‘Learning to Live…. With, through and beyond an Eating Disorder’ 2-day workshop

Empowering the Family to create Partnerships in Recovery, Learning to Live is a two-day seminar providing insight into the nature and function of eating disorders and exploring strategies for coping and providing support. This program addresses the medical, nutritional, psychological and behavioural management of eating disorders and engages professionals and families in discussion with individuals on the road to recovery.

We invite families to participate prior to deciding upon and commencing treatment, where that may be. This invitation comes with no expectation that you are planning to begin treatment with The Bronte Foundation. We welcome all families and professionals with an interest in the area.

The broad aims of ‘Learning to Live’ are to:

1. Give insight into the form and function of an eating disorder
2. Identify with the issues of caring for your loved one
3. Learn about medical, psychological, nutritional and behavioural management
4. Become articulate in the language and methodology of recovery and change
5. Identify strategies to help you to provide support and intervention
6. Encourage you to develop a plan for recovery within your context or community

We understand that your loved one may not yet be ready to change however we know that there is immense value in families being educated and informed. In particular it is helpful and empowering to know how to determine another’s investment in change and what can be done to enhance this.

For professionals who have an interest in the area of eating disorders, what better way to learn than from those who are living the experience?

For families, please think about including parents, partners, grandparents, siblings, friends and extended family members performing in the role of carer.

We have been overwhelmed by the response to this program. We haven’t advertised, and programs are often booked out in advance! Here are some comments from previous participants:

Learning to Live – Program Feedback

FROM PEOPLE WITH EATING DISORDERS

• The role-plays showed by family what I don’t feel comfortable about telling them about my illness and how it dominates me.

• Thank you for helping my parents and sister to cope a little better which makes me feel a little better. This is a great program and I hope you can run it forever.

• I feel lucky to have found this organization and the knowledge that it provides has put me on the right track.

FROM FAMILIES AND CARERS

• Every single person who comes into contact with eating disorders should attend this program: teachers, parents, doctors, grandparents, extended families, siblings…!

• Every Australian deserves the opportunity to have their eyes opened to the causes, effects and treatment options available for ED’s. To find compassionate, respectful people who understand what has been so long misunderstood and worse, mistreated, was fantastic. Thank you.

• I’ve learned more in one day here about eating disorders than in the eight months my daughter has been in hospital and asking the doctors, nurses and staff there about it.

• This program fills a huge gap in knowledge available to families with knowledge that is not transferred by medical practitioners involved in the treatment of ED’s.

• To see a tangible plan to deal with ED’s is a great relief as hospital/punishment approach we’ve experienced has been so damaging.

FROM PROFESSIONALS

• This course should form part of a medical practitioner’s studies and there is only one way for this to happen, more funds!

• This program provided a very coherent, readily understandable conceptual framework for guiding the treatment process.

• Learning the correct language and how to deal with the spin of the ED is essential to all carers and members of the treatment team. Without these teachings there is the potential to do more harm than good.

• I had not considered developing treatment non-negotiables before, I can see now how they are vital to recovery.

• Found the entire program very informative. Would appreciate something targeted to professionals with a specific therapeutic skills training

Follow Up Session

All participants of Learning to Live (L2L) are welcome to attend an individual follow-up session to help clarify options and assist with decision-making about treatment. Please let us know when you are registering to attend L2L if you wish to also schedule a consult. We reserve the Friday immediately after each L2L for regional, interstate and overseas attendees. Otherwise, we offer consults on an availability basis so please contact us to arrange a suitable time.