5. SUPPORT FOR CARERS AND KEY SUPPORTS The family and carer team has a range of services and support options for family members, carers and key support people who are supporting a loved one with an eating disorder. The intention of these services is to provide information, support, skills, empowerment and connection for all carers and support people. Individual coaching: Coaching is provided for carers and key support people via the phone, face-to-face or online. Coaching assists in developing an understanding of eating disorders and ways in which the carer / key support can support the person with an eating disorder. Coaching sessions are solution focused and each session aims to collaboratively identify the key issues or challenges a carer is experiencing in supporting their loved one and to provide the carer with practical skills and strategies. Some carers engage in one or two coaching sessions, while others may attend more regularly. Family coaching: Family coaching sessions provide an opportunity for a carer and their loved one to collaboratively discuss practical strategies and action plans to enhance the individual’s recovery. Family coaching sessions are also solution focused. The aim of each session is to collaboratively identify the key issues or challenges the individual and their carer / key support are experiencing in the context of their recovery process and to provide the carer and individual with practical outcomes and strategies. This service is available to carers / key supports and clients who are both receiving support from EDQ. Carer peer mentor program: This program connects and individually matches carers / key supports who are currently supporting a loved one in their recovery from an eating disorder with a carer mentor who has previously been through this journey and who would now like to provide connection, support and hope for other carers / key supports. The program follows a strengths-based model and recognises the value of a carer’s lived experience specific to eating disorders, and the skills and knowledge developed as a result of their own caring role. Carer / key supports Help Kit: The Carer Help Kit aims to provide family members, carers and key support people with information and
Eating Disorders Queensland
resources about eating disorders, treatment options and ways to assist those with eating disorders. It includes information about resources that might also be helpful for GPs and other health professionals with clients accessing support for eating disorders. Fostering recovery workshop: This is an evidence based one day workshop that assists family members, carers and key support people to increase their understanding of eating disorders and provides practical skills and strategies. It is based on the work of Janet Treasure and includes: • • • • • •
Understanding the Eating Disorder Mindset Stages of Change Carer Responses Meal Support Strategies Communication Approaches Problem Solving Strategies
This program is also run online over three sessions providing state-wide access to the workshop. Carer / key supports connect group: The Carer Connect Group is a monthly psychoeducational group that provides a supportive and collaborative environment for family members, carers and support people to come together and connect with each other. The group runs monthly and focuses on different themes / topics each month with information and education provided, including guest speakers. To ensure equitable service provision to rural and remote areas of Queensland, this group rotates bimonthly between in-person and online sessions. Re-connect events: These groups run throughout the year and are an opportunity for carers who are currently engaged with EDQ to connect, as well as an opportunity for carers who may be new to EDQ to join a carer group. The intention of these evenings is to create a relaxed and supportive environment for carers / key support people with a focus on carer wellbeing and acknowledging carers’ strengths.
27
