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Accredited Practicing Dietitian | Registered Counsellor | Credentialed
Eating Disorder Clinician
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Nutrition, feeding and counselling support for children, teens and adults — covering ARFID, neurodivergent eating and eating disorders, from childhood through to adulthood.
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Support for Children, Teens & Families in Ivanhoe, Heidelberg and beyond
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You might consider reaching out if...
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Your child eats a very limited range of foods.
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Mealtimes have become stressful or overwhelming
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You're worried they're not eating enough or growing well
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Sensory differences, ADHD or autism are affecting eating
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Your child is anxious about choking, vomiting or trying foods
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You're worried about your teen's relationship with food, exercise or their body
Nutrition Feeding & Counselling for children, teens and families
Neurodivergent Eating
ARFID & Feeding Difficulties
Counselling
Family & Parent Support
Eating Disorder Support
Nutrition support as children grow
Children don't need to have an eating disorder to benefit from nutrition support. I work with children, teens and families around growth, low appetite, selective eating, gut concerns, sports nutrition, nutrition adequacy and building a more confident relationship with food.
Children & Teen Nutrition
Here's how I can help
About Helen Dean
at Stepping StonesÂ
I work with children, adolescents, adults and families across a wide range of nutrition and eating concerns.
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Sometimes that's a child who isn't eating enough variety, a teenager needing support with nutrition and sport, or a family worried about growth or appetite.
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At other times, eating has become complicated by ARFID, neurodivergence, anxiety or an eating disorder.
"For many children and adults with ARFID or an eating disorder, it's not about willpower — it's the nervous system asking for safety long before anyone finds the words for it.
Paediatric dietitian Ivanhoe | children's dietitian Melbourne | ARFIDÂ dietitian Melbourne, eating disorder dietitian/counsellor
Our Journey Together
A first conversation
Understand the whole picture
A gentle conversation to understand your history and current relationship with eating.
We look at what’s driving things, whether physical, emotional,
sensory or related to your child’s individual needs.
A plan paced for you
Steady lasting change
Goals that are realistic and collaborative, adjusted as we go — and coordinated with any GPs, psychologists or schools already involved.
Ongoing support until things feel settled — with the option to step back in if life gets complicated again down the track
"Helen is a very caring, dedicated, non judgemental therapist who quickly forms a positive relationship with her clients."
HELEN S.
"Helen has been a valuable resource through at times what can be a difficult journey which touches not only our young person but also our whole family unit."
LOUISA D.
"Our daughter feels comfortable to contact Helen independently for advice and we feel 100% supported on this road to recovery."
NICOLE A.
Parents Recommend
Parents Recommend
Common Questions
Do you work with children who don't have an eating disorder?
Yes. Many of the children and teens I see don't have an eating disorder at all. At Stepping Stones With, we use stepping stones with practical, family-centred nutrition support around growth, low appetite, selective eating, gut concerns, sports nutrition and building a more confident, relaxed relationship with food — as well as more complex presentations like ARFID and eating disorders.
Can you help with fussy/selective eating?
Yes. Selective eating is one of the most common reasons families reach out. I look at what's really driving it — whether that's sensory sensitivity, anxiety, past experiences with food, or simply a slower pace of trying new things — and build a plan that fits your child rather than forcing quick change.
What happens at a first appointment?
The first session is about listening. We talk through your child's or your own history with food, what's been happening day to day, and what you're hoping will be different. From there, I put together a plan that's realistic and paced to where you're actually starting from — not a generic checklist.
Do parents attend appointments?
Yes, and for younger children this is usually essential. Parents are often closely involved in sessions, especially early on, since so much of lasting change happens through what's supported and practised at home. For older teens and adults, involvement is adjusted to suit what's most helpful.
Do you work with other health professionals and schools?
Yes. I regularly work alongside GPs, psychologists, paediatricians and schools so that care stays coordinated rather than fragmented, and everyone supporting your child or family is working from the same page.