KIRSTY (KESS) O'LOGHLEN (APD) 

She/Her

Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD)

Credentialed Eating Disorder Clinician (CEDC)

Kess is a warm, friendly and approachable dietitian with a passion for helping people improve their relationship with food. She has a special interest in supporting people with eating disorders and disordered eating, and has experience working with young people, adolescents, adults and families. Kess draws from her background in psychology to work collaboratively with people to support them at every stage on their recovery journey. She enjoys supporting clients taking that next step as they work towards nourishing their body and mind, and a more flexible, positive and intuitive relationship with food. She is an advocate for food and body peace and weight inclusive care.     Kess has worked in a range of clinical settings including inpatient mental health units, eating disorder outpatient and day programs, private practice and is currently also working in a Statewide Specialist Eating Disorders Unit. As well as working with people with disordered eating and body image concerns, Kess also works with people with a range of health concerns including PCOS, diabetes, heart conditions, and GI issues including IBS and food intolerances. Kess engages in regular supervision and self-reflective practices to ensure her clients receive high quality care. Publications:  “Schizophrenia” in the Australian print and online news media. Cain, B., Currie, R, Danks, E., Du, F., Hodgson, E., May, J., O’Loghlen, K., Phan, Y., Powter, J., Rizwan, R., Shahim, S., Simison, D., Loughnam, S., & Haslam, N. (2013). Psychosis: Psychological, Social and Integrative Approaches. DOI: 10.1080/17522439.2013.764349 Reimagining an outpatient day program in an eating disorder service: the clinician experience of program reinvention in COVID times.

booking details:

Kess is accepting new clients of all ages from late-January 2025 onwards. If you would like to work with Kess then, please call reception on (03) 9087 8379.

If you wish to make a booking with Kess, you can contact reception or book online via: 

Phone: (03) 9087 8379

Online booking system: Kess's online booking link

What will happen at the first session with an Eat Love Live Dietitian?

EAT LOVE LIVE POLICY

We require that all clients be linked in with regular medical support to ensure their ongoing medical safety.

We require clients to be engaged with or planning to engage with psychological support to ensure that we are providing safe, ethical and evidence-based support.

AGE LIMITS FOR ACCEPTING NEW REFERRALS: 

Please note some practitioners have boundaries on the age of clients they will accept as new referrals. 

We request that for all new clients aged 15 years and younger that a pre-assessment questionnaire be completed to assist us in triaging the young person and family. 

For all clients aged 15 or younger we request that the initial assessment be with the parents/ carer only. 

Eating disorders do not just affect the person but families as a whole.

This is an important part of the assessment process and will help us to get a clear history of the development of the eating disorder and aid in setting up a treatment team and clear treatment goals moving forward. 

Family Based Therapy/Treatment (FBT) is the gold standard for supporting children and adolescents with eating disorders. The Eat Love Live team are not trained in FBT or family therapy. 

We can be an adjunct to this important treatment process, provide a safe space for discussion around meal planning, information about eating disorders, physical and psychological risks associated with the eating disorder, normal puberty changes to the body, guidelines to adequate amounts of nutrition and help clear many of the myths about food and bodies in our community. 

We appreciate that accessing paediatric and adolescent services is difficult and there are long wait lists. As with all clients, we insist that all adolescents are linked in with a multidisciplinary team including a GP and a mental health clinician - be it a psychologist or psychiatrist. And we suggest that clients make the referral to CAMHS/CYMHS and / or private family therapy and be on the waiting list for this support. 

Along with the GP or paediatrician we can provide information and support while families are waiting for this important more intensive support.

Parents can speak with their GP or Paediatrician about referrals to these supports.