The Door 2 Story

Founder of the Year 2023

Jan Clarke has been a finalist in many awards across the decades. Teacher of the Year, Telstra Business Woman of the Year, and Nominated for Australian of the Year, but her proudest moment was when she pitched the Door 2 Story and won Founder of the Year in the Launch Victoria pitch event.

Jan describes herself as an ‘old lady with a startup’' but in reality she has always been telling stories, advocating on behalf of others for their voice to be heard. A passionate advocate for people on the inside of an eating disorder ‘Insiders’, and their families on the outside, struggling to understand how to reach their loved on and be effective in supporting their recovery.

With a Master of Education, Jan is recognised Australia wide as an expert in Developmental Education with close to 40 years experience in the delivery of programs across multiple sectors.

Her expertise in the field of Eating Disorders has led to opportunities to consult, coordinate and lead teams of multiple stakeholders to deliver humane, sustainable and positive outcomes for people with complex eating disorders and their families.

After a lifetime working in the Eating Disorder and Education fields, raising 4 fabulous adults and 9 wonderful grandchildren, Jan retired to the farm to enjoy the view from her verandah.

It was Audrey who pulled on her heartstrings and got her off that porch and out of retirement. In 2019, after 6 years of ‘evidence based’ mainstream eating disorder treatment, the arrival of adulthood and the independence that comes with this, Audrey had relapsed and her family was in the fight of their life to save her.

For the first time in her eating disorder treatment, Audrey was given the space for her voice to be heard. . Working together, Audrey, her family, Jan and her treatment team supported this amazing Insider until she gained the insight, skills, strength and capacity to lead her own recovery.

In 2021, Jan pitched an idea to Audrey and Issy, another amazing Insider. Neither Audrey or Issy were fully recovered but their voices were strong and they could articulate their Inside experience really well. The idea was novel and untested. A program to help families and carers understand the ‘Inside’ experience of their loves ones with eating disorders. What was intended to be a 6 week pilot program of education, skills and support, hosted by Jan and guided through the ‘Insider’ experience, delivered unexpected outcomes.

A beautiful symbiotic relationship between Insiders and carers ‘Outsiders’ emerged. One where both sides felt validated, understood and supported. A relationship based on genuine connection, trust, honesty and commitment to one another was the result.

Door 2 has evolved from this original idea into a comprehensive program that is backed by research through practice informed evidence.

Our unique understanding of eating disorders through the lens of the complex interplay of personality traits, neurobiology, and coping styles, helps Insiders and their families develop the insight and skills they need to chart a pathway for recovery.

We now deliver programs for Insiders, Families through weekly small groups, webinars, individual treatment and support sessions for Insides and families.

We are excited to announce that our Podcast launches early September 2023 and a new program aimed at providers of care, using our unique model of Insider Led Education will launch in 2024.

Giving up is not in our DNA and we are pretty sure it is not in yours either. That’s probably why you are here.

So please, hit the ‘contact us’ button below and let’s talk about how you can get involved.

Here’s what Insiders and Families have to say about Door 2

“After 7 years of evidence based treatment in the mainstream system, my kind, loving and funny daughter was beaten, broken and defeated. Then I found Door 2. We replaced trauma, guilt and shame with knowledge, understanding, acceptance, kindness and empathy. My beautiful girl is finally finding peace within herself, has a part time job, is trying new activities and learning to become more independent.

Door 2 offers something you don’t find anywhere else and this is the priceless knowledge of the Insider lived experience”.

“Door 2 is my safe space. My home. Before Door 2 my voice was silenced through years of ‘evidence based’ mainstream treatment. Door 2 gifted me back my voice. They listened, educated and loved endlessly and this is just what I needed to do recovery my way”.

“Door 2 saved me. I have always found life overwhelmingly painful. My existence innately wrong. Then I found Door 2 and for the first time in my treatment I felt heard. Seen. My voice wasn’t taken away but rather at the forefront of every decision being made with me”.