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Model of Care

Evidence-based residential treatment that bridges the critical gap in eating disorder care

A comprehensive clinical model designed for patients who require more than outpatient support but don’t need acute hospitalisation

Clinical Model Overview

Filling the treatment gap

Wandi Nerida operates as a fully accredited private hospital providing residential treatment for eating disorders in Queensland. Our clinical model addresses the critical gap between community or intensive outpatient treatment and acute hospital care, offering an evidence-based alternative when traditional models prove insufficient or inappropriate.

Rather than prioritising short-term medical stabilisation, our 60–90 day residential program emphasises intensive psychotherapeutic intervention, holistic support, and person-centred care. This extended timeframe allows participants to step away from daily triggers, engage in meaningful therapeutic work, and develop practical skills essential for sustained recovery.

Person-centred philosophy

Our approach recognises that eating disorders are multifactorial in causation and often complicated by comorbid mental illness and life factors. We acknowledge that recovery is non-linear and extends beyond weight restoration and nutritional rehabilitation.

Central to our model is the understanding that each participant has a healthy core self which, over time and due to various risk factors, has also developed an eating disorder self. We work to connect with and strengthen the healthy self, ultimately putting the eating disorder self out of a job. This framework, informed by globally respected clinician Carolyn Costin (who remains on Wandi’s Advisory Board), guides all therapeutic interventions.

Therapeutic Framework

Our eating disorder clinical model integrates multiple evidence-based modalities to address the biological, psychological and social elements of eating disorders.

Core therapeutic components

Psychotherapy

  • Individual therapy tailored to each participant's needs and treatment goals
  • Group therapy fostering peer support and shared learning
  • Family therapy to address relational dynamics and support systems
  • Evidence-based psychological treatments based on participant history and needs

Dietetics and meal support

  • Nutritional restoration and rehabilitation
  • Structured meal support with graduated exposure work
  • Practical food skills including shopping, portioning and preparation
  • Development of a healthy relationship with food and eating

Medical care

  • 24-hour clinical support and monitoring
  • Integrated medical oversight within the residential setting
  • Management of physical health complications
  • Coordination with referring medical practitioners

Adjunctive therapies

Research demonstrates the efficacy of holistic interventions in eating disorder treatment. Our model incorporates:
  • Equine-assisted therapy – building connection, emotional regulation and self-awareness
  • Nature-based therapy – utilising permaculture and outdoor environments for grounding and healing
  • Movement therapy – reestablishing a positive relationship with the body
  • Creative therapies – art, music and drama modalities for emotional expression and processing
These adjunctive therapies complement core psychological and medical interventions, supporting participants to build confidence, process underlying causes, manage emotions, and respond from their healthy self.

Phased Treatment Approach

The Wandi Nerida program facilitates increasing independence, responsibility and autonomy as participants progress through treatment phases. Each phase offers necessary exposure work around daily behaviours critical for recovery, with participants gradually taking on challenges in preparation for life beyond residential care.

This structured progression supports:

  • Skill development across multiple domains
  • Building self-confidence and self-compassion
  • Emotional regulation and distress tolerance
  • Social connectedness and positive relationships
  • Challenging eating-disordered thoughts and behaviours

Evidence-Based Outcomes

Research validation
Wandi Nerida has undergone comprehensive qualitative and quantitative evaluation by Western Sydney University to determine clinical effectiveness. The research confirms that the Wandi Nerida model results in significant improvement across multiple measures:
  • Eating disorder symptoms
  • Anxiety and depression
  • General and eating disorder-related quality of life
  • Functional disability

These improvements are maintained from pre-treatment through to six months post-discharge, demonstrating lasting clinical benefits.

Independent clinical and economic evaluations have shown Wandi Nerida achieves treatment success across mental and physical health measures. Research also confirms high carer satisfaction with Wandi Nerida’s impact on participants’ recovery outcomes.

Learn more about our research

Multidisciplinary Expertise

Clinical team

Our multidisciplinary team brings extensive experience in eating disorder treatment, with almost half of staff having recovered from an eating disorder themselves. This combination of clinical expertise and lived experience provides both professional competency and authentic understanding of the recovery journey.

The team includes:

  • Medical practitioners
  • Psychologists and psychotherapists
  • Dietitians
  • Registered nurses
  • Allied health professionals
  • Specialist therapy practitioners
24-hour clinical support
As a licensed private hospital, Wandi Nerida provides round-the-clock clinical care and monitoring within a homelike environment. This ensures medical needs are met whilst maintaining the therapeutic, non-clinical atmosphere essential for psychological recovery.

Supportive Milieu

Participants consistently identify the therapeutic milieu as a powerful component of recovery. The residential community fosters:
  • Strong relationships through mutual support and shared experiences
  • A non-competitive culture that challenges eating disorder dynamics
  • Peer role modelling and collective responsibility
  • A sense of safety, visibility and belonging
This milieu, combined with our natural setting on Kabi Kabi Country in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, creates an environment conducive to healing and transformation.

Referral Support

We understand that identifying appropriate treatment for your patients requires careful consideration. Our clinical team is available to discuss patient suitability, admission criteria, and the referral process.
Talk to an advisor
For detailed admission criteria and clinical guidelines, visit our admissions criteria page.
View admissions criteria