Helen Dean

I am an accredited practising dietitian and registered counsellor with over 25 years of experience and have also had a lived experience with an eating disorder. I specialise in working with children and adolescents with eating disorders, in particular, Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa; Avoidant Restrictive Eating Disorders (ARFID) & Atypical Anorexia Nervosa (ANN); neurodiversity (ASD&, ADHD) mood disorders; depression and anxiety. ​ I have a strong interest in working with children and adolescents with autism (age 5 and above) and their parents on developing a more positive relationship with food; to challenge rigidity around food rules and increase acceptance of new foods so as to improve overall nutritional status. ​ I recently worked at St Vincents Health in the Body Image and Eating Disorder Program where I was involved in running day program groups for adults with an eating disorder. ​ I am a registered member of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and PACFA and provide counselling to children, adolescents and adults of all ages. I am extremely passionate about working with parents and provide counselling to assist them to work through and help navigate the complexities of living with a young person with an eating disorder. ​ My counselling style is warm and gentle- I like to work closely with the whole family to to provide a safe and supportive space. ​ I use a variety of evidence-based treatments including family therapy; individual therapy; motivational interviewing; adolescent-parent therapy and emotion-focused therapy. schema therapy