My Dietitian Clinic 2023: Effective and Lasting Results for Women’s Health

DeliveryRank has the pleasure of chatting with Ellen Kessling, an Accredited Practising Dietitian & Nutritionist specializing in Women’s Health, Gut Health, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome. With a Health Science Degree from the University of Adelaide and a Master's in Nutrition & Dietetics from Flinders University, Ellen founded My Dietitian Clinic on the Gold Coast in 2021. Her passion lies in a holistic, empathetic approach to women's health, focusing on sustainable, long-term changes rather than quick fixes. Ellen's dedication extends beyond 1:1 consultations, emphasizing ongoing care through packages and programs, aiming for more effective and lasting results. 

Ellen, you emphasise a holistic and sustainable approach to women's health. Could you elaborate on how this approach distinguishes your clinic's care and impacts the long-term results for your clients?

Our emphasis on holistic care means we consider not only nutritional needs but also all the other factors that come into play. By addressing all the factors of health issues and providing comprehensive support, we empower women to make sustainable lifestyle changes which is what it should all be about. This approach fosters a sense of trust, community and almost a feeling of safety, allowing our clients to feel supported throughout their journey, leading to more prolonged and impactful results for them which is also more impactful and meaningful to us.

This holistic perspective is crucial in my practice and something I always wanted the business to embody, treating clients as a 'whole person' rather than just focusing on diet/nutrition. Of course, these things are addressed but I have observed the lack of such approaches in the traditional healthcare system, and that's why I integrate holistic care. Clients often face barriers beyond diet that are impacting change or causing symptoms such as their routine, which especially can be the case in conditions like Endometriosis and IBS. Treating these conditions effectively requires considering all factors.

The sustainable approach came from frustrations with traditional 30-minute visits in private practice. I realised that ongoing support was crucial for real, lasting change. By encouraging continual follow-up, offering packages, and implementing ongoing programs, we provide the necessary support for sustainable and life-changing results. This commitment sets My Dietitian Clinic apart, ensuring our clients receive the comprehensive and ongoing care they need and deserve.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and gut health are areas of specialisation at My Dietitian Clinic. How does your clinic use nutrition and dietary planning to address these issues, and what kind of results can individuals expect from your tailored nutrition plans?

Yes, my favourite areas to treat! I love seeing the life-changing results dietary and lifestyle change can have on clients with IBS and gut health issues. Especially because often - for some reason, a Dietitian is the last resort for these clients, so when they experience the results they have been looking for, it’s so rewarding. Clients I see with gut issues and/or IBS can always benefit from dietary therapy. In fact, even those without any symptoms can benefit from improving their gut health because it really does impact every aspect of our body!

I treat IBS primarily through my 1:1 online program, but I do treat a lot of digestive issues and gut health problems through individual consultations too. Over many years of seeing clients with IBS and many years of repeating education and certain parts of management, I decided to develop a program designed to step clients through the educational portion of their management so they can feel empowered to learn and take control of their symptoms confidently. In conjunction with our 1:1 support and guidance, this is the perfect solution for anyone with IBS and I truly believe our approach to this is so effective.

Every client we see has a unique history and unique set of symptoms, so every clients management is individualised and personalised to them. We work closely with clients to reduce symptoms, identify trigger foods, implement dietary modifications, and improve long term gut health. The results are not only symptom relief but we also aim to give clients a deeper understanding of how nutrition plays a crucial role in their condition and how to improve health for the long term, not just the short term. Clients can expect improved digestive function, reduced discomfort, and a better overall quality of life through our tailored management plans.

Your clinic offers various packages and programs in different health areas. How do these programs provide ongoing support and specialised care beyond the initial consultation, and what kind of benefits do they offer to your clients?

Beyond the initial consultation, we offer continuous guidance and support, monitoring progress, and adjusting plans as needed. These programs focus on education, behaviour change, and community support to ensure that our clients have the tools and motivation to sustain their health journey and road to recovery. The benefits include a more individualised approach, increased accountability, and a supportive community that shares similar health goals, enhancing the overall experience and effectiveness of our programs. The community side of My Dietitian Clinic is something we are putting a big focus into this coming year.

My Dietitian Clinic offers online consultations nationwide and in-person services on the Gold Coast. How do these different modes of service delivery cater to the diverse needs of your clients, and how effective have you found telehealth consultations in delivering personalised care?

Yes, we do provide in-person services across multiple clinics on the Gold Coast and have recently expanded to Tweed in NSW, but primarily run all our packages and programs online. Part of our in-person services on the Gold Coast do include home visits and NDIS services also. 

I love the online option and Telehealth really is just as great as an in-person visit. It has allowed us to access and help people all around Australia! I originally came from a small country town in South Australia where specialised health care was non-existent, so the fact I can now offer specialised care across Australia is really nice. If anything, our online services are more personalised as we can schedule regular appointments online easily and clients don’t have to set aside a few hours to travel to an appointment anymore. 

What lies ahead for My Dietitian Clinic?

Looking ahead, My Dietitian Clinic is committed to expanding our impact on women's health and creating more of a community feel! This coming year you can expect to see lots of new offerings at lots of different price points suited to everyone. 

I will be aiming to enhance our online services, providing even more accessible and personalised care to women across the country. Additionally, we plan to collaborate with other healthcare professionals to offer a more comprehensive approach to women's well-being which is really exciting. 

Our goal is to continue evolving, finding our community, making an impact and ultimately empowering more women to take control of their health and achieve sustainable, long-lasting results.

If you would like to find out more about Ellen Kessling, please visit https://mydietitianclinic.com/