Caring for a Loved One with an Eating Disorder

The New Maudsley Skills-based Training

Find what you need to support your loved one's recovery

Are you supporting a family member or friend battling an eating disorder? It often feels like a struggle; you may feel lost, frustrated, or scared.  This comprehensive, evidence-based training program provides the skills, compassion, and practical strategies so you can make a meaningful difference.

When our daughter was diagnosed with an eating disorder, I was at a loss. I blamed myself and didn’t know what to do. The books I read at the time by professionals made me feel worse; they scared me, and I thought I had done things wrong. Then I found a book by another parent that made a huge difference. Fast forward fifteen years from that diagnosis, our daughter is well, and I have learned much more. During her recovery, there were things I didn’t know and behaviours I had that potentially prolonged her illness.

I don’t blame myself; I was doing my absolute best with all I knew (as I believe we all are), but had I known the information in this course back then, it would have made a massive difference to our family and our daughter's recovery.

None of us, as parents or carers, is to blame for our loved one’s illness, but by learning specific skills, we can make a massive difference in supporting their recovery, which is what this course is all about.

You Matter

Research now tells us that families and carers are vital to recovery. You are one of the most critical parts of your loved one's recovery team it matters that you have the skills to do it well.

Course Highlights

Expert-Led Curriculum: This course's content was developed by leading experts in eating disorder care, Jenny Langley, Gill Todd, and Janet Treasure.

  • Scientifically Proven Approach: Based on the renowned Maudsley Method, a gold standard in family-based treatment

  • Practical, Skills-Based Learning: Move beyond theory to gain actionable techniques you can immediately apply

  • Comprehensive Support: Learn communication strategies, emotional management, and recovery support techniques

  • Peer-led: Learning from someone who has been where you are is much easier. However well-meaning professionals are, they haven’t been there 24/7. I combine my personal and professional experience to support you wherever you are on the recovery journey.

  • You are not alone: Eating disorders can be isolating for carers as well as sufferers. Learning alongside people going through similar challenges is both supportive and reassuring.

What You'll Learn

Understanding Eating Disorders

  • Insights into the complex nature of eating disorders

  • Recognising signs, symptoms, and underlying psychological factors

  1. Communication Strategies

    • Effective communication techniques

    • How to create a supportive, non-judgmental environment

    • Strategies for difficult conversations

  2. Emotional Management

    • Coping mechanisms for families

    • Managing your own stress and emotional well-being

    • How to build resilience and hope

  3. Practical Recovery Support

    • Nutrition guidance

    • How to navigate treatment options

    • Supporting long-term recovery

What you will get

This course won’t cure your loved one, but it will help you support them more easily and effectively on their recovery journey.

  • You will feel more confident

  • You will feel calmer

  • You will feel less isolated

  • You will know how to help your loved one

How the course is delivered

Duration: Five x 2-hour sessions, either  2.5 days (typically a Friday, Saturday, and the following Friday or Saturday morning) or 5 evening sessions. 

  • Delivery: In-person at Platform Wellbeing 1 Pen-Y-Lan Rd, Cardiff CF24 3PG

  • Next Dates:

    • Evenings: Tuesdays 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th June and 1st July

    • OR (these are the same course but at a different time)

    • Friday, June 13th, and Saturday, June 14th, 10:30 am to 3:30 pm, and Saturday, June 28th, 10:30 am to 12:30 pm.

Investment in Recovery

Pay what you can afford

Your journey to becoming a confident support system starts here.

By attending this training, you're not just learning – you're giving your loved one the best chance at recovery.

I wish this had been available for us; it would have made a difference for our whole family.

These skills make such a huge difference that I want everyone to be able to access them.

I recommend a fee of £75, but you can pay whatever amount you can afford at checkout, including £0.

It will make no difference to the training you receive, and no one else will be aware of what anyone has contributed. It matters to me that you are comfortable with whatever your contribution.

Reserve your place now

After you have checked out I will email you within 48 hours to confirm the course you want to be booked on.

Disclaimer: This training is educational and supportive.

It does not replace professional medical treatment.

Testimonials

  • “It's been brilliant, it's helped so much. It's been so nice to be able to discuss all my concerns and find different strategies for dealing with particular situations. It's made me feel much calmer, reassured, and less alone in dealing with it.”

    Sarah


  • “Having Ruth and the other people on the group share their experiences has been invaluable in terms of finding strategies to try that will support recovery, but also in terms of being a way to help me feel resourced and therefore able to support recovery.”

    P.S

  • “Having been on the journey herself, Ruth combines practical tools with compassionate support and genuine insight into the daily challenges of supporting a loved one with an eating disorder. The programme is well structured and enabled me to gain additional skills quickly and easily compared to the previous two years' lived experience and reading. I feel more confident and resourced to support my family member effectively and have enjoyed the opportunity to share and learn from others in a small and trusted group. I would strongly recommend both Ruth and this programme to anyone who is struggling with the emotional and practical aspects of supporting someone with an eating disorder.”

    Elizabeth

 FAQs

  • No diagnosis doesn’t matter. The skills you will learn will be relevant wherever your loved one is on their recovery journey.

  • Now. The sooner you learn these skills, the sooner you can be more supportive of your loved one. You may have just discovered a problem, you may be many years in, or you may be somewhere in the middle, but it doesn’t matter. 


  • No. This course is for you as a carer. We can help you find resources for your loved one, but this is for you.

  • That’s OK. This isn’t about being the same; it is about learning skills that will work in your situation.


  • I didn’t want to hang out with other families whose children had an eating disorder; I didn’t want to be part of that club. There were many reasons: blame, shame, judgment, and fear. I get it; it is hard to acknowledge, and meeting others in a similar situation felt vulnerable. I promise you will be met with kindness, acceptance, and compassion. Please contact me if it would be helpful to speak about it. Only you can make the step, and I acknowledge you for overcoming your concerns.

Contact Information

For questions or additional information:

  • Email: ruth@ruthsteggles.co.uk

  • Phone: 07712512619