"The best predictor of a healthy embryo is a
healthy egg and sperm"
Clinic and Telehealth Appointments
Contact us today for an appointment
1300 084 694
If you are located outside of Australia Phone +61 1300 084 694
1300 084 694
If you are located outside of Australia Phone +61 1300 084 694
Clinic Location
Suite T36 (The Johnson)
477 Boundary St, Spring Hill Brisbane, Queensland AUSTRALIA 4000 Our Clinic is located within The Johnson. Staff at reception will greet you and you will be able to relax in our comfortable waiting area until your appointment time. Metered parking may be found in the surrounding streets with different time limits up to 4+ hours. Secure parking may also be found close by on Fortescue St or at St Andrew's Hospital located opposite The Johnson. The free Spring Hill City loop bus stops right near our Clinic making it convenient to attend appointments from the city. The bus operates every 10-20 min from Queen Street Stop 57. |
Unsure if We Could Help?
Book a free phone call to find out if you
could benefit from our expertise.
could benefit from our expertise.
Dr Cecilia Kitic
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Exercise Physiology
Dr Cecilia Kitic has spent over 20 years researching how exercise affects the body. You can check out her publications here. With a special research interest in gut health and inflammation Cecilia provides scientific, evidence based exercise prescription to improve fertility and the chance of conception.
As an Accredited Exercise Physiologist, Cecilia is equipped with the knowledge, skills and competencies to design, deliver and evaluate safe and effective exercise interventions for enhancing fertility. Exercise is one of the most potent ways to dampen inflammation and oxidative stress that underlie PCOS, endometriosis, male factor infertility and unexplained infertility. Exercise can also improve your gut health, balancing out your gut bugs for a happy community to create a Fertile Gut. |
Fertility Nutrition
Dr Sue Read is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian specialising in enhancing fertility with food. With a PhD in Microbiology and a Masters in Nutrition and Dietetics Sue can combine her two loves: food and gut bugs!
Focusing on creating a Fertile Gut, Sue provides simple and realistic guidance so you can boost your fertility, giving you the best chance of conception. |
Dr Sue Read
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Alisha Polsen
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Fertility PsychologyAlisha Polsen is an AHPRA registered psychologist and member of the Australian Psychological Society and has provided psychotherapy for fertility clients for ten years.
Her interest in working with individuals and couples facing fertility challenges stemmed from appreciating the need for a safe and confidential space to address the many impacts of this challenging life experience with an experienced professional. Alisha provides psychotherapy for clients throughout all stages of experiencing fertility challenges including establishment of optimum health and wellbeing prior to conception, IVF, PGD/PGS, gamete donation, post treatment adjustment and pre-natal stages. Her practice employs principles of evidence based frameworks including Acceptance and Commitment therapy, Neuropsychotherapy and Hakomi with an emphasis on physiological regulation to address experiences of anxiety, grief and stress. Alisha works with clients in building resilience in achievable steps as early as possible to offer the best preparation to effectively manage stressful life experiences including fertility challenges and treatment. She also addresses social, relational and many more impacts of facing fertility challenges. Our gut is connected to our brain so regulating stress is a great way to promote a healthy gut. Adopting strategies that reduce activation of the sympathetic nervous system will promote a healthy microbiota and a Fertile Gut. Alisha is recognised by Medicare to provide psychotherapy under the Mental Health Scheme and Perinatal Scheme. |
Fertility DietitianKirrily has a passion for fertility nutrition and brings a unique combination of experience as an Accredited Sports Dietitian and long history in the health & fitness industry.
Kirrily has always enjoyed being active and has previously competed in road bike racing as part of Queensland women’s teams, however more recently prefers to spend time in the gym & in nature with some trail running. Over the years of working with athletes as a Sports Dietitian, Kirrily found that gut health, and women’s health became her areas of interest, and then delved into nutrition for fertility when the time came for having a family. Through her own challenges with gastrointestinal & women’s health issues, coupled with navigating a fertility journey, Kirrily understands first hand the importance of multi disciplinary care, as well as the emotional roller coaster that a fertility journey brings. Kirrily's credentials inlcude Accredited Sports Dietitian (ASD) and Accredited Dietitian & Nutritionist (APD) with a Bachelor of Health Science, Nutrition & Dietietcs (Honours), ASCA Strength & Conditioning Coach, lnternational Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) Level 1 Anthropometrist and Microba Informed Practitioner. |
Kirrily Tutt
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Emily Hahn
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Fertility DietitianEmily is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with a special interest in the relationship between nutrition, gut health, and fertility, after witnessing first-hand the powerful effects of nutrition and movement on her own hormonal health.
