Five years of treating the most complex and enduring eating disorders – Wandi Nerida celebrates life-changing outcomes

Wandi Nerida, Australia’s first and national eating disorder residential treatment facility has opened its doors more than 300 times to help make recovery a reality since 2021.

• 100 per cent of participants who completed treatment at Wandi Nerida in FY 2025 experienced a reduction in eating disorder symptoms from admission to discharge.
• 50 per cent of participants at discharge no longer meet the clinical criteria for an eating disorder, while the other 50 per cent show vast improvements in eating disorder symptomology. 
• Recovery gains are maintained post-discharge, a period associated with high relapse risk.
• On average, participants developed an eating disorder at age 14, have lived with it for 12 years, and had experienced multiple hospitalisations and higher rates of trauma and other mental illnesses. 
• Up to three quarters  of Wandi staff have recovered from an eating disorder themselves or cared for a loved one.

New data has revealed exceptional outcomes for Wandi Nerida as the facility celebrates five years of operations, treating the most complex and enduring eating disorders.

Participants report significant, lasting improvements in eating disorder symptoms, mental health and quality of life. It’s an incredible feat, given those that arrive at Wandi Nerida have inevitably experienced years of struggle, trauma, and multiple hospitalisations, according to Director Danielle Dougherty. 

“On average, people coming to Wandi Nerida have lived with an eating disorder for over 12 years. Many have experienced complex PTSD and other co-occurring mental illnesses which can make recovery and responding to treatment that much harder,” she said.

“We know that we’re treating some of Australia’s most complex and enduring presentations of eating disorders, and we’re so proud that when people are able to access compassionate, person-centred care such as we offer here, it can make a life-changing difference.” 

The opening of Wandi Nerida in 2021 was a gamechanger for eating disorder treatment across the country, filling a critical treatment gap between community or outpatient treatment and acute hospital care – something only previously available overseas. 

In FY2025, all participants experienced a reduction in eating disorder symptoms after attending Wandi Nerida.

Importantly, recovery gains were also maintained post-discharge, which is a period associated with high relapse risk. 

Queensland participant Sarah Cox said, “Living with an eating disorder can feel isolating and all-consuming, and when treatment doesn’t work for you, it can leave you feeling even more hopeless. Wandi allowed me to see my value, heal and gain the skills I needed to support my full recovery.”

Sarah is just one of the hundreds of Queenslanders who have been able to access Wandi Nerida free of charge, thanks to 8 publicly funded beds brokered by Queensland Health. 

“The Sunshine Coast has become a world-leading environment for eating disorder care, and our partnership with Queensland Health has been instrumental in changing lives,” said Butterfly CEO, Jim Hungerford. 

“While we are hopeful that we’ll be able to increase our number of publicly funded beds, and have been talking with the Queensland Government to make sure that happens, we’re also proud to open our doors to people interstate and overseas. In recognition that young people are disproportionately impacted by eating disorders, Wandi Nerida is the only residential facility in Australia accepting participants aged 15 and above,” he said. 

The Wandi Difference

Participants at Wandi Nerida show improvement across all personal recovery domains — including hope, self-determination, and social connection — not just clinical measures.

Butterfly Foundation’s unique Residential Eating Disorders Treatment (B-FREEDT) Model of Care© provides intensive treatment in a home-like environment, with lived experience at the heart of care.

“Our participants continuously report that hearing from people who have recovered from their own eating disorders is instrumental in their care, providing hope that recovery is possible, and modelling what this looks like in the real world,” said Wandi Nerida Provisional Psychologist Katelin Pope, who has her own lived experience of an eating disorder. 

“Our team just gets it, because the majority of us have been there before. It creates this authentic, compassionate environment, built on shared trust and understanding,” she said. 

In addition to intensive, evidence-based psychological treatment tailored to individual needs, personality and history, participants are able to access contemporary holistic therapies such as equine-assisted therapy, nature-based groups, and drama, art and movement therapy. 

Since the opening of Wandi Nerida in 2021, other residential facilities have opened in NSW, ACT and Victoria, with Wandi Nerida providing a centre of excellence  and sharing insights and learnings to support other facilities to be effective and fit-for-purpose.

-ENDS-

Media Contact: 

Zoe Bradbury – Butterfly Communications Manager 

E: zoe.bradbury@butterfly.org.au  

About Butterfly Foundation
Butterfly is Australia’s national charity for people affected by eating disorders and body image issues, and for the families, friends and communities who support them. Butterfly operates the National Helpline, delivers prevention and education programs, advocates for the needs of our community and provides treatment services including Wandi Nerida, Australia’s premier residential eating disorder recovery facility.

Editor and producers note: 

Please include the following support line details in all media coverage of this story and refer to the Mindframe Media Guidelines for safe reporting on eating disorders. Please include the following helpline message. 

Help and Support 

Anyone needing support with eating disorders or body image issues is encouraged to contact: 

• Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 33 4673 (1800 ED HOPE) or visit www.butterfly.org.au to chat online or email, 7 days a week, 8am-midnight (AEST/AEDT).
• Eating Disorders Victoria Helpline on 1300 550 23 
• For urgent support call Lifeline 13 11 14