs

Folllowing a thorough assessment, the Oak House specialist practitioners work with the client to help them make the necessary changes to bring about recovery from their eating disorder. We use an eclectic approach that is predominantly based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), but also utilizes a lot of tools from the school of Narrative Therapy and Acceptance and Committment Therapy (ACT), as well as nutritional counselling to support the process of recovery. Each client program is individualised - in therapeutic approaches used, level of intensity of appointment required and time taken - to meet the needs of each client and their particular circumstances and achieve the best possible outcomes.

“ In my darkest hours I found comfort in knowing that you would not give up on me. And, as it happens, you were right all along... I could, and have beaten my condition. I dare not image how my life may have turned out if you didn't do the wonderful job that you do.” Belinda Franke.

Adolescent recovery programs
For all adolescent clients we use the Family Based Treatment model, known as the Maudsley Model, that is scientifically proven with independent research supporting its effectiveness. This model of treatment is considered the world's best practice in treating adolescents who have anorexia nervosa and other eating disorders. This highly successful approach utilises and integrates theory from a number of family therapy approaches and empowers the family to be closely involved in the recovery process. It originated from the Maudsley Clinic in London (1978) and through independent research, shows 75-80% of people recover from Anorexia Nervosa. This approach is also successfully used with adolescents suffering bulimia nervosa and the Oak House is adapting this approach to work with children over their most healthy weight (childhood obesity). Please see our adolescent program information sheet.

To facilitate each client’s recovery journey, we have a team of dedicated and caring counsellors and dietitians and other support staff all committed to helping individuals achieve freedom from their eating disorder. Our team are passionate about making a positive difference in the lives of each sufferer and their family. We are here to guide, nurture, educate and provide support every step along the way.

“ In the beginning I felt like I was in a tunnel with no light. The Oak House provided the light at the end of the tunnel, offering hope, guidance, nurturing and support all the way through.” Janet Evans.

We know that eating disorders are more about an individual’s loss of identity and distortion of self than about food, weight or size. The Oak House team understands the negative thought process that dictates the eating disorder behaviours. This is a mindset that drives these negative, self-punishing behaviours and feelings. Eating disorders are not a condition of choice, in fact there are genetic factors, environmental and personality traits involved. 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.

Medical Management
We also know that the physical impact of this condition requires appropriate medical management and treatment. The Oak House is not a medical facility and therefore we do not have medical practitioners employed, however each client is monitored by a doctor of their choice and we liaise with them regularly to ensure the physical safety of each client and effective communication between the entire treating team.

A fundamental part of our program is the support, education and understanding that we share with families, carers, friends and significant others of our clients. By sharing our knowledge and understanding, and involving the support of these significant others, we are able to form a strong team of caring supporters to effectively help a sufferer through every step of their journey. Our parent and partner network groups are available as part of treatment to provide direct family support, advice and practical solutions to assist our families. In some instances, ongoing specialist sibling support or family therapy may also be provided by an Oak House practitioner if required and of benefit in helping a family through the recovery journey. Naturally, the level of liaison and involvement with families, carers and significant others varies depending on the wishes of the sufferer.

“ To have someone to talk with that has been where my family is today, makes all the difference. It can be really tough, but I know that with the treatment my child is receiving at The Oak House, we will get through this. They are able to provide me with the answers and give me the hope to know that my daughter will be ok and so will our family.” Sharan Rossignoli, mother.

In addition to each client’s program, and the array of support services and education provided to families and carers, Oak House offers a range of other programs and services for clients and their families and support people. One example is the opportunity for clients to participate in our in-house mentoring program whereby another Oak House client, who is in recovery from their eating disorder, provides first-hand perspectives on recovery and inspiration to a fellow sufferer.

Further details of these programs and services can be obtained by contacting the Oak House directly.

Our program, services and philosophies are designed to provide holistic treatment that offers each sufferer and their family the best opportunity for full recovery. At the Oak House, recovery means freedom – freedom to choose, freedom to live, freedom to be. We do not just treat the illness, but the whole person and in doing so, provide our clients the necessary skills, understanding and belief in themselves to lead fulfilling and happy lives – free from this condition.

“ I cannot believe how much my life has changed... I am doing things I never dreamed I could. I am able to make decisions I never thought possible, and not feel guilty. I know I still have a way to go with Oak House and my recovery journey, but my life is so different, it is so much better. Life looks inviting, exciting and I am looking forward to the future for the first time ever!” Annabel Ross.

