Your Multidisciplinary Team
Gastroenterology
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Gastroenterologist and FounderAssociate Professor Britt Christensen is a gastroenterologist who combines public practice at The Royal Melbourne Hospital as Head of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Department and private practice in East Melbourne. She studied medicine at the University of Melbourne, graduating with honours ad completed a Master of Public Health at Monash University, for which she was awarded a Medal of Academic Excellence. Subsequently, she was awarded the Joseph B. Kirsner fellowship and spent over 2 years undertaking advanced training in IBD at the prestigious University of Chicago Department of Medicine, one of the largest and most prominent IBD centers in the world. Whilst there she also completed her PhD looking at histological outcomes and novel therapies in IBD. She has undergone further sub-specialty training in intestinal and perineal ultrasound training at Luigi Sacco Hospital in Milan, Italy and IBD and familial bowel cancer at the Amsterdam University Medical Center, Netherlands. Britt has a current research interest focusing on mucosal and transmural healing, intestinal and perineal ultrasound in IBD, management of perianal fistulas, pregnancy and IBD and new inflammatory pathways of IBD. Although Britt maintains a special interest in the inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, she is highly experienced in investigating and managing all gastroenterological complaints, including iron deficiency, gastrointestinal bleeding, bowel cancer screening, coeliac disease and liver disorders. She has been Chair of the IBD executive committee for the Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA), a board member of GESA and the scientific lead for the international bowel ultrasound group. She currently supervises several PhD students and runs an IBD clinical and research fellowship at Royal Melbourne Hospital. She is frequently invited to speak both nationally and internationally on IBD, has authored multiple book chapters on IBD and is a reviewer for many of the top journals in the field of Gastroenterology. In 2023, along with Dr Tamara Mogilevski, she co-founded The Melbourne Gut Clinic with the aim of bringing holistic, multi-disciplinary care to her patients.
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Gastroenterologist and FounderDr Tamara Mogilevski is a gastroenterologist who combines a public appointment at The Royal Melbourne Hospital and private practice at The Melbourne Gut Clinic in East Melbourne. She completed her undergraduate training at The University of Melbourne – graduating with honours in 2011. She completed her post graduate training at the Austin, Northern and Alfred Hospitals and subsequently went on to consolidate her Inflammatory Bowel Disease training at the world famous Royal London Hospital during an 18 month fellowship in the United Kingdom. During this time she further consolidated her endoscopy skills at The Royal Free Hospital in London. On her return from the UK she completed her PhD which focused on the utility of intestinal permeability measurements and the use of vagal nerve stimulation in IBD. Dr Mogilevski was awarded multiple research scholarships including the prestigious postgraduate NHMRC scholarship to complete her postgraduate studies. Dr Mogilevski maintains a keen interest in research, student supervision and education and is currently serving as an elected member of the GESA Inflammatory Bowel Disease executive committee. She is experienced in all aspects of gastroenterology including the investigation of iron deficiency, screening and surveillance of polyps, polyposis syndromes and colorectal cancer surveillance, gastrointestinal bleeding, coeliac disease and liver disease. Outside of work Tamara enjoys spending time with her young family and friends, trail running, pilates and hanging out at the beach.
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GastroenterologistDaniel is a Melbourne-trained Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist, and Endoscopist with experience treating the whole gamut of gastroenterological conditions. He has particular interests in hepatology, cancer prevention through screening endoscopy, and disorders of gut-brain interaction. In addition to his work at The MGC, he has public appointments at the Alfred Hospital (hepatology, functional GI, and endoscopy), St Vincent's Hospital (endoscopy), and Eastern Health (endoscopy and inpatient gastroenterology).
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Interventional GastroenterologistDr Jeremy Dwyer is a Gastroenterologist and interventional endoscopist who combines private practice in East Melbourne with public appointments at The Alfred and Western Health. Dr Dwyer consults at The MGC and 438 High Street, Melton. He performs procedures at Epworth Freemasons, Epworth Richmond and the Hobson Healthcare Day Endoscopy Centre. Dr Dwyer completed an Honours degree in Biomedical Science from the University of Melbourne before graduating Medicine with Honours from the University of Sydney in 2006. He completed specialist training as a Gastroenterologist in 2014 and completed Advanced Endoscopy Fellowships at the Alfred, the Austin Hospital and St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Canada.
Dr Dwyer endeavours to provide his patients with timely, precise, and personable care. His approachable nature and disposition to help others has shaped his ability to provide patients with quality care. Referrals can be forwarded via fax, email or secure electronic communication (Argus, HealthLink) and patients are welcome to call his rooms with any enquiries.
