Blog article
How Esus Centre supports recovery from eating disorders
Enter Esus Centre: a first-of-its-kind facility in Western Australia offering integrated, day-based treatment for eating disorders. With individual and group therapies delivered under one roof, the centre is designed to provide practical, ongoing care – without the need for a hospital stay. Plus, if you’re an eligible HBF member, you may be able to claim for services provided by Esus Centre as part of your hospital cover.1
We spoke with Dr Vash Singh, psychiatrist and Founder of Esus Centre, to find out how the centre is reshaping eating disorder treatment in WA and beyond.
Why was Esus created?
Dr Singh’s background includes running a highly successful inpatient program – but she saw first-hand the limitations of hospital-based care.
“We came to believe that the best way to reduce the impact of eating disorders long-term was to intervene earlier and more holistically,” she says. “That meant moving away from siloed services and offering a model that supports people to stay connected to their lives – their families, their communities – while they recover.”
In fact, it was this vision that led her, alongside Clinical Psychologist Kerry Mairs and specialist ED GP Dr Susan Cann, to found the Esus Centre in 2023.
“We built Esus to close the gaps we were seeing in care,” says Dr Singh. “The response so far has shown that this kind of integrated, coordinated approach really works.”
The Esus Centre difference
Unlike traditional inpatient hospital programs, the Esus Centre delivers care through structured day programs and outpatient consulting, helping individuals apply what they learn in real life – not just behind hospital walls.
“At Esus, we’ve created a model of care that’s collaborative, evidence-based and recovery-focused,” says Dr Singh. “Instead of patients being shuffled between services, we’ve brought everything together in one place — so they see the same familiar faces day to day, from their GP to their psychologist to the chef who prepares their meals.
"There are no overnight stays. Patients return home each evening to continue practising what they’ve learned in a real-world environment – often with the support of a family member or carer.”
The Esus approach to treatment
According to Dr Singh, one of the most powerful aspects of the Esus model is its wrap-around approach to care.
“Full recovery is absolutely possible,” she says. “But it requires more than just one element of treatment. It’s about supporting people across all parts of their recovery – physically, psychologically, nutritionally, and socially – at a level that’s right for them.”
This includes intensive day programs for when someone needs extra support, as well as lower-intensity group therapies and outpatient consulting as they regain confidence and independence.
“It was important to us to build a service that allowed for flexibility,” adds Dr Singh. “We want people to be able to move between different levels of care without having to start over somewhere new.”
What programs are offered at Esus Centre?
Esus Centre provides both high and low intensity support, depending on your needs and where you’re at in your recovery journey.
Some of the programs include:
- Adolescent Intensive Treatment Program (AITP): A five-day-a-week, family-based program for young people aged 14+, combining medical, nutritional, and psychological care.
- Intensive Treatment Program (ITP): For individuals aged 16+ whose eating disorder is significantly affecting their wellbeing or quality of life.
- Schema Therapy Program: Targeted support for those with long-standing eating disorders or co-occurring trauma.
- Integrative Therapy Programs (EmpowerED): Focused programs for those with loss of control of eating related to trauma or executive dysfunction from ADHD and other conditions.
- Dialectical Behavioural Therapy (DBT) and Radically Open DBT: Group programs that build core emotional and relational skills.
- Outpatient consulting: Ongoing access to psychiatrists, GPs, and allied health clinicians to support your recovery at home.
Each program includes nutritional support through high-quality, chef-prepared meals, delivered in a home-style kitchen to mirror real-world environments.
How do I access treatment through Esus Centre?
To get started:
- Check your cover: You’ll need HBF Hospital cover that includes Hospital psychiatric services.
- Get a GP referral: Your GP can refer you to Esus Centre or you can see one at the Centre for a referral. A psychiatrist will then assess your needs and suitability for one of the programs.
Out-of-pocket costs may apply depending on your cover and treatment type. If you’re unsure, call HBF on 133 423 to find out more.
“Every person deserves the chance to recover,” says Dr Singh. “And with the right support, at the right time, that recovery can be full and lasting.”
