Eating Disorder Carer SupporT
Eat Love Live is excited to now provide families and carers of loved ones experiencing eating disorders with compassionate, evidence-informed approaches to navigating their support journey.
Combining her own lived experience of supporting her daughter through anorexia with qualifications and training in psychology, family therapy and peer work, our new service is led by Bliss Jackman who has experience in public and private eating disorder settings (most recently leading the lived experience team at CEED - The Victorian Centre of Excellence in Eating Disorders).
Bliss, as our Eating Disorder Carer Support Specialist, provides support and services to loved ones, carers and supporters of individuals with eating disorders. Her role is focused on supporting this wider network of people - not just the family members, but also friends, partners and flatmates who are caring for someone with an eating disorder.
Eat Love Live hopes to provide carers and their families with dynamic, skills focused support in response to needs that arise whilst supporting someone's recovery journey - be it validation and emotional support or practical strategies and guidance.
Supporting a loved one with an eating disorder? Discover how a single-session consultation can help you here.
what is an eating disorder carer support specialist?
Bliss Jackman, our Eating Disorder Carer Support Specialist, provides a dedicated support space, practical strategies, validation of their experiences and empathy rooted in her own lived experiences.
Bliss can help families and carers in the following ways:
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Provide a dedicated space for families and caregivers to discuss their experiences and concerns. The conversation highlights that families can sometimes feel isolated and distant from the treatment process, so Bliss's role offers them a place to openly talk about what they are going through.
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Offer strategies and solutions to help families support their loved one in a meaningful and helpful way. Bliss mentioned that families often want to do the right thing but may feel a bit lost, so she can work collaboratively with them to come up with practical solutions.
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Validate the human responses and challenges that caregivers face, such as feeling overwhelmed or needing to refill their own cup. The conversation emphasises the importance of this validation and providing a safe space for caregivers to express these feelings.
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Draw from her own lived experience to provide empathy and understanding that can be comforting for families navigating eating disorders. Her personal perspective allows her to relate to their experiences in a unique way.
Express your interest in eating disorder carer support by completing our Pre-Assessment Questionnaire here.
MEET OUR eating disorder carer support specialist
Learn more about Bliss Jackman on her profile page, including her current availability and how to book an appointment.
Why do I need my own support as a carer?
There are a few key reasons why someone might seek the support of an expert like Bliss Jackman, our Eating Disorder Carer Support Specialist.
Our new service is designed for:
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Loved ones, carers or supporters of someone with an eating disorder who are looking for support and guidance. This could include family members, friends, partners, flatmates, or anyone in a caregiving role.
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Those feeling isolated, overwhelmed or unsure of how to best support their loved one. Bliss can provide a space for them to process their experiences and learn strategies.
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Those with a specific problem, obstacle or challenge they want to work through in a solution-focused session.
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Those looking for ongoing support and a space to discuss the ups and downs of supporting someone with an eating disorder. Bliss offers both solution-focused single sessions and ongoing supportive sessions.
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Those seeking to connect with someone who has lived experience in this area. Bliss's personal experience supporting her daughter with anorexia provides a level of empathy and understanding that is in valuable for clients.
Unsure if this service is right for you? Chat with our Client Services team on (03) 9087 8379 or email: reception@eatlovelive.com.au
What will take place in a carer support session ?
Recognising that the needs of families and carers are as unique to them as the eating disorders experienced by their loved ones, sessions with our Eating Disorder Carer Support Specialist are personalised and tailored to those attending.
Sessions are skills focused yet dynamic and flexible, responding to needs that arise whilst supporting someone's recovery journey - be it validation and emotional support or practical strategies and guidance.
Common topics covered in session with Bliss are:
- Understanding the stepped system of care for eating disorders in Victoria
- The different options available in public and private eating disorder services
- The roles of different practitioners in a care team
- Understanding Family Based Therapy (FBT)
- Support when doing FBT at home
- Support transitioning through FBT stage 1 - 2
- Help navigating the system
Supporting someone with an eating disorder can be challenging, but you don’t have to do it alone. A single-session consultation might be all you need to get things moving in the right direction, or it could be the first step in a flexible approach to getting ongoing support.
If you're looking for a space to be heard, understood and supported, book a solution-focused single session with Bliss here.
do I need a referral to access Carer support?
There are no pre-requisites for families, carers or loved ones of those with an eating disorder who are wanting to work with our Eating Disorder Carer Support Specialist Bliss Jackman. You don't need a referral from a GP, nor does your loved one need to be a former, current or existing client of an Eat Love Live clinician.
If you are interested in working with Bliss, complete our Pre-Assessment Questionnaire to express your interest or call (03) 9087 8379 to discuss.