As a former teacher, Emily is passionate about empowering others through education, thereby ensuring clients have the knowledge and skills to nourish through nutrition long after they have departed from her care. In practice, Emily draws on the frameworks of Intuitive Eating and Gentle Nutrition to guide clients towards cultivating practical, sustainable, and healthful self-care behaviours that honour and support their mind and body throughout their fertility journey and beyond. While Emily delights in bringing to consults her knowledge of nutrition, microbiology, and endocrinology, she also recognises and respects her clients as the true experts of their body and life experiences and thus adopts a collaborative approach with clients to ensure nutritional care meets their physical and emotional needs. |
Exercise PhysiologyMeghan Achilles is an Accredited Exercise Physiologist (AEP). In combination with her extensive academic achievements (Meg has completed a Bachelors in Psychological Science, Bachelors in Exercise and Sport Science, and Masters in Clinical Exercise Physiology) Meg has over 20 years experience in the health and fitness industry.
Exercise has been a love for Meg during this time, and she has enjoyed being able to help others find an exercise routine that is enjoyable, realistic and tailored to them. Meg has had her own infertility challenges, and has completed many rounds of IVF to achieve her two beautiful girls. She understands the value of exercise, in conjunction with nutrition and psychological support, for health and as a stress management strategy. As an Exercise Physiologist on her own fertility journey, she was confused by the conflicting advice from her treating team in relation to exercise, and it didn't align with what she had learned during her university education. This pushed her to seek evidence-based information and advice that was specific to fertility, and she came across The IVF Project. It was a rare gem in the myriad of inconsistent internet blogs and online articles about IVF and exercise. Meghan has continued to specialise in the area of exercise and infertility and is thrilled to now be working at The IVF Project! |
Meghan Achilles
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A Multidisciplinary Approach for Superior Outcomes
We are scientists, but we are also practitioners. This gives us the best combination of knowing how to source all the scientific evidence on fertility, how to interpret the evidence and weed out the fact from fiction.
We have spent years understanding how nutrition, psychology and exercise impact every aspect of the body including our muscles which help regulate energy metabolism, our hormones which are crucial communicators to promote reproductive health and our immune system which is like the commander in chief enabling fertile ground or calling all-out war on our body.
We also know what our resident microbiota, or gut friends as we like to call them, can do for fertility. Our gut microbiota are CENTRAL to fertility and we would love to share with you everything we have learnt and applied to help clients get pregnant by making sure they have a Fertile Gut.
Meet our fertility experts who deliver strategies YOU can adopt to make your gut fertile ground to promote conception.
We LOVE what we do!
We have spent years understanding how nutrition, psychology and exercise impact every aspect of the body including our muscles which help regulate energy metabolism, our hormones which are crucial communicators to promote reproductive health and our immune system which is like the commander in chief enabling fertile ground or calling all-out war on our body.
We also know what our resident microbiota, or gut friends as we like to call them, can do for fertility. Our gut microbiota are CENTRAL to fertility and we would love to share with you everything we have learnt and applied to help clients get pregnant by making sure they have a Fertile Gut.
Meet our fertility experts who deliver strategies YOU can adopt to make your gut fertile ground to promote conception.
We LOVE what we do!
|
Are You Ready to Improve Your Chance of Pregnancy?
Q&A and Some Extra Information
Do I need a referral?
No. Referrals are certainly welcome, but are not necessary. You may be eligible to claim a rebate from your Private Health Fund if you have extras cover. A referral from your doctor is required though to access a Medicare rebate. Eligibility requirements will need to be discussed with your Doctor (see below).
What happens during my inital consultation?
Your first appointment is an opportunity to discuss comprehensively your health, medical, personal and physical activity history to determine factors influencing your reproductive health.
Your initial appointment will also provide you with details of how we will complete your nutritional analysis as deemed appropriate for your needs. Dietitian guidance and support will then be provided in a subsequent consultation.
What do I wear?
Follow Exercise Physiology consultations will take place in the gym. Please wear comfortable clothing you can walk and move freely in, and walking shoes or runners. Please also bring a water bottle and a towel to your exercise appointments.
What else do I need to bring?
