What is Parent and Carer Support?
At First Steps ED, we know that caring for someone with an eating disorder can feel overwhelming, and no two journeys are the same. That’s why we offer a range of tailored support to help parents, families, and carers feel more confident, informed, and supported throughout their loved one’s recovery. We recognise the vital role carers play in recovery, and we’re here to make sure you don’t have to face it alone.
Our Parent and Carer support includes:
How does Parent and Carer Support work?
Our dedicated team works closely with families and carers to offer both practical and emotional support through a range of tailored services, including:
Skills-Based Workshops – Our Skills for Carers programme is a three-week online course (delivered via Zoom), designed for anyone supporting a loved one with an eating disorder. Grounded in the New Maudsley Method, these sessions are filled with practical tools, real-life scenarios, and opportunities for peer learning.
You’ll learn how to:
- Better understand eating disorders and the recovery journey
- Recognise early signs and the stages of change
- Explore different caring styles (using our ‘Animal Analogies’)
- Improve communication and reduce conflict
- Set realistic goals and avoid unhelpful patterns like enabling or accommodating
Counselling and Psychotherapy – We offer Counselling and Psychotherapy to parents, relatives, and carers of those accessing support through First Steps ED. These sessions provide a safe, non-judgmental space to explore your feelings, discuss challenges, and develop strategies for self-care and supporting your loved one. No commitment is required for a certain number of sessions.
Parent and Carer drop-in – Our monthly online drop-in group is a relaxed, no-pressure space for parents and carers to come together, share challenges and successes, and connect with others who truly understand what you’re going through. There’s no obligation to attend every month, just join when you can. It’s a supportive, welcoming space to feel heard and less alone.
Parent and Carer Befriending – Parent and Carer Befriending offers one-to-one emotional support for parents, families, and carers of someone with an eating disorder. You’ll be matched with a trained volunteer who has lived experience of caring for someone with an eating disorder. They understand the challenges you may be facing and can offer a compassionate, non-judgmental listening ear.
Befriending is not therapy or crisis support, but a space where you can talk openly, feel heard, and be supported by someone who truly understands. Sessions can help reduce feelings of isolation, build confidence, and remind you that you are not alone on this journey.
Who is Parent and Carer Support suitable for?
- Parents, partners, and older siblings of individuals struggling with eating disorders or other mental health issues.
- Carers who are feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or uncertain about how to support their loved one during recovery.
- Families who need guidance and support as they navigate the emotional and practical challenges of caring for someone with an eating disorder.
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 Parent and Carer Counselling and Psychotherapy session fees range from £25 to £70, depending on the type of therapist and support required.
Our Skills for Carers Workshop is delivered by highly trained Specialist Support Officers and costs £45 for the three week course, which includes continuous access to our Parent and Carer Drop In.
You can find out whether our service is funded or private by contacting us. Call us: 0300 1021685|info@firststepsed.co.uk
All of our Parent and Carer Support sessions are delivered online.
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 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 Understand the Realities of Caring
Our dedicated Parents and Carers Team knows first-hand how exhausting, isolating, and overwhelming it can be to support a loved one through an eating disorder. With professional and lived experience, we offer expert guidance through workshops, support groups, and therapy , helping families find their way when they don’t know where to turn.
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.
Parent and Carer Guided Self-Help – £15
Caring for a loved one with eating difficulties can be frustrating, and finding support can be overwhelming. Take the first step to supporting them with our Parent and Carer Self-Help Resource.
The guide can be worked through at your own pace. Journal prompts throughout the course give you the opportunity to self-reflect on your own caring techniques, and how you can be an advocate for your loved ones’ recovery.