At the Oak House, we fully appreciate that education and understanding of this condition requires ongoing learning opportunities and sharing of information. For this, each of our staff members receives intensive and ongoing training and mentoring within the Oak House to provide them with an in-depth understanding of our philosophies and specialist treatment practices. All the practitioners receive regular external supervision to support and guide them in their work. We also provide regular opportunities for our staff to seek further knowledge, skills and expertise from ongoing research, conference participation and networking opportunities external to Oak House. The Oak House team have a range of tertiary qualifications including psychology, family therapy, behavioral science, dietetics (clinical and sports), and education. It is through the eclectic mix of professional qualifications, a broad range of professional and personal experiences and the opportunities for continued learning and supervision provided by the Oak House that we have a solid grounding from which to provide specialised eating disorder treatment. Above all else, it is through listening and learning from our clients, their families and carers that we have learned the most about this condition.

How our program works
We know that our program can help sufferers achieve recovery and freedom from eating disorders. We also believe that the journey of recovery is an individual one. For this reason, we request all prospective clients attend an initial consultation to gain a greater understanding of our program and services before considering treatment with us.

This first consultation is designed for you to determine if the Oak House program is what you are looking for, and if it is going to be able to help you through your journey of recovery. Following this, a 5 part assessment is conducted by the specialist Oak House practitioners with the prospective client and their support team to provide treatment recommendations about the Oak House program and services of, if deemed more appropriate, referral to alternative treatment providers. If mutually agreed as the best option for treatment, the Oak House recovery program commences. The open, non-judgemental nature of the assessment is the first step in building a trusting relationship, essential in recovery.

“ It’s an amazing feeling when your so lost, to have people relay to you everything you’re feeling and thinking and to be re-assured that others have felt the same way, have survived, become healthy and even truly happy and free.” Yolanda Kuhn.

We do not require a letter of referral from your GP or other health practitioner, instead, prospective clients simply contact us to arrange an appointment time for the initial consultation.

From the assessment, we then design your recovery program with the Oak House. We provide two programs:

Adolescent program – This treatment method is specifically designed to treat sufferers under the age of 19 years still living at home. It involves family members taking an active role in restoring the young person to health. Treatment is highly focused and staged, and emphasises behavioural change recovery rather than insight and understanding. This highly successful treatment approach also supports gradual independence from therapy. In almost all cases, the adolescent model is using the Family Based Treatment known as the Maudsley Model. Please see our adolescent program information sheet.

Adult program – Each client’s program is made up of one-on-one counselling and dietary counselling sessions, however, the frequency of these appointments varies from client to client. Furthermore, each client’s programmed sessions and frequency is adjusted throughout their treatment with Oak House, based on individual needs and progress. There are also opportunities to interact with others who are experiencing eating disorders in their lives.

More details about the initial consultation and assessment, and our program and services are available from our information pack. Please contact us to obtain a copy of this information.

“ The Oak House is an incredible place, where the small things really do count. From its’ homely environment where I felt instantly welcome, accepted and safe, to its’ staff who took the time to get to know me and allowed time to build at trusting relationship, to the program that really understands eating disorders and encourages someone to grasp the opportunity of recovery and freedom.... I am so glad that Oak House is here and able to help.” Raelene Parkes.

Inspiration from some of our clients

" I am grateful for this whole experience and journey...

I was bulimic on and off for about 10 years, had insomnia for 6 years and depression here and there. I didn’t feel as though the bulimia had actually completely taken control until 2001 when I came back from overseas. I became a recluse, spent all day at home bingeing and purging whilst everything else in my life fell to the side and I couldn’t function normally no matter how hard I tried. That’s when I knew I needed help. First I told my mother hoping that if someone else in the house knew, I would be able to stop. But I just became sneakier and nothing changed. I tried seeing a psychologist who told me to move out of home. It did help a little bit in that living with 3 other girls provided momentary entertainment and distraction and I had less space to hide my behaviour but every possible chance, the behaviours would re-emerge and I was still experiencing the insomnia and depression. Eventually I found my way to the Oak House. The day of the initial assessment I knew somewhere in the back of my head that these people would be able to help me. It’s an amazing feeling when you are so lost to have people relay to you everything you’re feeling and thinking and to be re-assured that others have felt the same way, have survived, become healthy and even truly happy and free. It gives you hope – a most vital ingredient in maintaining the strength to continue the struggle.

