Body Image Eating Disorders Treatment and Recovery Service (BETRS)

Body Image Eating Disorders Treatment and Recovery Service (BETRS) is a joint program with St Vincent's Hospital and the Austin Hospital. Services are offered for people aged over 18 years with severe eating disorders or body image concerns. Services include:

1. Intake service - Provides phone based assessment, brief intervention, support, referral and appropriate communication with treating health professionals. BETRS provides a smooth 'easy in easy out, easy back' approach to accessing services.
2. Assessment and treatment planning service - Comprehensive assessments conducted by clinical professionals within the multidisciplinary team inform tailored treatment plans. The treatment plans specify the range of interventions required to best meet the needs identified throughout the assessment. Assessment by the team precedes access to any of the treatment services at BETRS.
3. Day program - The Day Patient Program (DPP) is an alternative to Inpatient Care and can also be a useful step in the transition to and from home after intensive inpatient treatment. How long participants stay in the program is determined by individually established goals and progress. The program is free but small costs are involved. The DPP facilitates the recovery process for people with a low BMI who are motivated to undertake health restoration and the management of disordered eating behaviours. The program is an open, structured group program that supports participants to achieve individually negotiated health restoration goals. Groups focus on supporting motivation and managing feelings while working on health related goals. The DPP runs three times on weekdays. The hours are 9.45am until 4.00pm. There are some small costs for participants.
4. Inpatient unit - A specialist inpatient service is available for people whose symptoms have not been met in a community-based treatment management setting. The purpose of admission is weight gain and management. The beds are located in the acute unit at the Austin Hospital.

Services are available for people who reside in the catchments of the Northern and Eastern Area Mental Health Services of metropolitan Melbourne, and the Goulburn and North Eastern Hume Area mental Health Services of rural Victoria.

Fees may apply for some services.