Support for parents and loved ones
Working together for recovery
Your support can make a meaningful difference. With the right guidance, you can feel more confident walking alongside your loved one through recovery.
Spotting signs of an eating disorder in someone you love
Eating disorders can be difficult to recognise. Your loved one may find it hard to talk about what they’re experiencing or may not realise how much they’re struggling.
Changes you might notice include:
Becoming more withdrawn or secretive
Feeling anxious or distressed around food
Developing rigid routines or behaviours
Experiencing changes in their usual eating patterns
Feeling driven to exercise or becoming distressed when plans change
Speaking negatively about their body or appearance
Experiencing changes in mood, confidence or energy
Struggling with anxiety, depression or obsessive thoughts
Get help today
This might be your first time reaching out for eating disorder treatment, or, you might feel like you’ve had lots of support before. Wherever you find yourself, we’ll meet you there.
How to help a loved one with an eating disorder
You don’t need to have all the answers. Learning more about eating disorders and listening with kindness can help you support your loved one as they access specialist care.
What to say
Choose a calm, private moment and focus on how they may be feeling, rather than food, weight or appearance.
You could say:
- ‘I’ve noticed things seem difficult at the moment. How are you feeling?’
- ‘I’m here to listen, without judgement.’
- ‘Would it help if we looked for support together?’
- ‘You don’t have to talk now, but I’m here when you’re ready.’
It can also be helpful to:
- Learn about eating disorders and how differently they can affect people
- Encourage specialist support and offer to attend an appointment
- Keep communication calm and compassionate
- Make space for time together that isn’t centred on the eating disorder
- Seek support for yourself and other loved ones who may be affected
Your loved one may not be ready to open up straight away. Stay patient and keep the door open. Remember that recovery is something you can support, but not something you have to manage alone.
What to avoid
Even well-meant comments can make it harder for someone to open up.
Try to avoid doing things like:
- Commenting on their weight, shape or appearance, including remarks intended as compliments
- Telling them to eat or simply stop the behaviour
- Turning every conversation or shared moment into a discussion about the eating disorder
- Using guilt, blame or threats to encourage change
- Pressuring them to talk before they feel ready
- Comparing their experience with someone else’s recovery
Instead, keep showing that you care about them as a whole person. Ask what would feel helpful and remember that their needs may change over time.
If the first conversation doesn’t go as you hoped, it doesn’t mean you’ve done something wrong. Give your loved one some space and gently return to the conversation when the time feels right.
“From our first meeting I knew my child would be in the safest hands. Orri gave my daughter the confidence and strength to face recovery. I will be forever grateful.”
– Parent
How Orri can support parents and loved ones
Family therapy
A supportive space to reconnect, share your experiences and move forward together with an expert family therapist.
Individual carer psychotherapy
Confidential one-to-one support to explore your experience of supporting someone you love, with a qualified and experienced family or systemic therapist.
Parent and loved ones support group
Our fortnightly group offers practical guidance and a welcoming space to care for your own wellbeing.
How we’ll support your loved one with an eating disorder
We’ll work closely with you, helping you understand your loved one’s care and feel more confident walking alongside them through recovery.
Day treatment
Our structured day treatment programme provides specialist support from our multidisciplinary team at our London clinic, while helping your loved one stay connected to everyday life.
Outpatient services
Flexible, one-to-one support from specialist clinicians, shaped around your loved one’s needs and stage of recovery.
Our approach to supporting loved ones
Supporting someone with an eating disorder can change the way everyday life and relationships feel. You deserve care and guidance too.
At Orri, we include loved ones in the recovery journey wherever appropriate. We’ll help you understand what your loved one may be experiencing and find ways to support them without losing sight of your own wellbeing.
Orri is rated ‘Outstanding’ by the CQC which puts our treatment in the top 1% in the UK.
91% of our clients complete day treatment and are discharged to lower intensity services in recovery.
Our treatment leads to significant psychological improvements, with 76% of clients seeing a reduction in eating disorder symptoms.
Our day treatment can keep people out of hospital and receiving treatment in the community, with 38% of clients otherwise at risk of hospitalisation. This is significant as hospitalisation can isolate individuals from their families, expose individuals to challenging environments, and disconnect people from their life outside treatment.
Client satisfaction is high, with 98% of clients willing to recommend Orri to someone in need.
Both in-person and online programmes enable significant recovery improvements, with no difference in outcomes.
You don’t have to do this alone
There may be moments when supporting someone feels like a lot to carry. We’re here to listen, offer guidance and help you find the right support for your loved one and yourself.
Our blog.
Hear from our team and clients.
Exploring motherhood and the impact of Eating Disorders treatment and recovery.
FAQs
Our best advice is to offer patience, encouragement, and a safe space to talk. Orri also provides family and carer support, ensuring you feel equipped to help while looking after your own wellbeing.
Orri offers carer psychotherapy and family therapy to support loved ones, family members and carers.
Yes, parents and carers are often included in collaborative planning.
Yes, Orri offers dedicated spaces for parents and carers to connect, share experiences, and receive guidance alongside their loved one’s recovery journey.
Parents and carers are an important part of recovery. We provide guidance and practical strategies to help families understand the eating disorder, communicate openly and feel more confident supporting recovery at home. Family Therapy can be added to any programme to offer a deeper level of support alongside your loved one. A variety of support groups are also available across our programmes to offer additional support.
A young person’s voice and circumstances are important parts of our approach. We recognise that engaging with eating disorder treatment can feel difficult, particularly when part of them may not yet feel ready to recover. Our assessment process helps us understand their individual needs, risks and capacity to engage, so we can consider what is the right level of support and how best to work alongside them and their family.