His special interests include:
The detection and resection of polyps and early cancers of the gastrointestinal tract including endoscopic mucosal resection of large polyps
Management of iron deficiency anaemia and gastrointestinal bleeding including capsule endoscopy and balloon enteroscopy
Endoscopic management of hepatobiliary and pancreatic disorders including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
Management of luminal gastroenterological conditions including gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and endoscopic stenting for malignant obstruction
Colorectal Surgery
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Colorectal SurgeonDr Cori Behrenbruch is a CSSANZ trained female colorectal surgeon. She completed her general surgical training in 2015 through St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne, with rotations through The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The Royal Melbourne Hospital. Dr Cori subsequently completed two years of speciality colorectal training. The first year was a high-volume laparoscopic fellowship at Box Hill Hospital in Melbourne and the second year at St Mark’s Hospital in London, where she trained in robotic surgery, advanced colorectal cancer and complex inflammatory bowel disease including fistulising perianal Crohn's disease. Dr Cori has also completed a PhD through Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the University of Melbourne focusing on chemotherapy resistance in metastatic colorectal cancer.
Dr Cori is a colorectal surgeon committed to achieving the best clinical outcomes for her patients. Her approach is holistic with equal emphasis on achieving good quality of life, with the surgery being only one component of the overall care of her patients. Many of the conditions that Dr Cori manages are sensitive and patients often wait a long time to seek medical attention due to embarrassment. Dr Cori takes her time with each consultation and ensures that patients feel relaxed and secure. Dr Cori has had extensive general and sub-speciality colorectal training both nationally and internationally and has introduced novel techniques to the hospitals where she works, including laser fistula and VAAFT techniques.
Dr Cori currently works publically at Peter MacCallum cancer centre and St Vincent's Hospital in Fitzroy with subspeciality interest in peritoneal malignancy and complex perianal fistulas. She is also committed to research and education and is the clinical lead for surgical teaching of medical students at St Vincent's Public Hospital, and runs the research program within the colorectal unit at St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy. When she is not at work, she is lucky to be mum to two wonderful little girls.
Dietetics
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Accredited Practicing Dietitian
Dr Emma Halmos is a senior research dietitian and fellow at Monash University, Alfred Health, in the area of gastroenterology, with interests in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and coeliac disease. Emma’s scientific achievements have had a major impact in academia and clinical practice. Most notably, Emma led the pivotal feeding study as part of her PhD that showed the low FODMAP diet was effective in treating patients with IBS. This study launched a major change globally in attitude and enthusiasm towards dietary management. She is well known within the gastroenterology community, being a committee member for the Australian IBD dietitians’ group (DECCAN), Crohn’s Colitis Australia and Dietitians of ECCO (European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation- world’s largest IBD forum). Emma reputation is internationally renowned and she has presented her work at several national and international conferences, including being the first dietitian invited to speak at the plenary of ECCO, attended by over 8000 delegates. She is also lead coordinator for the first ECCO consensus guidelines for diet in IBD management. Now in a leadership role, Emma is designing dietary studies for IBD management and supervising PhD students, mostly dietitians. Emma is passionate about inspiring and guiding other dietitians to enter into research.Working privately at The Melbourne Gut Clinic as a gastrointestinal dietitian, Emma translates research to practical clinical advice to her patients and strives to empower her patients to be actively involved in understanding their disease and how dietary manipulation can be used as treatment.
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Accredited Practicing Dietitian
Jessica Fitzpatrick is an Accredited Practising Dietitian specialising in the treatment of patients with gastrointestinal diseases such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Coeliac disease. Jessica has completed her Masters of Clinical Research Methods at Monash University and has submitted her PhD with Monash University investigating the potential role of emulsifiers in the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease. Jessica has published her scientific work in peer review journals and has contributed to Australian wide guidelines treating patients with Crohn’s disease with dietary therapy. She is the founder of the Dietitians Crohn’s and Colitis Australian Network (DECCAN). Jessica is the proud recipient of the Crohn’s Colitis Australia PhD Scholarship. Her passion is to contribute high quality research to the body of evidence related to nutrition intervention in patients with gastrointestinal disorders and translate this into her clinical practice to provide patients with individualised, evidenced based and compassionate care.
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
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Pelvic Floor PhysiotherapistAnita is a Specialist Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health Physiotherapist (as awarded by the Australian College of Physiotherapists 2022) FACP. She graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2009 as a Physiotherapist, completed a Master of Physiotherapy with Majors in Women’s Health & Musculoskeletal Health at the University of Melbourne in 2014 and holds qualifications in Sports Physiotherapy. Anita endeavours to provide holistic management for her patients combining manual and exercise therapies to help them achieve their health goals.
Anita has a keen interest in treating complex pelvic floor conditions affecting women, men and the LGBTQIA+ community which include bowel issues (such as constipation, urgency, incontinence and pain) as well as urinary incontinence, pelvic pain and prolapse. She also works with children and their families to work on paediatric continence and constipation issues.
