Hunter Mind Body Clinic

At the Hunter Mind Body Clinic we believe that true healing encompasses both the mind and body. Our dedicated team work collaboratively to provide holistic care tailored to your needs.

We value and respect the fact that every individual's connection with food and their body is unique. This forms the foundation of our approach, which is centered around personalised care. We firmly believe that there is no universal solution when it comes to recovery, which is why we prioritise individualised support.

Our mission at the Hunter Mind Body Clinic is to create a safe, compassionate and inclusive space where every individual feels empowered and supported throughout their recovery from eating disorders.

Our skilled and empathetic team specialises in evidence-based nutrition therapy, utilising a non-diet approach, a Health At Every Size (HAES) philosophy, and a weight-neutral perspective. We create a safe and inclusive space where we support you in establishing a healthy relationship with food, and your connection to mind and body.

Breanna Elphick

Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician (CEDC)
Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD)
Accredited Nutritionist (AN)

Breanna possesses a wealth of expertise and diverse knowledge in the field of dietetics, having worked as a clinical dietitian and in private practice. It is her deep passion and extensive experience in supporting patients affected by eating disorders and disordered eating that truly distinguishes her. She also brings invaluable skills in supporting individuals who have undergone weight-loss surgery (bariatrics).

Breanna holds a Graduate Diploma in Psychological Science and is studying to become a dual-qualified practitioner in Dietetics and Psychology.

The Hunter Mind Body Clinic is currently consulting from The Lorn Surgery.
To book an appointment please phone (02) 4933 2622.

Business Hours
Mon - Fri: 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sat: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Sun: Closed

Please note that Hunter Mind Body Clinic is a private billing practice. We do accept care plans and eating disorder plans.

Eating disorders are far more complicated than just dietary issues; they involve relationships between self-esteem, body image, emotions, and social pressures. They are intricate and unique to each patient and the first step in the journey is often one of self-education.

Whether you're seeking help for yourself or a loved one, we can assist you to navigate the complexities of eating disorders and start you on a journey to a brighter, healthier future. Below are some general FAQs... For more specific questions, we encourage you to reach out using the form at the bottom of the page

What is an Eating Disorder?

Eating disorders are serious mental health illnesses. They are not a choice or a phase, but a potentially life-threatening condition. They can be defined by changes in behaviours and thoughts towards food, eating, weight or body shape, and negatively impact an individual’s life and well-being. Eating disorders are often a way of coping with underlying psychological and emotional difficulties. Eating disorders commonly co-exist with other psychological conditions such as anxiety and depression.

What is the difference between an Eating Disorder and Disordered Eating?

Eating disorders are diagnosable mental health conditions with specific criteria, often severe and chronic, while disordered eating refers to a wider range of irregular eating behaviors that may not meet the criteria for a diagnosed disorder and are generally less severe and less persistent. Both should be taken seriously, but eating disorders have more defined criteria and require specialized treatment.

What causes an eating disorder?

The development of an eating disorder is multifactorial. There is no one single cause or influence that leads to the development of an eating disorder. Genetic, biological, social, and environmental factors can all contribute to the development of an eating disorder. Some possible risk factors for developing an eating disorder include perfectionism, low self-esteem, neglect, abuse, trauma, emotional dysregulation, chronic dieting, and involvement in certain activities with a focus on body image including dancing, gymnastics, modelling, and wrestling.

What is Anorexia Nervosa?

Anorexia Nervosa is a psychological illness. It is a life-threatening eating disorder characterised by extreme food restriction, significant loss of body weight and intense fear of weight gain. Symptoms may include obsession around controlling calorie intake, restricting foods, and counting calories, reading labels, excessive exercise, excessive weighing, measuring and body checking.

What is Bulimia Nervosa?

Bulimia nervosa is a psychiatric illness characterised by episodes of recurrent binge eating (consumption of abnormally large amounts of food over a short period of time), followed by self-induced compensatory methods, including, vomiting/purging, restricting intake/fasting, excessive exercise, and the misuse of diuretics, laxatives, enemas and/or diet pills.

A person with Bulimia Nervosa can be of any age, weight, size, or shape. Bulimia Nervosa often starts with the person engaging in dieting behaviours for weight loss. The resulting food restriction and inadequate nutrition can trigger a starvation reaction often leading to an intense urge to eat. For some, the desire to eat is uncontrollable, leading to a substantial binge on whatever food is available, followed by compensatory behaviours and leading to a binge/purge/exercise cycle, which can become more compulsive and distressing over time.

How can a dietitian support recovery?

An individual with a starved brain is unable to make logical decisions or engage in psychological intervention, which makes the dietitians role in re-nourishing the person a crucial role in the road to recovery. Dietitians are experts in food and nutrition, they can provide individualised nutrition advice and challenge food beliefs and diet misinformation which often fuels the development of an eating disorder. They will support you and liaise closely with your healthcare team, this often includes your GP and/or psychologist.

A dietitian with eating disorder training and knowledge can help support recovery from an eating disorder or disordered eating by firstly helping to bring the person back to a physically nourished state by improving eating behaviours. Here they may focus on the regularity of eating as well as the amounts and adequacy of the food consumed.

If you would like to book an appointment, please see details above. To contact the clinic directly, please complete the form below.