Please bring any paperwork provided by your doctor or treating specialist. These may include any fertility test results such as blood test / semen analysis results.
Private Health Insurance
Exercise Physiology, Dietetic and Psychology services are now recognised by almost all private health funds and substantial rebates are available. We recommend you contact your health fund to ensure you are eligible for Exercise Physiology, Dietetic and Psychology services dependent on your level of extras cover.
Medicare GP Care Plan
Infertility is defined by the World Health Organisation as a disease. If you have a chronic medical condition, such as infertility, endometriosis or PCOS, you may be eligible to receive Medicare benefits for allied health services to help manage your condition.
Medicare Australia have developed a Chronic Disease Management Plan which is set out by your medical practitioner (including general practitioner, but not a specialist or consultant physician). To be eligible for Medicare support you must be referred from a GP to one of our Exercise Physiologists, Dietitians or Psychologists and placed on a Chronic Disease Management Plan. To be eligible for that Plan you must have a chronic disease or injury (an issue longer than 3 – 6 months). Your GP will determine practitioner support for you which may include a maximum of 5 Medicare rebate services per each calendar year for services like Exercise Physiology, Dietetics and Psychology.
Can I use my health fund and get the Chronic Disease Management Plan plan rebate for the same consultation?
You cannot use your health fund and Chronic Disease Management Plan for the same consultation. Often people will use the rebate from the health fund for the initial consultation as they get a greater amount back, then use the Chronic Disease Management Plan funding for the following appointments. Please check with your health fund before your first appointment as it can vary.
What are your payment methods?
We accept payments via VISA and MasterCard. Payment is required at the time of consultation. An invoice will be issued to enable you to claim a Private Health Fund or Medicare rebate (if eligible).
No. Referrals are certainly welcome, but are not necessary. You may be eligible to claim a rebate from your Private Health Fund if you have extras cover. A referral from your doctor is required though to access a Medicare rebate. Eligibility requirements will need to be discussed with your Doctor (see below).
What happens during my inital consultation?
Your first appointment is an opportunity to discuss comprehensively your health, medical, personal and physical activity history to determine factors influencing your reproductive health.
Your initial appointment will also provide you with details of how we will complete your nutritional analysis as deemed appropriate for your needs. Dietitian guidance and support will then be provided in a subsequent consultation.
What do I wear?
Follow Exercise Physiology consultations will take place in the gym. Please wear comfortable clothing you can walk and move freely in, and walking shoes or runners. Please also bring a water bottle and a towel to your exercise appointments.
What else do I need to bring?
Please bring any paperwork provided by your doctor or treating specialist. These may include any fertility test results such as blood test / semen analysis results.
Private Health Insurance
Exercise Physiology, Dietetic and Psychology services are now recognised by almost all private health funds and substantial rebates are available. We recommend you contact your health fund to ensure you are eligible for Exercise Physiology, Dietetic and Psychology services dependent on your level of extras cover.
Medicare GP Care Plan
Infertility is defined by the World Health Organisation as a disease. If you have a chronic medical condition, such as infertility, endometriosis or PCOS, you may be eligible to receive Medicare benefits for allied health services to help manage your condition.
Medicare Australia have developed a Chronic Disease Management Plan which is set out by your medical practitioner (including general practitioner, but not a specialist or consultant physician). To be eligible for Medicare support you must be referred from a GP to one of our Exercise Physiologists, Dietitians or Psychologists and placed on a Chronic Disease Management Plan. To be eligible for that Plan you must have a chronic disease or injury (an issue longer than 3 – 6 months). Your GP will determine practitioner support for you which may include a maximum of 5 Medicare rebate services per each calendar year for services like Exercise Physiology, Dietetics and Psychology.
Can I use my health fund and get the Chronic Disease Management Plan plan rebate for the same consultation?
You cannot use your health fund and Chronic Disease Management Plan for the same consultation. Often people will use the rebate from the health fund for the initial consultation as they get a greater amount back, then use the Chronic Disease Management Plan funding for the following appointments. Please check with your health fund before your first appointment as it can vary.
What are your payment methods?
We accept payments via VISA and MasterCard. Payment is required at the time of consultation. An invoice will be issued to enable you to claim a Private Health Fund or Medicare rebate (if eligible).
Contact Us
Questions? If you would like to know more about how we can help you please get in touch with us by calling or we would love to hear from you on email.
1300 084 694
help@theivfproject.com
1300 084 694
help@theivfproject.com