One to One Specialist Support

Personalised, expert guidance tailored to your unique journey towards recovery.

What is One to One Specialist Support? 

Our One to One Specialist Support service offers 10 personalised sessions for anyone aged 5 and over who is affected by eating disorders, disordered eating, or related mental health challenges.

How does One to One Specialist Support work?

These sessions follow the principles of CBT-T (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – Ten), drawing on evidence-based approaches while remaining flexible and person-centred. We understand that every individual’s experience is unique, so we adapt our support to meet each person’s needs.
Support is delivered by our team of trained Specialist Support Officers, creating a safe, non-judgmental space to explore emotions, challenge unhelpful thoughts, and work towards recovery goals at your own pace.

As part of the 10-session journey, service users also benefit from two dedicated sessions with our in-house nutrition team. These focus on practical psychoeducation around food and nutrition, helping to build understanding, confidence, and motivation.

Who is One to One Specialist Support suitable for? 

This service is suitable for anyone aged 5+ affected by eating disorders, disordered eating, or related mental health challenges.

My Specialist Support Officer has been absolutely brilliant. He has been incredibly supportive and has helped me through some very testing times. He has given me multiple, useful, and sustainable strategies to help combat my eating disorder. I’d like to thank him from the bottom of my heart for everything he has done for me.

Service User , First Steps ED

Access to our services depends on your location, some areas are funded and free to access, while others are available through our highly subsidised Private Practice. Our One to One Support is delivered by highly trained Specialist Support Officers and costs £45 per session.

You can find out whether our service is funded or private by contacting us. Call us: 0300 1021685|info@firststepsed.co.uk

One to one sessions are available face-to-face or online, depending on location and what works best for you.

You don’t need a diagnosis or professional referral to access support—just a readiness to take the first step.

Support is Non-Clinical and Compassionate
Our One to One Support is non-clinical and focuses on exploring thoughts, feelings and emotions, goal setting, and empowerment. It is a safe space to be heard and reassured.

Our Work is Guided by Experience
Many of our Specialist Support Officers have lived experience of eating disorders or related challenges. They bring empathy, understanding, and practical insight to every session.

We are Structured, Yet Flexible
Support follows a CBT-T (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy – Ten) style approach with weekly goals, but sessions are always shaped around the individual’s needs and pace.

We Provide a Safe Space to Share
Sessions offer a safe and confidential environment to talk about experiences, feelings, and challenges. This is your time to be heard and supported.

We Focus on Empowerment
The aim is to help individuals build coping strategies, improve their mental health and wellbeing, and foster a more positive relationship with their body and food.

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.  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.

Next steps

If you’re ready to take the first step towards recovery, please submit a referral using the button below. If you have any other questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to contact us on 0300 1021685 or info@firststepsed.co.uk.

We’re here to support you every step of the way. 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.

Don’t worry if you’re not yet ready to work with us in a one-to-one setting, take a look at our online self-guided resource that you can work through in your own time.

“My Specialist Support Officer has been absolutely brilliant. He has been incredibly supportive and has helped me through some very testing times. He has given me multiple, useful, and sustainable strategies to help combat my eating disorder. I’d like to thank him from the bottom of my heart for everything he has done for me.”

Service User, First Steps ED

“This service has made an incredible difference to my recovery. The management report that I received was fantastic, and it gave me a space to speak openly, honestly, and freely. Honestly, the experience has changed my life, and I am incredibly grateful for the support that I have received from First Steps.”

Service User, First Steps ED

“I don’t find myself ruminating on things anymore, which is fantastic. Thank you for all of your help, I find myself going back to our conversations whenever I need to remind myself of what’s really important. You really helped me a lot and I feel my quality of life is so much better because of it, I’m confident you are doing the same for others too.”

Service User, First Steps ED

“It’s a valuable resource for support in a comfortable, non pressurising environment, giving me something to come away with, advice to think about and apply into practice.”

Service User, First Steps ED

“It made me realise that other people are experiencing the same as me which made me feel not alone and seeing others also try to recover motivated me to do the same.”

Service User, First Steps ED

“I really like how people interact in the chat and I am able to relate to things other people are struggling with. It makes me feel less alone.”

Service User, First Steps ED

“I thoroughly enjoy the sessions and find them extremely helpful – it makes me feel less alone in all of this.”

Service User, First Steps ED
“It’s provided a constant reminder and push to keep being active in recovery and it makes me feel less alone when I’m struggling.”
Service User, First Steps ED