Our Approach

A person-centred path to lasting recovery

At Wandi Nerida, we approach eating disorders as a mental health condition with physical consequences. Our holistic eating disorder treatment approach recognises that recovery is so much more than numbers and food – it’s about reconnecting with your true self and building a life worth living.

Finding your healthy self

We believe each participant has a healthy core self that exists alongside their eating disorder self. Rather than demonising or pathologising the eating disorder, we work to connect with and strengthen your healthy self, ultimately putting the eating disorder self out of a job.

This person-centred approach means we see you as a whole person, not just a diagnosis. Your individual care plan addresses the symptoms, behaviours and socio-psychological factors unique to your experience, delivered by our multi-disciplinary team in a supportive, home-like environment.

Evidence-based, informed by lived experience

Our model of care is grounded in evidence-based practice and informed by the globally respected residential centres founded by Carolyn Costin in the USA, who remains a member of Wandi’s Advisory Board.

What sets us apart is that many of our staff have lived experience of eating disorders. They bring both clinical expertise and genuine understanding to your recovery journey, offering hope through their own healing.

Independent clinical and economic evaluations have shown Wandi Nerida achieves treatment success across mental and physical health measures, with lasting benefits. Research also confirms high carer satisfaction with Wandi Nerida’s impact on their loved one’s recovery.

Comprehensive therapeutic care

We provide intensive psychotherapeutic, holistic and person-centred support through a range of evidence-based modalities:

Individual, group and family therapy

With a high staff to participant ratio, you’ll receive personalised attention from your care team. Our focus on group therapy sets us apart – we believe social connection is a powerful agent for change, fostering peer feedback, accountability and support.

Family therapy takes a systemic approach, recognising that eating disorders affect entire families. Our programme includes both educational and therapeutic components to help families heal and support your recovery.

Equine assisted therapy

Working alongside our herd of horses, our practitioners employ psychological and human development principles to address underlying issues and build connection.

Permaculture therapy

Learn about growing food sustainably whilst reflecting on your own purpose and values. Permaculture provides a framework for understanding your connection with the natural world.

Movement therapy

Our exercise physiologists design and monitor activities including nature walks, yoga, guided stretching and dancing. We help you develop healthy habits around movement, addressing the complexities of exercise in eating disorder recovery.

Art, music and drama therapy

Expressive therapies encourage creativity and focus on non-verbal communication through imagery, symbolism and metaphors as a link to psychological and emotional states.

Real-world practice

Through supported outings to cafes, movies, museums and other community settings, you’ll practice applying healthy coping skills in real-world scenarios with staff support.

Award-winning clinical excellence

Wandi Nerida has been recognised for our commitment to quality care, winning the Award for Clinical Excellence and Patient Safety from the Australian Council for Healthcare Standards.

This recognition reflects our dedication to providing the highest standard of residential eating disorder treatment in a safe, nurturing environment where you can feel safe and visible.

Ready to learn more about our approach?

Our advisors are here to discuss how Wandi Nerida’s person-centred, holistic model could support your recovery journey.