Parent and Carer Support for Eating Disorders

Supporting a loved one with an eating disorder can feel like a full-time job. Parents, partners, extended family members, and other carers are often placed in the challenging position of helping their loved one eat, manage distress, and coordinate care — all while navigating their own emotional responses. Without adequate support, this role can quickly lead to burnout.

Carers often put their own needs aside, but your wellbeing matters too. These sessions are designed to support and empower you in your role, while also creating space for your own healing and reflection.

How Carer Sessions Can Help

Parent and carer sessions are tailored to:

• Provide psychoeducation about eating disorders and their impact on both the individual and the carer

• Teach communication strategies to support more effective and compassionate interactions

• Equip you with tools to manage distress — both your own and your loved one’s

• Offer a safe, non-judgemental space to talk openly about your experience

• Explore any unintentional patterns that may be maintaining eating disorder behaviours

• Support self-care, reflection, and reconnection with your own needs

• Help you navigate the public and private healthcare systems

These sessions are available to anyone supporting a loved one with an eating disorder — regardless of whether the person is currently in treatment. If your loved one is receiving care, it’s recommended to first connect with their treatment team for guidance and coordination.

What to Expect

• Session length: 50 minutes

• Format: Online, in-person, or outreach/home visits

• Frequency: Flexible and based on your needs

You don’t have to do this alone. These sessions are here to support you — so you can continue to support your loved one with strength, clarity, and care.