Empowering Families

Workshops for parents and carers

'The workshops provide outstanding support for carers. I feel much better equipped to play a constructive role in my son's recovery.'

At Beat, we recognise that an eating disorder has a profound effect not only on the person who is unwell, but also on those who care for them. Family/carers are in a unique position to support their loved one to tackle the eating disorder, but can feel excluded from services. This can lead to feelings of frustration, guilt and disempowerment. Carers frequently ask Beat for specific, clear guidance on how best to help their loved one.

As part of Beat's ongoing commitment to improve services, we have launched Empowering Families; a course of eight skills training workshops which equip carers with the latest insight and tools detailed in 'The New Maudsley Method' (see 'Skills-based Learning for Caring for a Loved-one with an Eating Disorder', Treasure, Smith and Crane, 2007, visit our bookstore) pioneered by the Maudsley hospital in London, a leading inpatient and research unit.

The New Maudsley Method has been developed to support carers to increase their understanding about the illness and offers professional techniques for dealing with the difficulties created by the eating disorder, including:

Dealing with challenging behaviour

Specialised communication skills

Avoiding traps that may maintain the disorder

Supporting recovery

The Empowering Families workshops support a collaborative care ethos in which professionals, carers and sufferers work together towards recovery, empowering carers to become expert change coaches, using professional skills and information to support their loved one to break free from traps that prevent recovery, while looking after their own needs.