A lived experience approach to eating disorder peer support
An eating disorder is not a choice and recovery requires the support of a multidisciplinary team.
I battled an eating disorder throughout my twenties and experienced significant health consequences. Peer support was not available then and I used to wish I could talk to someone who had walked in my shoes. This gap instilled a strong aspiration of helping others in their recovery.
Importantly, I decided to base this work in nutrition science, so I could understand how our bodies rely on us to provide the nutrients we deserve for a proper chance to thrive. During my study, I also examined the eating disorder treatment system in New Zealand and the trust requirements of an effective therapeutic alliance, before developing a new equine-assisted therapy model. I am carrying this work forward into advanced postgraduate study and policy advocacy.
I now offer a blend of lived experience, coaching expertise and nutrition knowledge to support a caring recovery process for people and whānau affected by disordered eating.
It is comforting to talk to a mentor who understands what it is like to have an eating disorder
By modelling recovery experience and body acceptance, eating disorder peer coaching can partner effectively with clinical supports.
Talking to someone about how you feel throughout treatment and recovery can help you to feel less overwhelmed, more confident to ask for what you need and empowered to stay the course when recovery steps are hard. A lived experience perspective gives legitimacy and hope that helps to counteract the eating disorder's tendency to undermine our faith in others, our sense of identity and what we think we can achieve.
As you learn to accept your body's needs, to eat socially again, and to reclaim the activities you used to enjoy, having someone who understands the vulnerability you might feel during these milestones can be reassuring too.
We will work together to create and maintain a recovery programme that fits your needs
We will start with a welcoming, careful conversation to gauge how you are feeling about the recovery process, what clinicial and other supports you have around you and topics we can address to support milestones in your recovery.
For people under 18, I require caregiver/s (or a clinician or other trusted person) to participate in the preliminary consultation to agree the framework for how we will work together.
Once we have identified priorities, I will develop a programme so you know what to expect from our sessions. We will review our objectives regularly and, of course, we can always be flexible and discuss what is challenging to you at any point in time.
I know that discussing sensitive topics can feel daunting. You are always most welcome to have a support person participate in sessions.
Eating Disorder Peer Support Service Overview
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'Meet and Greet' sessions so you can see if I'm the right fit for you (free of charge).
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Detailed consultation to agree a framework for how we work together, and key themes and milestones we will explore in your recovery journey (aligned to your treatment plan).
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45-60 minute follow-up sessions to discuss these themes, with follow-up actions agreed and supported.
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Quick 20-30 minute check-ins, to keep you on track in a tricky week or to celebrate milestones.
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Secure text message support - to touch base at times you know might be difficult, to keep you boosted when things are going well, or to have access to a champion when you are trying something new.
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'Eat Together' sessions where we share a meal, alleviating anxiety about eating around others.
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Q&A sessions for caregivers and families so they can find out more about what it's like to have an eating disorder and how they can look after themselves, too. These can help to reduce stigma, encourage open discussion and unite the family in the supports they require from the treatment system.