Our Eating Disorder Support Services
Here at First Steps ED some of our services for adults and children are funded, others do require a fee.
To learn more about the services we provide or to find out which are funded in your area, please contact us at info@firststepsed.co.uk. Your journey to recovery is our priority, and we are here to help every step of the way.
One to one support involves guidance and support from people with similar experiences or challenges. It is non-clinical and it aims to provide reassurance and seek solutions through a weekly structure of CBT-T style goal setting. Many of our specialist support officers at First Steps ED have lived experience and can offer knowledge and advice to the service user. One to one sessions can either be provided in person or online. They are one-to-one sessions where the individual can share their experiences, feelings, and coping strategies. The specialist support officer can then offer guidance and empowerment for the individual to overcome their struggles, and take positive strides to improve their mental health, wellbeing and relationship with their body and food.
Our befriending service is a welcoming, award-winning support programme designed to help you feel heard, understood, and less alone. Over 6 to 9 months, you’ll be matched with a trained volunteer befriender—someone who truly listens and offers regular support as you navigate recovery. Befriending is flexible to suit your needs, with support available by email or through weekly video or phone calls. Whether you’re looking for connection, encouragement, or simply someone who gets it, we’re here to walk alongside you.
Our counselling service offers a safe, supportive space where you can talk freely and without judgment. We provide 1:1 therapy for anyone aged 16 and over who is affected by eating disorders. All of our counsellors are highly trained, experienced, and passionate about delivering compassionate, person-centred care. They use a range of therapeutic approaches and understand the complexities of eating disorders—supporting both the emotional and physical aspects of recovery in a way that works for you.
Our Eating Disorders Support for Students (EDISS ) programme offers tailored, specialist support for students experiencing eating disorders. Delivered in partnership with universities across the UK, this service is designed to fit around the challenges of student life—providing flexible, person-centred care in a way that works for you. Whether you’re exploring support for the first time or looking for something that fits your schedule, EDISS gives you the space to try different options and find what feels right.
Our in-house Accredited Nutritional Therapists are here to support you through every stage of recovery—working alongside your your multi-disciplinary team to help rebuild a healthy relationship with food. As part of a holistic, person-centred approach, they provide compassionate, expert guidance tailored to your needs. Our team has experience supporting individuals with a wide range of eating disorders, including Anorexia, Bulimia, Binge Eating Disorder, ARFID, Diabulimia, Orthorexia, and more.
We know that every carer’s journey is unique, which is why we offer a range of support tailored to parents, families, and carers. From skill-based sessions to practical advice, our services are designed to help you feel more confident and supported as you navigate your loved one’s recovery. We also provide open-access resources and blogs, where carers can find guidance—and even share their own stories—to help others feel less alone and highlight the vital role carers play in recovery.
Our Private Practice is here to help you address your unique eating disorder recovery goals through counselling and psychotherapy.
Guided by you, we’ll agree on a session plan and you’ll be invited to attend regular sessions with the aim for you to be in control of your recovery journey and make progress towards your unique goals. What is great is the team is available both during the day and most evenings to ensure we are here to provide you with the right amount of support without interfering with your daily life. Click here to learn more.
We continue to listen to our service users and their families who help us to coproduce new services which reflect their needs. Our support groups are designed to offer different attendees the support they need at different times within their recovery.
Each of our groups offer a safe and secure space for service users to share their own experiences and engage with others who might be in a similar situation. First Steps ED workshops are essential and can be a lifeline for those in recovery. Participation will give attendees new skills, information and insight to help them identify triggers and establish new strategies and coping mechanisms.
Referrals can either be made by yourself, by a parent/carer, or professional. After making a referral, we aim to make contact within 10 workings days.
Private practice bookings are £45. All bookings are made in the strictest confidence and available to anyone (over the age of 16) who is currently impacted by any eating disorder, or symptoms of an eating disorder, including an individual sufferer, family member or carer. If you are referring into our private counselling service please let us know in the form.
Important: Please note that First Steps ED services are for people with mild to moderate eating disorder and comorbid mental health issues. We do not provide a crisis or emergency service. Following support from a crisis team, we require 12 weeks from your discharge date before making a referral into our services unless a professional referral is made by Integrated Community Services (ICS). If you need help for a mental health crisis or emergency, please visit the NHS website, contact your GP or for immediate assistance call 999.
£10 per month
Can contribute to an individual accessing our online befriending service. We are passionate about keeping our befriending service free and accessible to all, which is why your donation is so important! With either a monthly or one-off donation, you can help sponsor this service!
You can learn more about why we love this service here.
£45
Can pay for an individual to access a 1 hour support session with a trained therapist.
£100
Funds an individual to attend our four-week workshops, designed to offer new skills, information, strategies and coping mechanisms for recovery.
Not quite ready? Check out our blog for inspiration and motivation.
We are passionate about our creating a community which is understanding and non-judgmental, believing that support and guidance should be available for anyone affected by eating difficulties and disorders. It can take time to reach out for support and finding the confidence to speak to someone.
Our blog is here for whenever you need it. Here you’ll find First Steps ED updates, as well as stories and features from our community.
