About Rachelle
I’m a kind and compassionate Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) and Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician (CEDC), with nearly 20 years’ experience in research and clinical practice. From working in a variety of health-care settings, I have developed specialised expertise and a passion for supporting adults with mental health disorders, eating disorders and disordered eating.
I have advanced training and skills in nutrition counselling, delivering person-centred, trauma-informed care, using a non-judgmental, caring and sensitive approach. I also use a non-diet, weight-inclusive approach to health management, with the aim of supporting clients improve their relationship with food, eating and their body.
As a research dietitian, I regularly contribute to the current scientific literature and remain at the forefront of nutrition knowledge. Whilst utilising the most the up-to-date evidence in sessions with clients, I make sure to translate the science into user-friendly, practical strategies to suit your lifestyle. I aim to empower and support my clients engage in health behaviour changes for improved health and well-being.
Areas of Expertise
- Mental health
- Eating disorders
- Disordered eating
- Pregnancy and postpartum
- Cardiovascular disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol
- Neurodivergence
- General nutrition, lifestyle, and well-being
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​Research
My PhD focused on supporting adults with mental health disorders, where I designed and delivered the highly successful dietary intervention (“ModiMed”) used in the SMILES trial. The SMILES trial was the first study of its kind and has received widespread international interest after showing it can improve the mood and symptoms of adults with depression. Importantly, ModiMed was found to be effective in improving clinical depression using a weight neutral, non-diet approach.
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I have produced 40 peer reviewed manuscripts, with a particular focus on nutrition and mental health.
My work has been highly impactful, highly cited (2245 citations), and has received international interest.
A list of the peer reviewed articles can be found here:
https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=QHeOTdEAAAAJ&view_op=list_works&sortby=pubdate
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The FEELINGS Framework
Since completing my PhD, I have developed the FEELINGS framework. This framework is a person-centred, weight-neutral and trauma-informed approach that bridges the gap between Nutritional Psychiatry and eating disorders. The FEELINGS framework has been developed for clinicians who provide dietary advice and support to adults with mental health conditions and co-existing eating disorders. It aims to support clinicians to be better equiped to provide dietary recommendations for clients wanting to improve their mental health in a way that is eating disorder safe. ​
I regularly engage in professional development, clinical supervision and reflective self-practice to ensure I provide high-quality care for clients.
Professional Development
Recent professional development training completed:
- Eating Disorders
- Body Image
- Non-Diet Approach
- Trauma-Informed Dietetic Care
- Mental Health First Aid
- Motivational Interviewing and Health Coaching
- Mindfulness and Mindful Meditation
- Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT) for Dietitians
- Neurodiversity affirming care
- Intuitive Eating
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, PhD
- Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours)
- Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics
- Bachelor of Science
Memberships
​- Dietitians Australia (DA)
- DA mental health interest group leadership committee
- Dietitian Supervision Resources Australia (DSRA)
- Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED)