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6. LIVED EXPERIENCE
EDQ also employs peer support workers. These workers complement other therapies and offer a safe, compassionate space to connect with a peer who understands the struggle involved in overcoming an eating disorder. In addition to this, there are three peer-specific programs run at EDQ.
Peer Mentoring Program:
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The peer mentoring program supports people who are recovering from eating disorders by partnering mentees with mentors who have recovered from an eating disorder. Mentors must have been in stable recovery from their eating disorder for a minimum of two years and are provided with regular supervision to ensure their recovery is supported and maintained. Mentors are required to undertake thorough training through the EDQ program and must make a commitment to regular mentoring contact for a six-month period.
The design and structure of the peer mentoring program is based on best practice national and international standards from other mentoring programs including the Walking Together, Learning Together Indigenous Mentoring Program, Queensland Government Community Services Skilling Plan, 2009.
Peer Support Group:
The peer support group aims to provide an opportunity for those in recovery to connect with other peers who have shared similar experiences. Groups are facilitated by EDQ practitioners who also have lived experience and who will work alongside group participants to find solutions to common problems and help to navigate the pathway to recovery.
Speaker Program:
The EDQ speaker program began in 2016 and sits alongside the peer mentoring program. The speaker program recognises the power in hearing someone who is in recovery speak about their own recovery journey. Speaking events take place in a range of settings including within groups at EDQ and hospital services. EDQ provides speaker and storytelling training for all people who participate in the speaker program. Speakers are required to undertake mentor training and be in stable recovery for two years. We recognise that the telling of recovery stories can be triggering and our training provides safe guidelines for speakers and the audience 79 .
44. Workers bring a diversity of experiences to their role as practitioners.
Many workers are motivated to work in areas such as eating disorders because of a personal experience, either their own or the experience of someone close to them. These experiences can be a positive contribution to their role as eating disorder practitioners. The NEDC 80 acknowledged that people with personal experiences of eating disorders should be involved at all levels of service development.
All workers must clearly articulate well-defined boundaries in client work, regardless of whether they have a lived experience of an eating disorder. Appropriately and purposefully sharing our lived experiences can assist client work in a range of ways, including by reducing power imbalances and by instilling a sense of hopefulness that recovery is possible.
An emphasis on ongoing professional supervision and training is imperative for all workers to ensure that our practice remains focused on the client and their journey to recovery.
45. Non-therapeutic support is a key component of the overall approach to service delivery.
There is a strong evidence base for the value of peer support programs in a range of clinical applications. As with eating disorder practitioners, peer workers provide a sense of hope that recovery is possible through the sharing of their experiences. Many clients identify peer support as vital in providing support and understanding as well as providing hope for the future 81 .
Speaking to someone who has recovered [from an eating disorder] was identified as very helpful in motivating people to start or continue to engage with treatment 82 .
Many clients say that peer workers may initially be more approachable because of the reduced power imbalances; this can facilitate a greater sense of involvement in the different aspects of the service. Peer support workers also become role models for clients especially in relation to meal sharing opportunities. There are many benefits for peer workers involved in client work. Many peer workers feel recognised and valued in a way they have not previously experienced. To be able to share their experiences with others in a beneficial way is an empowering and fulfilling experience.
46. Establish a community of peers.
Eating disorders are isolating issues. Being able to connect with others who have these lived experiences can provide a level of connection that clients may not experience in other parts of their lives. These connections are valuable in the recovery process. We know that the stigma of an eating disorder can be lessened through connection with others who have similar experiences.
A community of peers can create opportunities for clients to participate through sharing stories. It can create the feeling of having a voice and help the clients to move away from a reliance on professional practitioners. In addition to the sharing of life experiences and information, the community of peers is also about letting go and having some fun together as well as connecting on other issues unrelated to eating disorders.
Research suggests that peer mentees experience a significant decrease in stigma from their participation in a peer program as well as an increase in hope for the future and motivation for recovery 83 .
Ensuring there is no judgement about diverse presentations or about relapse, is an important component of peer work. When we can acknowledge our humanness and meet others where they are at in whatever stage of recovery, we have created a healing space.
47. Peer work provides avenues for professional growth and development.
When lived experience is a key component of the provision of services, there can be progressive levels of opportunity for peer involvement. For example, clients can move into support roles through the peer mentoring program, from being a mentee to a mentor, and to facilitating the peer support group as well as taking up opportunities for participation in the speakers’ program.
Research suggests that peer mentoring is a positive experience for peer mentors as well as peer mentees in a range of different ways. Peer mentor programs provide peer mentors with opportunities for reflection on their own recovery as well as increasing confidence and connection 84 .
An important component of peer work is the provision of ongoing support as well as high levels of training and professional development opportunities. These opportunities can then create pathways to employment in these areas if desired.
The NEDC 85 acknowledges that one of the key barriers to peer participation in eating disorder services is a lack of training to allow them to participate effectively and safely. EDQ emphasises the importance of providing adequate training and support for peer workers.