Outside the clinic, Anita enjoys teaching and mentoring physiotherapists and students. She also teaches post graduate physiotherapists and doctors at the University of Melbourne, where she also helped develop the Masters of Sports Medicine program. Anita is Vice Chair of the Women’s, Men’s and Pelvic Health Committee of the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) and has been an integral part of National Scientific Committees and the National Professional Standards Panel for the APA.
On a personal note, Anita loves to dance and is an accomplished classical Indian dancer. She is also fluent in Hindi and Punjabi.
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Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist
Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) (University of Sydney), Post Graduate Certificate in Women’s Health (Pelvic Floor) (University of Melbourne), Continence Foundation Australia Member.
Kate has 20 years experience working as a Physiotherapist in both the public and private sectors in Australia and the UK. Kate first became involved in pelvic health Physiotherapy over 15 years ago in the UK, before moving back to Australia to start a family.
Kate is dedicated, caring and passionate about empowering all of her patients to meet their health goals and achieve their best outcomes through all their life stages. She has a special interest and experience in managing persistent pelvic pain and sexual dysfunction issues.
Outside of work, Kate loves spending time with her family, travelling, going for long walks along Merri Creek and having long chats with friends over lots of coffee!
Gut Directed Hypnotherapy
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CLINICAL HYPNOTHERAPIST /PSYCHOTHERAPIST – GUT-DIRECTED
HYPNOTHERAPIST
Amreeta Stara is a Certified Clinical Hypnotherapist and Psychotherapist registered with the Australian Hypnotherapist Association (AHA), The Guild of Australian Hypnotherapist (GoAH), and accredited by the Hypnotherapy Council of Australia (HCA). She is currently practicing at The Melbourne Gut Clinic.
With over 8 years of experience and expertise in a wide range of hypnotherapy and psychotherapeutic techniques, Amreeta has had the privilege of guiding many clients towards improved mental and physical well-being. Prior to this she was in corporate law.
Amreeta is passionate about ongoing professional development, research, and continuing education, as well as writing articles on hypnotherapy and psychotherapy.
She is also a published author, and her book; ‘Inner Essence’, focusses on personal development and mindful living.
Experience & Expertise:
- Specialize in Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy, providing tailored treatment plans to help clients regulate their nervous system and vagal tone, improve their digestive health via gut-brain hypnosis and achieve overall well-being.
- Implement effective pain management strategies utilizing hypnotherapy to reduce chronic pain symptoms.
- Manage autoimmune disorders through integrative hypnotherapy approaches, enhancing clients' quality of life.
- Address mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and trauma with evidence-based hypnotherapy & psychotherapeutic techniques.
- Assist clients in overcoming weight issues, addictions, bad habits, and phobias, fostering long-term behavioural change.
- Conduct stress reduction sessions and improve sleep quality for clients experiencing sleep issues.
- Facilitate workshops and seminars on hypnotherapy benefits and techniques for various health conditions and for personal development.
Her work addresses the psychological roots and responses associated with clients’ symptoms and integrates a holistic, evidence-based approach that is tailored to the unique needs of each client. Amreeta is also a proud mom to three teenagers and two Akita fur babies.
For more, visit www.amreetastara.com
Understanding Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy
Gut-directed hypnotherapy is a specialised form of therapy designed to address digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bloating, and other gut-related concerns.
Hypnotherapy is a person-centred, result-focused, evidence-based, and integrative therapy combining clinical hypnosis and psychotherapy. It is a natural, safe, and most successful form of therapy for many issues.
Hypnosis is a state of relaxation called trance. It is a consent state that the subject allows himself to enter, during which there is an altered state of conscious awareness (high degree of focused attention) and heightened suggestibility, making it possible to access the subconscious mind and facilitate therapeutic change. This enables the therapist and subject to work directly with the subconscious mind, where the issue lies, without rejection from the critical faculty of the mind, making it possible to dissect the root cause of the issue and transform it.
By combining hypnotherapy with different psychotherapeutic tools, the therapist will guide individuals into a deep hypnotic state, making it possible to then rewire the subconscious mind by altering any negative thought patterns and stress responses that can exacerbate the gut symptoms.
Our gut is connected to the Nervous System and Vagus Nerves, which are connected to the subconscious mind. By accessing and reprogramming the subconscious mind, we can help regulate the nervous system and vagal nerves, implement effective pain management strategies to reduce chronic pain symptoms, help manage symptoms and improve quality of life, address mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, and trauma with evidence-based hypnotherapy & psychotherapeutic techniques, and promote a positive mindset, which can help alleviate gut symptoms and enhance overall well-being.
For more, please visit:
www.amreetastara.com/gut-directed-hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy Myths vs Reality:
www.amreetastara.com/myths-vs-reality
Book in for a 15 to 20-minute free consult.
Email: referrals@themgc.au Or info@amreetastara.com