FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Usually our clients need to be ~10 years and older (depending on presentation). No referral is necessary, clients can self refer. You must be deemed medically and psychiatrically well enough to be receiving therapy in an outpatient setting.

Yes, we treat all eating disorders including ARFID (Avoidant Restrictive Eating Disorder). However, we only see clients ~10+ years of age with this diagnosis.

No, you do not need a diagnosis to come to The Swan Centre. You will likely receive a provisional diagnosis at your assessment appointment.

No, we are not a bulk billing service.

Your GP or medical specialists can refer and can create a Mental Health Care Plan or Eating Disorder Plan for you if appropriate.

The demand for therapeutic support at the moment is unprecedented, and our clinicians are seeing as many people as they can. We are not able to meaningfully predict how soon a clinician will be able to work with you, however we are offering single session interventions (psychological and dietetic), to provide an assessment of whether The Swan Centre would benefit you, and to offer support and resources for while you wait.

There are some other services in Western Australia that provide treatment for eating disorders, please refer to insideoutinstitute.org.au or butterfly.org.au.

Yes, we can offer one-off appointments to support people, and we also run online monthly carers and loved ones’ support groups. Please see our resources section to access some helpful information.

Yes, telehealth appointments are available. However you will only receive a Medicare rebate if you have a plan in place (MHCP or EDP) and live in a remote rural location, or while the Covid telehealth rebates are available.

We do offer group therapy, and are currently in the process of finalising a new group program. Find out more here.

A Mental Health Care Plan gives access to a medicare rebate for a diagnosable mental health condition(s), whereas an Eating Disorder Plan only provides rebates for diagnosable eating disorders when specific eating disorder treatment is provided. For more information read more.

The number of sessions you will need will depend on your individual requirements and presentation. You can discuss this in more detail with the clinician at your initial assessment.

You will be allocated the next available therapist appropriate for your needs, as determined by our Clinical Director.

We require at least 48 hours notice to reschedule or cancel a session to prevent you from incurring a cancellation fee (50% of full fee for less than 48 hours notice, and full fee for a no show). Please refer to our cancellation policy.

The evidence suggests that eating disorder treatment works best when we draw on expertise from a number of health professionals. Therefore at the Swan Centre we treat as an integrated, multi-disciplinary team. This means that your treatment plan may incorporate services from dietetics, clinical psychology, psychiatry and other allied health professions.

For medical emergencies, call 000.
You may also consider presenting to the Emergency Department of your closest hospital.

For 24-hour counselling and help lines, see below:

• • Mental Health Emergency Response 1300 555 788
  • Crisis Care 9223 1111
  • Life Line 13 11 14 or Lifeline’s SMS/Text service 0477 13 11 14
  • Kids Helpline (under 18) 1800 55 1800
  • Headspace https://headspace.org.au/headspace-centres/
  • The Butterfly Foundation – an Eating Disorder 24/7 resource and helpline service https://butterfly.org.au/ ph 1800 334 673

Nearby parking available. Claremont Quarter (3 hrs free). Times Square car park (2 hours free). Freshwater Parade (2 hours free). Typika car park (1 – 2 hours free).
Please be aware traffic in the area may be heavy during school drop off and pick up times. Please allow time to find parking, particularly during holiday periods when demand is high.