Adjunct A/Prof Gabriella Heruc

BBSc, BSc(PsychHons), MNutrDiet, PhD, CEDC-D

Clinic Director and Accredited Practising Dietitian

With an undergraduate degree in Psychology and a Master of Nutrition and Dietetics, Gabriella (Gabbi) can guide you through your lifestyle changes.  She has undertaken research at the Black Dog Institute investigating the link between depression and omega-3, as well as at University of Sydney studying how skipping breakfast can affect blood sugar levels and has also completed a PhD investigating appetite, blood glucose regulation and gut function in anorexia nervosa. She also has a passion for working with children and adolescents, and holds a Certificate in Paediatric Nutrition and Dietetics.

She has worked in the eating disorders, disordered eating and mental health field for almost 20 years, and she has the right experience to help you cope with the psychological and behavioural aspects to eating. Gabbi is on the Steering Committee for the National Eating Disorders Collaboration, is a member of Dietitians Australia (DA), and is a past convenor for the DA's Eating Disorders Interest Group. In addition, she has training in Motivational Interviewing, Maudsley Family-Based Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders and Avoidant Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID), SOS Approach to Fussy Eating, Adolescent-Focused Therapy (AFT) and Sports Nutrition from the Australian Institute of Sport. Gabbi is also a Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician, and Credentialing Director and Past President of the Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders.

Maddison Luscombe - No current availability

BSc(Nutr), MNutrDiet, CEDC-D

Accredited Practising Dietitian

Maddison (Maddie) is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician who graduated from the University of Wollongong with an undergraduate degree in Nutrition Science (Distinction) and a Master of Nutrition and Dietetics (Distinction). She has additional training in Maudsley Family-Based Therapy, Enhanced Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Eating Disorders, Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy for ARFID, Satters Division of Responsibility and Paediatric Nutrition. Her genuine, compassionate and engaging approach to care will help to support you in meeting your personal goals.

Aside from her passion for working with people with disordered eating, disability and mental health, she also enjoys working with children, adolescents and families. She has completed research and provided recommendations at Orange Health Service investigating the important role dietitians play in the treatment and management of eating disorders, as well as the feasibility of a refeeding program in an outpatient setting for people with eating disorders. Maddie has also undertaken research exploring the interpretation and acceptance of targeted nutrition messages for people with Multiple Sclerosis. Maddie also has extensive experience working in aged care and supporting those with malnutrition.

Sharonne Symonds - Currently on leave

BSc(Hons, Nutrition & Dietetics), BApSc(Exercise Science), CEDC-D

Accredited Practising Dietitian

Sharonne is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and Nutritionist and Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician serving the Sydney community since 2014. She has extensive experience in working with adolescents, their families and adults in private practice. Sharonne has a special interest in strengthening individual’s relationship with food, their body and their heath. She provides a warm and supportive therapeutic style to empower clients to achieve practical and sustainable eating patterns.

Sharonne takes a thorough, evidence-based approach to eating disorder treatment. She believes it is essential to look at the whole-person to optimise health and well-being to provide neurodiversity, interoception, and weight-inclusive care. She has experience in working in both adolescent and adult mental health, and has undertaken further training in Family-Based Therapy (FBT), The Plate-Plate Approach and Responsive Feeding Therapy (RFT) Approach.

Sharonne is a member of Dietitians Australia (DA), Australia & New Zealand Academy for Eating Disorders (ANZAED) and EDRD Pro. Having worked as a dietitian at Northside Group, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Westmead Hospital, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and Google, Sharonne is proficient in a wide range of dietetic issues, which all have a powerful influence on many aspects of her nutrition care. Her special areas of focus include: Disordered eating, Food and Mental health, Chronic dieting/weight cycle, Emotional eating, Eating Disorders (anorexia nervosa, bulimia nervosa, binge eating disorder, other specified feeding and eating disorder (OSFED) and ARFID (Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder), and more.

Stacey Van Der Meer

Practice Receptionist

Stacey is the virtual receptionist for Appetite for Change, working remotely. She is currently studying a Master of Psychology (Clinical) to become a clinical psychologist, and she has experience volunteering with a national telephone counselling organisation. Stacey also has several years of experience in customer service roles. She is passionate about assisting patients to access the support they need and is always willing to answer any enquiries via the admin email or telephone number.