Community Eating Disorders Service

Assessment

We offer an in-depth multi-disciplinary assessment with the whole family/carers. This includes:

• Questionnaires completed by the young person and carer(s)
• Physical health information
• An in-depth interview

The assessment takes around three hours (we would advise you bring a snack for when we have a break).

We will take physical observations and request blood tests and an ECG from your GP before assessment which are reviewed by the team.

The in-depth interview involves talking to the young person and their family/carers all together and separately. We ask about developmental and medical history, family history and other mood problems. We also ask in-depth questions about eating behaviour.

After the in-depth interview, a consultation happens with the wider team considering all the information, including the questionnaires. This is then fed back to the young person and their family/carers, and if the young person meets the criteria for a diagnosis of an eating disorder then it is also given.

Care plans and treatment plans are discussed during this feedback session. You will be allocated a care co-ordinator following assessment who will arrange your next steps with us and be your first point of contact.

If you do not receive a diagnosis we will offer some advice during the feedback session and appropriate signposting to more suitable services.

We offer NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) concordant treatments, which vary depending on your diagnosis.

There is a range of treatments, which can include:

• Family-Based Treatment: This is a therapy which has the best evidence base for treating young people with eating disorders. This requires the whole family (including siblings) to attend weekly sessions where the family are supported and empowered to help the young person recover from their eating disorder.
• Specialist Supported Clinical Management: This is mainly medical management where physical observations are made regularly and short ‘check ins’ are offered. They assess, identify and review key problems with the aim of weight restoration. Psychoeducation and nutritional advice is also given.
• Dietitian: Our Dietitians support people to trust that eating a balanced diet is the right thing and can ensure nutritional adequacy for individualised diets. This can be offered alongside other treatments.
• Family Therapy: Our family therapists help families make sense of the impact that an eating disorder can have on their relationships. They work collaboratively with your family using your own strengths and resources to reach your goals.
• Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT): Our team offers CBT, which helps explore thoughts, feelings and behaviours that the individual wants to change. Our psychologists may also offer other types of individualised therapy if appropriate.
• Art Psychotherapy: This is offered by art psychotherapists who give individual sessions based on psychodynamic principles. Sessions are usually weekly for 3 to 12 months.
• Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy: This is offered by child and adolescent psychotherapists who provide consultation, individual sessions for young people, and parent support, based on psychodynamic principles. Sessions are usually weekly for 3-12 months.
• Group Therapies: Coping skills group: we offer a rolling group for all young people in our service, the group is facilitated by a therapist and an assistant psychologist. This group helps to manage your anxiety and distress through treatment and life stresses. Body Image group we offer an 8 session body image group when young people are a healthy weight and need some extra support and skills to manage body image concerns.

Parents/Carers Group

We run a 6-week rolling psycho-education group for parents and carers who are completing Family Based Treatment. This group gives essential information about eating disorders, understanding treatment and also to hear other’s experiences.

It runs every Tuesday 09.30-11am online. Following assessment you will be sent information regarding the group and the MS TEAMS link. We encourage all parents/carers who have any role in helping the young person attend. 

What parents/carers have said about the group

“The group was informative and helpful. It supported us through a difficult period.”

“The knowledge to educate us regarding the eating disorder was perfect. The parents group was an excellent opportunity to see how others are affected.”

We also offer a monthly drop in support group for all parents/carers that have young people in the service. This is online on the last Tuesday of the month and anyone is welcome to attend once they have had their first 6 week review.

The service treats young people who have an eating disorder and supports their parents and families, who are important in the young person’s recovery.

Eating disorders can be extremely distressing and can affect the whole family. It is crucial that specialist intervention is both prompt and robust in order to make life saving decisions about the young person in need.

Helping young people to restore lost weight and develop healthier eating behaviours is key for our service, as well as encouraging people to talk about their feelings and learn healthier ways of coping with things as they start to recover.

We welcome people from all backgrounds, cultures, nationalities and religions. Please share with us any information about things we can do to make your experience with us more helpful.

Nurses

We have a number of clinical nurse specialists who complete assessments, and co-ordinate and deliver treatments, such as family-based treatment and specialist supported clinical management.

Doctors

We have psychiatrists who may be involved in your assessments and treatments, including prescribing and monitoring of medication and reviews. A psychiatrist may oversee your care and review your treatments. We have specialist GP’s who support us with physical monitoring and interpreting blood tests and ECG’s as well as offering physical monitoring when required. We have a Paediatrician who you may see for physical examinations and consultations as and when necessary.

Dietitians

Our dietitians offer assessments and treatments. They use the current public health and scientific research on food, health and disease, which they translate into practical advice to help people make appropriate lifestyle and food choices. Our dietitians are also trained in NICE guideline treatments and may co-ordinate and deliver treatment alongside the nurses.

Therapists

We have different types of therapist within our therapies team including:

• Child and Adolescent Psychologists work with individuals and parents/carers offering consultation, parent support and individual psychoanalytic psychotherapy. 
• Family therapists offer assessments and the treatment they offer ( systemic family therapy) involves working with families to nurture change and development
• Art psychotherapists mainly offer treatments of one-to-one art psychotherapy.
• CBT therapists who work with individuals and families to deliver 1:1 treatment

“We were, from day one, left in no doubt as to the seriousness of Anorexia. We feel fully educated on the illness. Our daughter was listened to sympathetically and genuinely helped by all involved.” 

“We were grateful for the support and understanding, and being taught how to help our daughter when we had no idea what to do.”

“Everyone I came into contact with was so helpful in my daughter’s recovery.”

“My keyworker made me feel safe and comfortable at a time when I felt alone, attacked and angry. She let me open up without feeling judged and brought such positive energy which made me realise I actually wanted to recover.” 

“The service helped me stay out of hospital and turn my eating disorder around.”

“All the support I have received has been extremely helpful. I feel they really listened to me, they cared and helped me get better, healthy and happy again. The care I received was appropriate.”