Our Services
Here at First Steps ED some of our services for adults and children are funded, others do require a fee. If you have any questions or need help accessing our services, please don’t hesitate to contact our team.
A safe, non-judgmental and understanding space to give you the time and freedom to talk. Our counsellors and psychotherapists provide 1:1 therapy to individuals aged 16 and above with eating disorders. Read more here.
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 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.
Befriending is our multi-award-winning 6-to-9-month weekly support programme, recognised by NHS England’s National Integrated Personal Commissioning Team. We match a service user with one of our highly trained and supervised befrienders who volunteer to provide ongoing support throughout the contract.
The service is offered in a range of formats including, email up to twice a week and video clinic/telephone calls up to once a week. Befriending can provide flexibility and a level of anonymity, giving you control of your own recovery. Learn more about our befriending service here.
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. Learn More Here.
Caring for Carers
Caring for a loved one with an eating disorder, diagnosed or not, can be overwhelming. It is common for families to feel that their new ‘carer’ role is impacting their own mental and physical health which is why First Steps ED feel our carers support pathway is an important offer within our service.
As well as a number of services available to you, we also have a range of resources and blog available as further reading and guidance. These are open access, and those in a carer role are welcome (and encouraged!) to contribute their own stories and experiences on our blog platform with the hope to shine a light on the importance of carers as a key part of a loved ones recovery
Services for Students
First Steps ED delivers specialist eating disorders support for students (EDISS) to commissioned universities in the UK. The service offers a specialised and person-centred approach to eating disorders within the academic environment. EDISS allows students to find the right support channel for them, with the flexibility to trial our services and change frequently, and find something which works around their schedule.
- Peer support
- Counselling
- Recovery and Self-Help Groups
- Online Befriending
- Volunteering opportunities
We also offer support to members of staff working in our college and university partners, as well as alumni students (up to 3 years following completion of their degree.) Not forgetting our CPD accredited training opportunities for professionals ‘Skills for Eating Disorder Support‘ which is available throughout the year via our dedicated Eventbrite page.
Our EDISS service is directly commissioned by a growing number of schools, colleges and universities providing a dedicated support service available to students and the support staff and teachers and lecturers. To bring EDISS to your school, college or university please submit your enquiry to info@firststepsed.co.uk
Any donation, no matter how small, helps us to continue supporting those affected by eating difficulties and disorders.
£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.
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.
You can make a referral now.
Referrals can either be made by yourself, by a parent/ carer, or professional support worker. 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.
