An eating disorder diagnosis is overwhelming, filled with fear, uncertainty, and confusion about the path forward. Knowing how to begin supporting your loved one effectively on their journey to recovery can feel like navigating uncharted territory.

Equip and F.E.A.S.T. have partnered to offer this vital support group, bringing together the clinical expertise of Equip with the invaluable lived experience mentorship of F.E.A.S.T. This session is designed to provide families and caregivers with concrete explanations, practical tools, and a strong foundational understanding to begin the treatment process with confidence. This session is led by Equip clinicians Melodie Simmons and Annie Hause and F.E.A.S.T. mentors.

We will begin with a brief explainer where our clinical experts and mentors will demystify the complex world of eating disorder care, providing clear, actionable information on the cornerstones of successful treatment:

• Medical Management: A comprehensive overview of the medical necessity of treatment, what to expect in terms of monitoring, identifying key medical risks, and ensuring the physical health and stabilization of your loved one is prioritized throughout the recovery process.
• Treatment Models: A practical introduction to evidence-based treatment modalities, including the central role of Family-Based Treatment (FBT) and other widely recognized approaches, explaining how these models work to facilitate recovery.
• Levels of Care: An explanation of the spectrum of care settings, from outpatient and intensive outpatient (IOP) to partial hospitalization (PHP) and residential treatment.

Building a Smoother Beginning: Strategies and Skills for Caregivers

The primary focus of the group will be on crucial strategies and practical skills essential for a smoother start to getting help and making consistent progress. Even if your family's journey with your loved one is past the very initial stages, this session offers valuable refinement and renewal of effective caregiving techniques. You will leave equipped with a greater understanding of the skills that can make your support most impactful.

A key component of this workshop involves introducing and exploring powerful psychological skills that help caregivers manage the inevitable stress and emotional intensity of supporting a loved one through an eating disorder. Drawing specifically from principles within Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), you will learn about:

• Radical Acceptance: Understanding how to fully and non-judgmentally accept the reality of the situation (the diagnosis, the difficulty of recovery, the necessary challenges) without approving of it. This skill is critical for reducing suffering and shifting focus from fighting reality to effective problem-solving.
• Distress Tolerance: Learning concrete techniques to help you, as the caregiver, get through acute emotional crises and intense urges without making the situation worse. These skills provide a necessary pause, helping you manage the emotional storms that can arise in the caregiving journey.

You will take away further resources to support your ongoing knowledge acquisition and ability to positively impact your loved one’s treatment engagement and progress toward lasting recovery. Join our clinicians, mentors, and a supportive community of other family members to gain the knowledge and skills needed to truly anchor your loved one's recovery.

(The 60-minute session will include a 30-minute presentation and a 30-minute supportive Q&A with Equip providers and FEAST caregivers.)