The Oak House provides the education and environment with allows sufferers to learn to see themselves in others. Even though in my darkest times there may be little conscious recognition, at least on a subconscious level, confidence in the journey grows as you see others also struggling but working through the despair and slowly developing a smile that matches the growing spark that tends to shine in the eyes of someone who is in control of their choices and has happy thoughts. It takes time to unlearn a way of being and thinking that has been one’s reality for a lifetime. It takes work, strategies, increased awareness and a lot of support and understanding. Having my family and some of my friends included in the process, helping them to be aware of what was going on inside my head was very relieving for me. My moods would be so up and down, having people to help work through or even just sit with me in quiet understanding and acceptance helped me to not run away and lose myself instead in debilitating behaviours – whether that be bingeing and purging, starving oneself, using drugs, alcohol or whatever.

Becoming aware of the different kinds of thoughts people have – positive and negative and being able to identify the irrational/non-reality of negative thinking has absolutely changed my life and broadened my scope of living. I am continually becoming aware of just how deeply the negative mind permeates into one’s perceptions. As I move through each layer, making the subconscious conscious, I am liberating myself from the shackles of insecurities that once tainted pretty much every thought, action and experience. This would not have been possible however were it not for the very gentle, sensitive and loving manner in which my counsellors and the other staff members of the Oak House approached and dealt with my needs. Their extreme emotional support has enveloped my journey from the beginning, helping to ease overwhelming levels of anxiety and making it possible for me to even contemplate facing the demons within. I have loved coming to the Oak House. I used to look forward to every session, feeling that here I was truly understood and was being guided towards finding and becoming the person I truly was. Initially I did not have a very clear idea of who I truly was I just could not believe that this person who made themselves sick, was depressed and lifeless was it – surely there was another way to live.

I trusted that my counsellors knew how to help me through to that other side because they were there and yet at the same time they knew everything about where I was – they understood every inch of my darkness and time and had even found the switch to turn the light on so I could find my way out. My motivation to get better had turned from hope into faith and as I worked, entrusting myself to the guidance of my counsellor’s moments of freedom from the negative mind, of control and real actual moments of happiness were experienced and my faith became a knowing – these people at the Oak House were right and this negative mind that had led me to this debilitating lifestyle was very very wrong in every way. This does not mean that I no longer have any negative thoughts – like most people I have some but now they rarely become an overwhelming and incapacitating reality. I accept that I am not perfect – no one is. I make mistakes, so does everyone. Now I make lots of mistakes because I try everything and I know it doesn’t matter what happens. These days, refusing to let the negative mind limit my life experience has become my motivation for working through issues and for reaching out to make my dreams come true. I am now studying, working, living back at home with my amazing parents with whom I get along so well now – better than I ever have in my life. I am also pursuing my dreams of singing and song writing – seeing producers and just having fun with it...... whatever happens...... So I thank the universe or God or karma or whatever you want to call it – I am grateful for this whole experience and journey. I feel that I have been washed clean and am now sparkling brightly and have been given the tools to keep polishing all the way through the rest of my life." Yolanda Kuhn.

"I know this may be a harsh statement... However I do believe it to be 100% correct with all my heart and soul: 'Without the Oak House, I would be dead!'

After many years of treatment both in and out of hospital the outcome remained the same, I was getting sicker and sicker.

From the moment I entered the doors at the Oak House I could sense that they were different. I was invited into a bright, inviting and homely house, with nothing clinical about it. Within the first ten minutes of talking to a counsellor I was thinking “wow they can read minds.”

For the very first time after years of being ill, I knew that FINALLY someone understood, and boy was that a relief...

The team at the Oak House made me realise that I was not my illness and that I was a worthwhile person. I can honestly say that no matter what, they stood by me, and that was not always an easy chore.

Another amazing and very important aspect of the program offers is that they also work in conjunction with family and loved ones. No blame is laid and having your family understand how to best help in your treatment is very important.

What I would urge any sufferer going through the program or contemplating entering the program or journey to recovery, would be to be totally honest with your counsellor. It took me a long time to do that and only being open and honest was I finally able to complete the cycle on my road towards recovery.

I have now been out of treatment for nearly two years. I have allowed love back into my life. I have met some of the most incredible people along the way on my journey to recovery.

I believe that the Oak House has the answers on how to help one recover from an eating disorder. They gave me back my life, and I will forever be grateful to all at the Oak House and for each and every day that I now get to experience.

I will leave you on one last note...... FULL RECOVERY IS POSSIBLE" Joanne Gerber.